Legacy and Loyalty: An Application of Machiavellian Politics to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

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dc.contributor.advisorGarrett, Greg.
dc.contributor.authorMcCormack, Gordon
dc.contributor.departmentUniversity Scholars.en_US
dc.contributor.schoolsHonors College.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2019-05-21T14:01:31Z
dc.date.available2019-05-21T14:01:31Z
dc.date.copyright2019
dc.date.issued2019-05-21
dc.description.abstractThis thesis analyzes George R.R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire through the lens of Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince, relating the treatise's amoral political philosophy to the kings and queens of fictional Westeros. I particularly argue that, while Martin's cynical series advocates many of The Prince's practical and pragmatic tenets, the author disagrees with the famous assertion that a ruler is safer feared rather than loved. Martin applies the politics espoused within The Prince to a multigenerational view and reveals the instability of rulership built upon fear, showcasing conversely the strength of a subordinate's loyalty when garnered by love. I provide a brief historical background of both The Prince and A Song of Ice and Fire and showcase the similar contexts in which the works were written, before analyzing in-depth the politics and ideologies of several of Martin's fictional rulers and exploring his theme of political legacy.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2104/10554
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.rightsBaylor University projects are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.accessrightsWorldwide accessen_US
dc.subjectMachiavelli.en_US
dc.subjectA Song of Ice and Fire.en_US
dc.subjectGeorge R.R. Martin.en_US
dc.subjectGame of Thrones.en_US
dc.subjectMachiavellian politics.en_US
dc.subjectFantasy.en_US
dc.subjectPolitical philosophy.en_US
dc.subjectReal politik.en_US
dc.subjectPolitical legacy.en_US
dc.subjectPolitical theory.en_US
dc.subjectTywin Lannister.en_US
dc.subjectEddard Stark.en_US
dc.titleLegacy and Loyalty: An Application of Machiavellian Politics to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fireen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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