Is Game of Thrones pornographic?
This question has been a point of contention between the fans and detractors of the show from the very first season.
Even the most ardent fans of the show grudgingly admit the gratuitous nature of its content. But, they are quick to point out that the pornographic content actually serves a purpose. The sexual violence and graphic nude scenes of the show might seem like tools of titillating on their own. But, as part of the complex storyline, they make perfect sense. Such scenes are used to symbolize the shift in power dynamics or as tools of world-building.
So, the answer to the question Is Game of Thrones pornographic? It is not a simple yes or no.
Game of Thrones is an interesting study of the intersection of art and pornography.
The show definitely has a raw and provocative approach to presenting explicit content. But it also has an equally unflinching approach to presenting the most basic human behavior. The fantasy and the medieval setting of the show provide another layer of complexity that pushes its explicit content toward artistic status.
At what point does explicit content stop being mere titillation and become a medium of aesthetic expression?
What makes some forms of sexual content socially acceptable and mainstream?
These questions form the premise for a much more interesting discussion than merely saying whether Game of Thrones pornographic or not.
What makes Game of Thrones so popular, and what role does sex play in that popularity?
There are a combination of factors that make Game of Thrones a raging mainstream success and its popularity among the critics.
The show has a complex storyline marked by seamless integration of multiple themes of family, loyalty, political intrigue, fantasy, myth, and adventure. The characters have depth and layers. They are essayed by extremely capable actors. The cinematography and production value create an addictive and immersive viewer experience.
The graphic and erotic nature of its scenes often makes viewers question – is Game of Thrones pornographic.
Game of Thrones has definitely pushed boundaries when it comes to the depiction of explicit content and sexual violence in the mainstream. But, the sex scenes of the show are used as a narrative device that drives the story. The raw nature of the pornographic scenes is a erfect fit for the show’s realistic and non-romanticized medieval setting.
The show does not rely only on its sex scenes to captivate the audience. The graphic nudity and erotic scenes act as an added layer of interest rather than the entire story. So, the show has enough ambiguity to prevent you from confidently declaring ‘Game of Thrones pornographic.’
What is the difference between art and pornography, and how does Game of Thrones fit into this debate?
Art and pornography differ from each other in three major areas –
1. Form
The form or presentation of the art is an integral part of its experience. For instance, the brushstrokes in a painting or the camera angles in a film make up a key connection between the viewer and the art. In contrast, pornographic content is direct, immediate, and obvious. Any technique or complexity of presentation becomes a barrier that affects the clarity and immersiveness of the porn experience.
2. Aesthetics
Even if an artistic form is sexually explicit, it contains a complexity that disrupts the immediate sexual gratification of the viewer. The erotic art, instead of arousing the viewer, often creates ambiguity and discomfort. The broader aesthetics of the art evoke an intellectual and introspective reaction. On the other hand, pornography aims to enhance immersion, arouse raw desire, and suspend critical thinking.
3. Purpose
Art often reframes or adds complexity to challenge the viewer. It demands emotional and intellectual reaction that leads to introspection and shifts in thinking. The language of art aims to create an awareness about broader scorpio-cultural themes. In comparison, pornography dissolves the abstraction through vivid and explicit narratives. It creates an illusion of immersive and direct engagement with the object under view.
Game of Thrones fits into this debate because the show seamlessly merges pornographic content with artistic presentation.
The graphic and explicit scenes in the show are combined with intricate storytelling to put the focus on narrative purpose. The cinematography, acting, and the set design of the show have a high aesthetic value. The symbolism and narrative depth of the show create an intellectual engagement beyond mere titillation.
So, while the show has enough explicit imagery for you to say, “Game of Thrones pornographic” it never veers completely from the artistic aspects of the form.
Why is Game of Thrones considered “socially acceptable porn”?
Critics of Game of Thrones often refer to it as “socially acceptable porn.” Many fans of the show also grudgingly acknowledge the overtly sexual content of the show.
What makes something “socially acceptable porn?”
Socially acceptable porn refers to the explicit and erotic content that is accepted within mainstream society. In socially acceptable porn, nudity, sex scenes, and sensual acts are packaged as art or entertainment. As sexual gratification is very subtle and fits into the cultural norms, such content becomes acceptable for public consumption.
Socially acceptable porn is usually produced by reputable studios or premium streaming networks. The integration of sexual content into the main storyline and cinematic storytelling lends legitimacy to such content and makes it palatable for mainstream viewers. Many such TV shows and movies enjoy cultural acknowledgment in the form of approval from critics and mainstream awards.
How does Game of Thrones fit into that category?
Game of Thrones contains frequent scenes with graphic nudity and sexual content. The visuals of the show and the gaze are often lingering on this imagery. This has a titillating effect on the viewers rather than eliciting an appreciation for the artistic value of the scene. The show is also accused of using sexual violence in an exploitative manner for shock value.
But Game of Thrones delivers explicit content with a high production value. Even a new term, sexposition (sex + exposition), has been coined to describe the Game of Thrones technique of integrating key plot points in explicit scenes. Clever sexposition gives the impression that the sexual content is an essential part of the storyline, therefore acceptable.
The show has complex storylines, exciting characters played by reputed actors, and an immersive world-building. These factors legitimize it as a fantasy drama with mature storylines rather than mere pornographic content.
How does Matthew 5:28 factor into the author’s viewpoint?
Bible verse Matthew 5:28 states: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” As pornography’s intent is to evoke sexual desire or lust, one could accuse pornographic content as guilty of encouraging internal adultery.
Even though the visual aesthetics of the show push it into the category of art, the graphic content of Game of Thrones is not without moral consequences. So, from the viewpoint of a Christian, the show can not claim ethical ambiguity or aesthetic expression. The artistic elements of the show can not act as an offset for the pornographic content and legitimize it.
What does the Emilia Clarke situation reveal about our culture’s relationship with sex and entertainment?
Actor Emilia Clarke played the role of Daenerys Targaryen – a central character in Game of Thrones. Emilia had expressed that she had felt discomfort while shooting the scenes with explicit nudity in the show’s first season. However, she felt pressured to do the scenes as such scenes were considered an integral part of the story and an artistic necessity.
Her experience raised ethical concerns about informed consent and justification of exploitation of the actors as artistic choices.
The normalization of the explicit content in entertainment has also desensitized the viewers to its uncomfortable nature. The majority of the show’s fans accepted the raw and bordering-on pornographic content without question.