I've been watching some of Anita Sarkeesian's feminist frequency videos, mainly the issue discussing mystical pregnancies. One character I thought of when I heard this was Dragon Age's Morrigan.
I'm, of course, talking about Morrigan's ritual and her need to become pregnant with a Grey Warden's child. While she is not forcibly impregnated, I do this sort of falls under the mystical pregnancy trope as we're told that the child will play a major part in Dragon Age 3.
Other than that, Morrigan does manage to fill other feminine tropes such as being the busty mage with very skimpy clothing.What I want to know is that do you feel that the character of Morrigan is reduced to stereotypical or biological functions? I personally did not, but that's me coming from a male gamer. Also, I tended to pick Morrigan as my love interest because I felt there was a hidden vulnerability beneath her sharp tongue. But, that's just me.How did you feel?
Is Morrigan a sexist stereotype?
Débuté par
Burnouts3s3
, déc. 05 2013 08:25
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#2
Posté 05 décembre 2013 - 11:37
Potato Cat
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Of all the DA characters, I have a feeling if she does have a problem with them, she will have a problem with Morrigan and Flemeth. If you look at what she's promised as a stretch goal from the huge success she had with funding her video games series, there's. Also the Voodoo priestess trope that I think both of them could fall under.
But just because they do follow certain and often sexist tropes, doesn't mean the character is sexist. Both Morrigan and Flemeth are female characters who are thoroughly dedicated to their own personal goals, whatever they may turn out to be. So much so, it really goes against the traditional use of that trope where as Anita pointed out, it's done to an unwilling or unknowing woman. Morrigan is fully in control in the DR situation. The child is almost certainly not harming her in any way, there's no terrifying situation that we know of.
But just because they do follow certain and often sexist tropes, doesn't mean the character is sexist. Both Morrigan and Flemeth are female characters who are thoroughly dedicated to their own personal goals, whatever they may turn out to be. So much so, it really goes against the traditional use of that trope where as Anita pointed out, it's done to an unwilling or unknowing woman. Morrigan is fully in control in the DR situation. The child is almost certainly not harming her in any way, there's no terrifying situation that we know of.
#3
Posté 05 décembre 2013 - 11:39
Angrywolves
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should be in the dao forum.
I don't think of Morrigan as busty.She's not Kate Upton cat dancin'.
The pregnancy isn't a need. It's her way and Flemeth's way to gain power by having an old god under uncontrol.Power has meaning.
Allegedly Morrigan will be more humane and empathetic in DAI.
i think of Morrigan as special, likely her mom is a god or something similar.
I don't think of Morrigan as busty.She's not Kate Upton cat dancin'.
The pregnancy isn't a need. It's her way and Flemeth's way to gain power by having an old god under uncontrol.Power has meaning.
Allegedly Morrigan will be more humane and empathetic in DAI.
i think of Morrigan as special, likely her mom is a god or something similar.
#4
Posté 05 décembre 2013 - 11:46
jmadsen
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Does she follow under certain sexist tropes? possible. Is she a bad character because of this? no. I could write pages about how I think Morrigan Isn't just a character whose whole personality is meant to appeal to the horny male gamer, but why should i bother? anyone who has played Dragon Age: Origins knows that she has a fully grown personality and isn't there just, solely, to please the warden. She has her own motives, ideas and belifes and strive to reach them. She's a great character.
Also there was no "need" to get her pregant. That was an option. One, I might add, she suggested. I find it weird that a pregancy can't be used for the sake of the plot without it being perceived as demoting the women to her base functions. It was an option for her to gain a powerful advantage over her mother and she took it, if the player accommodated her choice.
Also there was no "need" to get her pregant. That was an option. One, I might add, she suggested. I find it weird that a pregancy can't be used for the sake of the plot without it being perceived as demoting the women to her base functions. It was an option for her to gain a powerful advantage over her mother and she took it, if the player accommodated her choice.
Modifié par jmadsen, 05 décembre 2013 - 11:47 .
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#5
Posté 08 décembre 2013 - 01:28
Tormagar
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I'm not sure if you even noticed in the video, the woman who voice acts for Morrigan (Claudia Black), she is actually showed in the video you posted at 2:22 "Stargate SG-1 'Flesh & Blood". It's a little irrelevant but I thought it was interesting.
#6
Posté 08 décembre 2013 - 05:30
Ferretinabun
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On one hand, yes it is, because it taps into the idea of pregnancy as something 'alien', 'mystical' or (most ironically) 'unnatural' which is a running theme for the mystical pregnancy trope. Pregnancy here is meant to make you feel awkward, rather than be embraced.
But on the other hand I think there are certain qualifiers which mitigate the sexism somewhat. Firstly, and probably most importantly, it is entirely Morrigan's choice to get pregnant - she is not just a biological vessel being violated. Secondly, we do not know the consequences yet. It is entirely plausible that Morrigan's attitude to the child is appropriately maturnal and will be given the emotional impact it needs - I mean I wouldn't bet on it, but it's still just a wait-and-see right now. Thirdly, she does not immediately become dependent on the father the moment she gets pregnant - she not only decides to have a baby, but to raise it herself too (I mean, yes she might allow you to join her as co-parent, but on her terms - you have to do the chasing. She doesn't just fall into your arms). So on those terms, I think this 'mystical pregnancy' is easier to swallow.
But nice video though. Like most tropes it's so obvious (and a little worrying) when it's pointed out.
Tormagar - nice catch. I wasn't sure.
But on the other hand I think there are certain qualifiers which mitigate the sexism somewhat. Firstly, and probably most importantly, it is entirely Morrigan's choice to get pregnant - she is not just a biological vessel being violated. Secondly, we do not know the consequences yet. It is entirely plausible that Morrigan's attitude to the child is appropriately maturnal and will be given the emotional impact it needs - I mean I wouldn't bet on it, but it's still just a wait-and-see right now. Thirdly, she does not immediately become dependent on the father the moment she gets pregnant - she not only decides to have a baby, but to raise it herself too (I mean, yes she might allow you to join her as co-parent, but on her terms - you have to do the chasing. She doesn't just fall into your arms). So on those terms, I think this 'mystical pregnancy' is easier to swallow.
But nice video though. Like most tropes it's so obvious (and a little worrying) when it's pointed out.
Tormagar - nice catch. I wasn't sure.
Modifié par Ferretinabun, 08 décembre 2013 - 05:31 .
