Wednesday, February 19, 2020

I drink and I know things, overcoming what you are born into.


This was a tough one. I don't watch a lot of TV and couldn't think of a stereotype defying character from anything other than an animated film. Though he's not necessarily another race or ethnicity, Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones is "other." Though physically he id depicted differently in the show vs the book, the accomplishments remain the same. This is more astonishing if you are familiar with the books. Tyrion is a little person, a person with dwarfism. In the time of Game of Thrones, I imagine not many of his kind lived, and those that did, did not lead lives anyone would envy. Tyrion was fortunate to be born to a wealthy, powerful family. Still, little people at the time were thought to be stupid, inept, and were often the jesters and the butt of jokes. Tyrion was useless on the battlefield but he was not stupid. He spent much of his time drunk and in brothels, but also had a sharp mind. He read constantly and knew everything going on, as he was often ignored. He had a good heart and won the love of a beautiful woman and a place of power none would have thought possible.

This video is a compilation of his best moments. WARNING: These clips contain R rated content. 
A character to compare him to, or more contrast, is Loc Dog from Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. According to the stereotypes, he was exactly the perfect example of a young inner-city black man. If Tyrion had become who everyone thought he was, he would have been one of the jesters/players at Geoffrey's wedding. He would have become a bumbling idiot. Though at times, much to his advantage, many characters perceived him as such. Though I do believe his name alone at times won him favor, and saved his life, his own good deeds and effort also led to his successes.

2 comments:

  1. Tyrion overcame many stereotypes of being a dwarf to become one of the most powerful people in the series of Game of Thrones. Well written and great example of overcoming stereotypes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tyrion overcame many stereotypes of being a dwarf to become one of the most powerful people in the series of Game of Thrones. Well written and great example of overcoming stereotypes.

    ReplyDelete