31 Things We Learned from the Game of Thrones Women

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10. Women don’t have to conform to traditional gender roles.

Brienne of Tarth

While we’ve talked a lot about the importance and validity of traditional femininity, the flipside of that is equally as true. Brienne may never become a wife or mother, but she’s found purpose beyond what was once expected of her. Her loyalty and sincerity to those she pledges herself to is unmatched. She has never wavered in her duties, and protects these people with all the altruism in the world.

Brienne holds herself up by her virtue and what is her duty to perform. She makes sure that she does what is necessary of her and follows whatever conduct she is following in that moment. Though the show is filled with strong women who hold to their beliefs, there is something about Brienne that sets her apart from all those women surrounding her,

As important as mothers and wives like Catelyn Stark have been to the story, Brienne is just as integral in different ways. At this point, they may not be so different, after all, considering that Brienne is now sworn to Sansa. In all likelihood, she’ll extend her shield to Arya and Bran as well, thereby protecting Catelyn’s remaining children as ardently as the woman herself would have done.