George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire is a highly intricate cobweb of characters — each individual is linked with those they are either allied with or against. HBO's Game of Thrones doesn't meander around the author's vision but embraces it fully and with pathos.

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That being said, several fans and critics have raised complaints about the representation of female characters, specifically noting the violence that many of them are frequently subjected to. While some of those arguments are justifiable, the fact remains that the women in Game of Thrones are hardly doormats for the men. In fact, many of them are extremely intelligent and insightful, often significantly more than their lesser halves.

9 Cersei's Limited Perspective Leads To Several Critical Errors In Judgment

Ned confronting Cersei Lannister about her children in Game of Thrones

Cersei schemes and twists her way onto the Iron Throne, although it can be argued that she does so on the shoulders of smarter people. Cersei's ambition, while significant, is also a major personal failing — her limited perspective prevents her from utilizing all the political options available to her.

She makes several critical errors over the course of the series, culminating with the execution of Missandei. This blunder triggers Daenerys into revenge mode, resulting in Cersei's inevitable death.

8 Ellaria's Significant Intellect Is Clouded By Her Zeal For Vengeance

Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones

Ellaria Sand is the definitive Dornishwoman: she is fiercely independent, strongly opinionated, and overwhelmingly passionate. Ellaria's hitherto mischievous personality takes a morbid turn following the death of her lover, Oberyn Martell.

She transforms into a vicious individual who does everything in her power to obtain justice. Ellaria leads Dorne on the path to destruction for no reason other than exacting her pound of flesh. The problem, however, is that Ellaria's significant intellect is clouded by her zeal for vengeance, explaining why she ends up at Cersei's mercy.

7 Brienne Learns How To Separate Common Sense From Ego

Game of Thrones' Brienne of Tarth wearing her armor in the forest

Brienne of Tarth is the only female Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the first woman to be given the honor in over three hundred years. She earns her position with undeniable bravery, loyalty, and honor, features that most characters in the show seem to lack.

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Brienne's intelligence is purely logical, but it must be stated that her pragmatism is due to decades of mockery from others. As such, Brienne has learned how to separate prudence from ego, even if she occasionally lapses into bouts of insecurity. She might not be witty or sassy, but she has something that sets her apart from the rest of the continent: insight.

6 Margaery's Flair For Tactfulness And Courtesy Make For A Deadly Combination

Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones

It's clear that Margaery's acuity is inherited from her grandmother, Lady Olenna Tyrell. The latter takes her granddaughter under her wing because she deems the men in her family incapable of political manipulation. Margaery uses her charms and her appearance to sway the minds of people, especially Joffrey, a character immunized against basic common sense.

Margaery's inordinate flair for tactfulness and courtesy allows her to make serious headway with both her royal husbands. In fact, her ability to function under the unspoken societal norms of Westeros is what makes her a challenging opponent.

5 Daenerys' Formidable Intelligence Erodes Over The Course Of The Series

Daenerys Betrothed to Khal Drogo

Daenerys Targaryen is initially cowed into submission by her brother Viserys' uncontrollable greed, but meeting Khal Drogo sparks a metamorphosis that turns her into a force of nature. Daenerys dominates the Free Cities of Westeros with the help of her dragons and her trusted advisors, but she is perceptive enough to make decisions on her own.

Daenerys' self-esteem is deeply linked to her belief that she is the best possible occupant of the Iron Throne, but this is exactly why her character arc concludes in a genocidal disaster. Daenerys ultimately lets her feelings get the better of her.

4 Ygritte's Political Thought Process Is Significantly Advanced By Westerosi Standards

Ygritte (Rose Leslie) from Game of Thrones

One of the most popular catchphrases spawned by Game of Thrones — "You know nothing, Jon Snow" — is coined by Ygritte, a member of the Free Folk from Beyond The Wall. While Jon obviously knows some things, this statement highlights Ygritte's extraordinary understanding of the human condition.

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Ygritte's razor-sharp wit and staunch belief in her cause make for a truly impressive combination. She is among the few characters in the story who advocates for democracy by illustrating the pointlessness of regal primogeniture as the basis for government. This suggests that Ygritte's political thought process is far more advanced than the system employed by Westeros.

3 Melisandre Comprehends The Internal Workings Of The Human Mind

Melisandre Game of Thrones

As a Red Priestess of R'hllor, Melisandre is blessed with a cornucopia of powers, all of which verge on magical territory. She obtains guidance from the Lord of Light in the form of visions, shadowbinding spells, pyrokinesis, and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to bring people back from the dead.

Melisandre's dedication to her faith often leads to decidedly unfavorable outcomes, like her suggestion to burn Shireen at the stake. On the other hand, Melisandre comprehends the workings of the human mind with an exceptional degree of accuracy, allowing her to make smart choices on countless occasions.

2 Olenna Is Arguably One Of The Brightest Minds In The Seven Kingdoms

Dame Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell at King's Landing in Game of Thrones

Olenna is a seasoned bureaucrat and arguably one of the brightest minds to ever exist in Westeros. She wields her sarcasm far better than a trained Knight wields their sword, and her calibrated actions consistently bear political fruit. Olenna has little time to spare for frivolous concepts like avarice and jealousy, which is why she doesn't let anything come in the way of her vision.

While Olenna's foresight eventually backfires on her in the end, she nevertheless shapes both the history and the posterity of the Seven Kingdoms. Olenna aligns herself with anyone she considers worth her while despite how much she despises them, proving that she can set aside personal convictions in favor of the grander scheme of things.

1 Sansa's Experiences Transform Her Into A Political Force Of Nature

Sansa Stark as Queen in the North Game of Thrones

Sansa's only childhood dream was to be a "proper lady," one she inherits from her mother Catelyn Stark. She doesn't desire power as much as the ornate prestige that comes with it. However, Sansa's downright horrific experiences over the show's eight seasons harden her heart and strengthen her soul.

Although her playful nature is crushed under the weight of circumstance, the untapped reserves of intelligence lurking in her mind are consequently given the opportunity to flourish. Sansa's political maturity is not without its downsides — the Queen she becomes is vastly different from the Queen she had always dreamed of being.

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