The show House of the Dragon must address its issues with female characters.

It seems that history is repeating itself once again in the world of Westeros. Rhaenyra Targaryen, the once beloved female character in House of the Dragon, is following a familiar path of descending into madness when given power. This may sound all too familiar to fans of Game of Thrones, as we saw a similar downfall with Daenerys Targaryen.

However, this time there is not much HBO can do as the show is based on George RR Martin's book which tells the history of Westeros and the decline of the Targaryen dynasty. It's unfortunate that within this fantasy world, there seems to be a problem with how women are portrayed. Despite having the creative license to imagine a world with dragons, the writers were unable to create a truly likeable and powerful female character who also embraces her femininity.

It's not realistic to expect a world without patriarchy, where women are not subjected to violence and shame, but surely there could have been room for a character who is strong, witty, intelligent, and wears a skirt. Some may argue that Daenerys Targaryen was a fan favorite until she became the Mad Queen, but even she inherited more masculine traits in order to be accepted and respected. It's as if the writers and producers couldn't possibly envision a woman being all of those things while also embracing her femininity.

This sends a concerning message to young girls watching the show, that in order to be liked and successful, they must reject their femininity and conform to masculine traits. It's true that the show has given us some complex and multifaceted female characters, such as Cersei Lannister, Sansa Stark, and Margaery Tyrell. However, they are still extensions of traditional female tropes that have been seen in literature for centuries.

It would have been refreshing to see a female character who is good and kind, but also funny, clever, and adored by all, just like Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow, or Jaime Lannister. In the upcoming seasons, it would be great to see Baela, the forgotten female character, come into her own and defy the expectations set by her male counterparts. But overall, there is a lack of hope for the female characters in the show.

Maybe there will be new female characters who will break the mold and change the tide for women in Westeros, but it's not something to hold our breath for. Of course, women should be celebrated in all their varying shades of femininity and masculinity. But within this fantasy world, it would have been revolutionary to have a female character who is powerful and celebrated without having to conform to masculine traits.

House of the Dragon may be a show set in a fictional world, but it still has the potential to challenge societal norms and show that women can be powerful and successful while also embracing their femininity. So as we continue to watch the story unfold in House of the Dragon, let's hope for more diverse and well-rounded female characters who break free from traditional stereotypes. And let's not forget to celebrate and embrace the different shades of femininity in all women.