i've always wondered if robert ever hit cersei before that. if he did, why did he tell ned it wasn't very kingly? he seemed remorseful but maybe that was because it was witnessed by ned. i dunno. still, i didn't think it screamed spouse abuse. especially since cersei seemed so unaffected by it. which could mean robert did hit her frequently or that she really didn't feel hurt by it. that relationship was so effed up :)
as for slapping joff, his reaction showed he was definitely not used to being disciplined. and yes, he was a cruel boy. i suppose it feels more acceptable because hitting a child to discipline them is more accepted than hitting your wife to discipline her.
but this fandom is really focused on the treatment of women in this series. i think the reaction to cersei is more about that. plus, we are always more forgiving of characters we like. that is very, very obvious in this fandom. fans always forgive catelyn's treatment of jon as expected and acceptable during the time period of the book. but the same fans cannot accept or understand the expected consummation of dany's & sansa's wedding night which was definitely normal for that time. go figure.
i HATE all the stark supporters who say ned and robb never did anything wrong and are perfect. good grief. but i suppose that is how they've been written. it is very clear that the author sees them that way and tries to paint them with those colors. same for stannis. he is introduced as a difficult character who feels slighted by his older brother and so most readers see him that way. its all grrm's fault!
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2011-10-09 12:57 pm (UTC)i've always wondered if robert ever hit cersei before that. if he did, why did he tell ned it wasn't very kingly? he seemed remorseful but maybe that was because it was witnessed by ned. i dunno. still, i didn't think it screamed spouse abuse. especially since cersei seemed so unaffected by it. which could mean robert did hit her frequently or that she really didn't feel hurt by it. that relationship was so effed up :)
as for slapping joff, his reaction showed he was definitely not used to being disciplined. and yes, he was a cruel boy. i suppose it feels more acceptable because hitting a child to discipline them is more accepted than hitting your wife to discipline her.
but this fandom is really focused on the treatment of women in this series. i think the reaction to cersei is more about that. plus, we are always more forgiving of characters we like. that is very, very obvious in this fandom. fans always forgive catelyn's treatment of jon as expected and acceptable during the time period of the book. but the same fans cannot accept or understand the expected consummation of dany's & sansa's wedding night which was definitely normal for that time. go figure.
i HATE all the stark supporters who say ned and robb never did anything wrong and are perfect. good grief. but i suppose that is how they've been written. it is very clear that the author sees them that way and tries to paint them with those colors. same for stannis. he is introduced as a difficult character who feels slighted by his older brother and so most readers see him that way. its all grrm's fault!