Bill Clinton had Hillary Clinton. King Leonidas had Queen Gorgo. The bad ass right hand women who i think gets overlooked by fans of the film because she does not participate in any of the fight scenes. The version of Queen Gorgo I shall be talking about will be the one portrayed by Lena Headey in Zack Snyder’s film, 300. Whenever i’m asked who my favourite character is her name usually springs from my mouth before i even have time to think ( in fact my favourite member of 300 is actually Astinos but since this is woman crush wednesday… ). Like i mentioned before i will be concentrating on the film version as opposed to the actual historical figure or even as she is shown in Frank Miller’s vision as she hardly appears in the graphic novel, although i will throw in some historical facts so it makes it easier to understand how and why Gorgo was the was.
Historically wise Queen Gorgo was known for being the daughter of a King of Sparta, the wife of another king of Sparta, and the mother of a third king of Sparta. Apart from her lineage being a noble woman of sparta meant she was well fed, encouraged in daily physical exercise, and educated, including literacy and numeracy. Gorgo would have been taught to ride and drive chariots and been encouraged to take part in Sparta’s many festivals, dancing and singing in chorus.
The quote that best describes Queen Gorgo and thus the ladies of sparta is when the persian messenger comes to sparta to sweet talk Leonidas:
Queen Gorgo: Do not be coy or stupid, Persian. You can afford neither in Sparta!
Messenger: What makes this woman think she can speak among men?
Queen Gorgo: Because only Spartan women give birth to real men!
I find this conversation so powerful because not only is this the first time of who you see is really in charge but it also shows that she fears no man and is able to stand for herself.
In time of doubt remember it is Gorgo that guides/instructs Leonidas and all she does is speak nothing but truth which is a big contrast when compared to all the government officials who are meant to have spartas interest at heart:
King Leonidas: Then what must a king do to save his world when the very laws he has sworn to protect force him to do nothing?
Queen Gorgo: It is not a question of what a Spartan citizen should do, nor a husband, nor a king. Instead, ask yourself, my dearest love, what should a free man do?
Queen Gorgo loves her husband but understands that they are only paint drops in a bigger picture. She understands the concept of warfare, where Leonidas would be the head and the heart Gorgo is the heart and passion which fuel them both even when she bids farewell to Leonidas she knows he is leaving for the greater good:
Queen Gorgo: Spartan!
King Leonidas: Yes, my lady?
Queen Gorgo: Come back with your shield, or on it.
King Leonidas: Yes, my lady.
Before she kills Theron ( who has raped her and is also trying to frame her which in essence is her own personal battle she is participating in while her husband is away fighting ) the speech she gives to the council is one that you could expect a king or leader to give. She shows that she is equal to her husband to the council who were so ready to believe the lies told about her by Theron by showing she is more than ready to kill for country.
So in a round up of Queen Gorgo being the woman crush wednesday just so that we are all on the same page ( in other words that you have been paying attention ) she is headstrong, smart, loving, brave, beautiful and last but not least a mother. Queen Gorgo you are my WCW and with that the best way to send this off is see you next week and, “Ahoo, ahoo, ahoo!”
Rich Reviews
Twitter: woolongtalks
Facebook: woolongtalkspodcast
Instagram: woolong_long_talks
Tumblr: woo long talks
Woo Long Talks 