What is the prophecy that the Dothraki made about Daenerys?
In the mystical and intricate world of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, prophecies have a critical role in shaping the destiny of key characters. Amid the tumultuous array of events in the series, the prophecy made by the Dosh Khaleen, the wise women of the Dothraki tribe, about Daenerys Targaryen's unborn son stands as one of the most profound. Let's delve into the heart of this prophecy and explore its significance and implications.
According to the Dosh Khaleen, Daenerys and Khal Drogo's son would be "The Stallion That Mounts The World" – a phrase loaded with powerful imagery and implications. In the Dothraki culture, the horse is not merely an animal, it is a symbol of power, strength, and freedom. The metaphor of the world as something to be mounted underscores the scope and magnitude of the rule this prophesied leader would have. This Stallion is expected to unite all the people of the world under a single khalasar and mount the world as a horse, i.e., conquer it.
In the broader context of Game of Thrones, the prophecy adds depth and intrigue to Daenerys's storyline. At this stage, Daenerys has been traded as a bargaining chip by her brother Viserys for a promise of an army. She is far from being a ruler, yet this prophecy puts her in direct line to not just rule, but spawn a global conqueror.
It is crucial to remember, however, that the prophecy's primary focus is not Daenerys, but her unborn son. This shifts the power dynamics subtly. While Daenerys is the mother of the prophesied ruler, it is through her male child that she will command influence and power. This aligns with the traditional, patriarchal societies portrayed in the show, where power is generally inherited through male lineage.
So, if this prophecy is meant to come true, it promises a world united under a single khalasar, led by Daenerys's son, changing the geopolitical landscape of the Seven Kingdoms. But can prophecies always be taken at face value in the world of Game of Thrones?
Game of Thrones is replete with examples where prophecies are often layered with ambiguity, misinterpretations, and are not necessarily literal. From Cersei's 'Valonqar' prophecy to the Prince that was Promised, we have seen prophecies challenged, subverted and unfold in unexpected ways.
Applying this Socratic questioning to the prophecy of The Stallion, we might ask: Is the Stallion meant to be a literal person, specifically Daenerys's son? Or is it possible the prophecy refers metaphorically to Daenerys herself? After all, she is the one who unites Dothraki and Unsullied, the East and the West, 'mounting' different cultures and realms in a manner of speaking, akin to a world conqueror.
Furthermore, does this prophecy, and its seeming non-fulfillment after the tragic loss of Daenerys's son, form an argument about destiny and free will in the show? After all, Daenerys defies the prophecy's 'destiny' and carves out her own path, not as the mother of a conqueror but as the conqueror herself.
In conclusion, the Dosh Khaleen prophecy about Daenerys's son is a testament to the complex narrative fabric of Game of Thrones. Its intricate layers of meaning, potential for interpretation, and eventual defiance offer a rich lens to view Daenerys's character evolution, her struggle with power and lineage, and her ultimate ascendancy as a key player in the fight for the Iron Throne. It pushes us to question and probe the assumptions we make when we hear such prophecies, reminding us that in the world of Game of Thrones, nothing is quite as it seems.
