The Differences between North and South in A Song of Ice and Fire with Special Regard to Religion

Bc. Milan Orávik

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

Táto bakalárska práca sa zaoberá náboženstvom v diele Pieseň ľadu a ohňa autora Georgea R.R. Martina. Ponúka stručný prehľad pôvodu náboženstiev uctievajúcich Starých a Nových bohov a zároveň ich porovnáva. Vyznávanie týchto dvoch náboženstiev je geograficky rozdelené na sever a juh kontinentu. Táto práca začína objasnením významu náboženstva v tejto sérii a jeho vnímanie jednotlivými postavami. Postupne vysvetľuje podobné črty Martinovho vymysleného sveta so stredovekom, jeho históriu a charakteristické črty týchto dvoch najvýznamnejších náboženstiev v Západozemi. Cieľom tejto práce je analyzovať hlavné rozdiely medzi severom a juhom tohto kontinentu, sústreďujúc sa najmä na náboženstvo. Hlavnou otázkou je, či existujú nejaké vlastnosti severanov, ktoré spôsobujú ich upäté lipnutie na zvykoch Prvých ľudí, vrátane uctievania Starých bohov. Analýzou náboženských, geografických a rasových prvkov diela je možné zovšeobecniť niektoré rozdiely. Posledná kapitola tejto práce sa celá venuje skúmaniu týchto rozdielov a hľadaniu príčin, ktoré za nimi stoja.

Abstract:

This bachelor thesis is concerned with the religion in George R.R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. It offers a brief overview of the origins and a comparison of particular differences between the religions of the Old Gods and the New Gods. The worship of those is restricted to the north and the south of the continent respectively. Starting with the clarification of the role of religion within the series and its perception by characters, followed by explanation of parallel features of Martin's created universe with the Middle Ages, its history and the characteristic elements of the two most prominent religions in Westeros, the aim of this thesis is to analyse the main differences between the north and the south, concentrating mostly on the religion. The crucial question is whether there are any personal traits that the northerners share, which would make them cling to the habits of the First Men, including the worship of the Old Gods. After analysing the religious, geographical and racial features within the series, several striking differences could be generalised. The last chapter is wholly dedicated to examining those differences and finding reasons behind them.

Keywords

George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Clash of Kings, Storm of Swords, Feast for Crows, Dance with Dragons, Westeros, religion, gods, Old Gods, godswood, weirwood tree, New Gods, sept, septon, the Seven, the Faith, First Men, Andals, north, south, northerners, southerners, winter, nature, the Middle Ages, customs, high fantasy, historical fiction

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 31. 3. 2016

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 2. 6. 2016
• Supervisor: Mgr. Zuzana Kršková, Ph.D.
• Reader: Mgr. Jiří Šalamoun, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Education

Bachelor programme / field:
Specialization in Education / Teacher Training in Foreign Languages - English Language