Prodromi illuministici a Essos? Il tema della schiavitù in Game of Thrones = Enlightenment forerunners in Essos? The issue of slavery in Game of Thrones

Abstract

Enlightenment forerunners in Essos? The issue of slavery in Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones has won the attention of several social scientists, including those dealing with economic issues. The way the author of the novels and the TV series showrunners deal with the subject of slavery reveals a far from superficial knowledge of the 18th century abolitionist debate. The paper aims to highlight the similarities between the ideas put forward in the dialogues of Game of Thrones characters and the political, juridical and economic reflections that we find in the Enlightenment authors committed to the abolition of slavery. In both cases, it is clear that – without an adequate reconfiguration of the legislative structure and a rational reorganization of the economic system – the freeing of slaves can have uncertain outcomes.