Due to one of my religious discussion class, I recently been interested in how certain strong representations and imagery influenced by daily events provoke thoughts and discussions. Representation of the four horsemen of the apocalypse is one such example that comes to mind when considering our current environment. I remember how I binged watch The Game of Thrones TV series early on during the pandemic lockdown and encountered their version of the apocalypse.
(Friendly warning: spoilers for the show incoming.)
While the show’s depiction of the four horsemen appears visually appealing and cool, I also wanted to touch upon the consequences that results from an apocalyptic event using The Game of Thrones as a lens to peer through.
I specifically want to talk about the appearance of the four horsemen in season 5, episode 8, Hardhome, from The Game of Thrones tv show produced by David Benioff and Dan B. Weiss with the original story written by George R.R. Martin in his series, The Song of Ice and Fire. The four horsemen draws inspiration from the Revelation of John and the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The prelude to the White Walker’s appearance is an all encompassing snow shroud that bathes the entirety of the battlefield between the protagonists and the living-dead wrights at Hardhome, a fictional campsite located in the far North and surrounded by permafrost. The isolated long-distance shot of the four horsemen on top of their icy mountain gives the illusion that they were not here to negotiate nor compromise. Not only do they overwhelm the protagonists and the battlefield, but they exist to overwhelm the audience by being the sole thought that occupies the viewers’ mind as we think about the consequences of the apocalypse’s arrival. The fated coming of the apocalypse limits the option available to move forward. In the show, their choices were to run or to die. It forces people to make choices and the choices that they make have consequences in what other people might categorize them as. For example, in the show, those who chose to give up and die are added to the army of the death while those who attempts to run are apart of the living. If described in our world, the separation could be between those who chose to repent and seek salvation or those who reject and accept the consequences. Regardless, the event forces groups to be placed into different categories and when differences are observed the potential for discrimination rises. In our current day pandemic, some groups are better equip to deal with the situation and others not so much and those that aren’t could be further marginalized.
I think it is amazing how efficient and thought provoking intentional representation and imagery could be. I think it is a tool that should not be quickly overlooked when considering activism or interventionist project, but meticulously and purposefully utilized to draw out maximum benefits.
