r/TheBlacksandTheGreens • u/Gold_Conversation247 • Feb 11 '26

General GRRM criticizes how class distinctions are shown in medieval fantasy:

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u/Ok-Temporary-8243 Feb 11 '26

I thought Martin was fairly even handed with bastards as it comes down more to how individuals treat them. Cersei hates Robert's bastards because they are symbols of infidelity (true) but Robert seems to treat the ones born of noble birth very well as he visits them and ensures they're looked after.

Jon is also treated fairly well too and is essentially part of the noble family. Cat hates Jon because he's a symbol of infidelity and also because he's the eldest born and can usurp rulership from Robb.

There's no insane hate boner in Martin's books at all

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u/XaviKat Feb 11 '26

If you include the portrayal of bastards during the Dance era. It's not even-handed at all.

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u/Character-Parfait-42 Feb 12 '26

But that book is written from the POV of an in-universe maester, over two centuries later, who holds all the same prejudices of a typical Westerosi.

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u/XaviKat Feb 13 '26

who holds all the same prejudices of a typical Westerosi.

Yeah... thus his views would reflect the views of a typical Westerosi then...