What is a Mommet?
In the complex tapestry of George R.R. Martin’s *A Song of Ice and Fire* and its television adaptation, a mommet is a small, often crude, doll. These dolls, also referred to as “wax dolls” or similar, are created with a specific purpose: to represent a person, often someone the creator seeks to influence or harm. They’re crafted using materials associated with the target – strands of hair, pieces of clothing, or even blood. The creation and manipulation of a mommet is a form of blood magic, tied to powerful rituals. The doll acts as a focal point, a conduit, allowing the user to enact effects, from illness and pain to, in some cases, outright death. Its creation requires a deep understanding of magic and faith. The power of a mommet relies on the perceived link between the doll and the individual it represents. It’s a belief-driven practice, where the power of the sorcerer and the vulnerability of the targeted subject intertwine to create a potentially deadly outcome.
Key Moments Featuring the Mommet
The visual language of *Game of Thrones* is rich, and the instances of the mommet are some of its most chilling. Several characters employed mommets to advance their ambitions and exact their will. These moments are crucial for character development and propel the narrative forward.
Melisandre’s Blood Magic
One of the most prominent users of mommets is the enigmatic Melisandre, the Red Priestess of R’hllor. Her use of these effigies is not merely a plot device; it’s a direct reflection of her power and the dangerous nature of her faith. Melisandre utilizes the mommet in several critical scenes, demonstrating her ability to wield blood magic with terrifying efficiency. Her manipulation of these dolls allows her to exert control over events, shaping the outcome of battles and influencing the fates of individuals. The most chilling instance is her involvement with Stannis Baratheon. By using a mommet crafted to represent Stannis’s brother, Renly, she orchestrates Renly’s assassination. This event sets Stannis on a destructive path, and highlights the show’s theme of how one action can cascade into far-reaching consequences. Her use of the mommet on others, and her justifications for their actions, further highlight the complexity of her character and her unwavering faith.
Arya and the Faceless Men
Arya Stark, a young woman forged by the fires of loss and revenge, also comes to utilize the mommet. Trained by the Faceless Men, a guild of assassins, Arya learns the art of killing through manipulation and deception. The Faceless Men, with their connection to death, use mommets in training, to hone skills and to simulate the intricate process of killing a target. While Arya does not directly inflict harm through a mommet in the way that Melisandre does, her time with the Faceless Men underscores the power that these tools possess. In doing so, it prepares her to become one of the greatest assassins in the show.
Symbolism and Underlying Themes
The mommet is more than just a tool of magic. It serves as a powerful symbol, reflecting the show’s broader thematic concerns. Analyzing its symbolism opens up further layers of understanding the series.
Control and Manipulation
The mommet is inextricably linked to themes of control and manipulation. The ability to create and control these dolls represents a desperate desire to seize control over fate. Characters who use mommets are often driven by a need to orchestrate events and manipulate others to achieve their goals. This desire for control is a central theme in *Game of Thrones*, a story about the relentless struggle for power. From the Iron Throne to the humblest of lords, every character is driven by ambition, and the mommet serves as a stark visual representation of this struggle. The act of creating a mommet is an attempt to bend the will of others to one’s own, demonstrating the lengths people will go to in the pursuit of power.
Power and Corruption
Closely related to control is the theme of power and corruption. The use of the mommet often involves making moral compromises. Characters using the mommet frequently walk a path of darkness, using deception, assassination, and manipulation to achieve their aims. The power to influence events through the mommet can corrupt those who wield it, leading them down a path of increasingly ruthless behavior. Melisandre, for example, justifies her actions as being “for the good” of her god, R’hllor. Yet her actions are often brutal and cause the deaths of innocents.
Fate vs. Free Will
The mommet also forces us to confront the question of fate versus free will. Is the magic of the mommet real? Does the doll truly influence the destiny of its target? *Game of Thrones* offers no easy answers, leaving the audience to grapple with the uncertainty of these issues. The manipulation of the mommet challenges the concept of free will. The mommet can change the course of events, suggesting that individuals are subject to forces beyond their control. But even in a world where magic is possible, characters must still make decisions that influence their fate.
The Power of Belief
The Power of Belief is yet another theme. The mommet’s effectiveness hinges on the user’s belief and the victim’s vulnerability. The show implies that a strong belief in magic can influence events, even if the magical practices are not fully explained. The audience is left to contemplate the power of faith and superstition.
Character Development and Narrative Significance
The mommet is integral to the development of key characters and drives the narrative forward.
Melisandre’s Arc
Melisandre’s use of the mommet is directly tied to her complex character arc. She’s a devoted follower of R’hllor. She uses blood magic to further her goals, often cloaked in religious zeal. Her belief in the prophecy of the “Prince That Was Promised” fuels her actions, even when they lead to tragedy. The mommet becomes a means for her to influence events, but it also reveals the moral compromises she is willing to make. Her reliance on blood magic exposes her vulnerabilities, and she ultimately pays a heavy price for her actions. Through the mommet, the audience sees the darker side of her faith and the lengths she will go to.
Arya’s Transformation
Arya’s training with the Faceless Men, and the subtle influence of the mommet, is instrumental in her transformation. Initially, she is consumed by revenge. The mommet, used during her lessons, represents the ability to inflict harm without physical confrontation. It provides her with the tools to eliminate her enemies and the skills that shape her destiny.
Plot Device
The mommet also serves as a crucial plot device, driving the narrative forward and creating suspense. The threat of the mommet is a constant source of tension, creating uncertainty and foreboding for the characters targeted by its power. Its presence keeps viewers guessing about the potential for treachery and death. The show uses the mommet to introduce twists and turns, keeping audiences engrossed in the unfolding drama.
The Mommet, Perception, and Audience Impact
The nature of the mommet also raises questions about the nature of magic itself within the world of *Game of Thrones*. The show never gives a definitive answer. Does the mommet possess real, verifiable power, or is its influence primarily psychological? The narrative often keeps the audience questioning its effectiveness, which is part of the show’s success.
The impact of the mommet is profound. It fosters suspense and intrigue, influencing the audience’s perception. The audience must constantly weigh the power of magic against the more “real” forces of war, politics, and human nature. The mystery surrounding the mommet generates a powerful sense of unease, making viewers question who is truly in control. The show cleverly leverages this ambiguity to create a more complex narrative.
Conclusion
The mommet, in its simplicity, is a potent emblem of *Game of Thrones*. From Melisandre’s bloody rituals to Arya’s Faceless Men training, the mommet weaves through the narrative as a symbol of control, power, and the constant dance between fate and free will. These wooden dolls represent humanity’s darker desires and the lengths people will go to in the pursuit of power. It becomes a reflection of the struggle for the Iron Throne and the individual quests for survival. The mommet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to tap into our primal fears and anxieties. It highlights the ever-present threats of manipulation, revenge, and the unknown. The mommet’s legacy will continue to fascinate viewers for years to come.
