Kit Harington plays Jon Snow on Game of Thrones and according to the media, the actor is sick and tired of being objectified. Welcome to our world, Kit! While looking for his exact quote today, I searched a few websites, looking for a site to link to that shares the actor's words without referring to him as a hunk, a heartthrob or eye-candy and without belittling his words. Honestly - a site like that was hard to find.
Why is it so hard to appreciate someone for his work, his commitment and for bringing a loved and appreciated character from a book to life through television? Do women have nothing better to do than objectifying a man simply because he appears on a hit television show? One wonders... The actor spoke to Page Six about being treated as nothing but a body:
Fox News writes about Mr. Harington's looks as well. In fact, they use the same words as above, plus a space and a comma. I'm not sure if the next website is intentionally trying to hurtful, however according to the website itself, it's "an entertainment website with celebrity news and pictures," not a satirical website. The Daily Stab writes that:
Thankfully People.com didn't feel the need to objectify the actor quite so much:
I understand there are enough people who appreciate the actor for his craft and his work, not just for his looks. Reading about the actor's exterior as opposed to his acting or his brilliant portrayal of a beloved character does make me wonder, however; what is the actor actually appreciated for, really? While I occasionally catch an episode of Game of Thrones and know most of the story lines, I'm not a regular viewer. Reading some of the blatantly sexist and - yes, I'm going to say it - demeaning comments about one of the show's leading men makes me think perhaps I should. In the past I've used this blog as a platform to speak out about the way some men treat women and the way some stronger people treat weaker people. Today I add the way some women treat men to that list. It almost makes me ashamed to be female. And no - I'm not going to end this post with a quick quip about anyone's abs, body or looks.
Why is it so hard to appreciate someone for his work, his commitment and for bringing a loved and appreciated character from a book to life through television? Do women have nothing better to do than objectifying a man simply because he appears on a hit television show? One wonders... The actor spoke to Page Six about being treated as nothing but a body:
Perhaps if Mr. Harington was a model strutting around on a catwalk instead of an actor, I could sort of understand if people saw him as 'just a body'. However Kit is an actor in a very succesful television show, not a model on a catwalk or a mannequin in a store window. He's not made or wood or plastic either and is not a toy or an object, certainly. Why then is he treated as such? For those who think I'm making a big deal out of nothing, read on. The Page Six article quotes Harington (above) before continuing:“To always be put on a pedestal as a hunk is slightly demeaning,” “It really is and it’s in the same way as it is for women. When an actor is seen only for her physical beauty, it can be quite offensive.”
“Well, it’s not just men that can be inappropriate sexually; women can be as well. I’m in a successful TV show in a kind of leading man way and it can sometimes feel like your art is being put to one side for your sex appeal. And I don’t like that.”
“In this position you get asked a lot, ‘Do you like being a heartthrob? Do you like being a hunk?’ Well, my answer is, ‘That’s not what I got into it for.”
Be that as it may, his ripped abs, sky-high cheekbones and soulful eyes have no doubt helped him remain gainfully employed. He has been a regular in the wildly popular fantasy drama since it hit the screen in 2011.
Fox News writes about Mr. Harington's looks as well. In fact, they use the same words as above, plus a space and a comma. I'm not sure if the next website is intentionally trying to hurtful, however according to the website itself, it's "an entertainment website with celebrity news and pictures," not a satirical website. The Daily Stab writes that:
The ‘Game of Thrones’ actor is clearly quite hot (most of the audience will agree he’s probably the best of the bunch when it comes to the guys on the show) and we all know he didn’t exactly land the role because he deserves an Oscar more than Leonardo DiCaprio ... Kit is frustrated that no one cares about his acting skills, when really he should be happy no one has noticed him as an actor (because even if he thinks it’s “art”, he isn’t exactly noteworthy).
Thankfully People.com didn't feel the need to objectify the actor quite so much:
Here's hoping, however, Harington, 28 – who stars as Jon Snow on HBO's hit show – doesn't mind being called sexy – he was named one of PEOPLE's Sexiest Men Alive in 2014.
I understand there are enough people who appreciate the actor for his craft and his work, not just for his looks. Reading about the actor's exterior as opposed to his acting or his brilliant portrayal of a beloved character does make me wonder, however; what is the actor actually appreciated for, really? While I occasionally catch an episode of Game of Thrones and know most of the story lines, I'm not a regular viewer. Reading some of the blatantly sexist and - yes, I'm going to say it - demeaning comments about one of the show's leading men makes me think perhaps I should. In the past I've used this blog as a platform to speak out about the way some men treat women and the way some stronger people treat weaker people. Today I add the way some women treat men to that list. It almost makes me ashamed to be female. And no - I'm not going to end this post with a quick quip about anyone's abs, body or looks.
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