Sexual Violence and Smallfolk: The Exploitation of the Sex Worker in Game of Thrones

Abstract

Praised for its strong female leads, pseudo-Medieval fantasy drama Game of Thrones (2011–2019) has also attracted criticism for its depiction and prevalence of sexual violence. While the rapes of major characters like Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) have been heavily criticized, sexual abuse of lowborn sex workers has attracted little attention. The author addresses this via the case study of Ros (Esme Bianco), one of three named sex workers in the show. Utilizing close textual analysis of her representational and narrative arcs, the author explores her experiences of sexual violence through the concepts of Debra Ferreday’s (2015, Game of Thrones, Rape Culture and Feminist Fandom. Australian Feminist Studies 39 (83): 21–36) rape culture, Myles McNutt’s (2011, Game of Thrones – ‘You Win or You Die’. Cultural Leanings. https://cultural-learnings.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-you-win-or-you-die/. Accessed 29 May 2011) sexposition, Elena Gorfinkel’s (2012, The Body’s Failed Labor: Performance Work in Sexploitation Cinema. Framework 53 (1): 79–98) sexploitation, and implied consent. The author argues that Ros is effectively a narrative device that drives the show forward, but her rape narrative frames how perceptions of her class and labor shape broader attitudes toward the women who are victims of sexual violence both on and off screen.