Ejercicio B · Inglés PAU Madrid Ordinaria Lunes 2020

TEXTO B

The Real History behind Game of Thrones

George R.R. Martin holds his cards close to his chest when it comes to his inspiration for Game of Thrones – after all, too much information could spoil the plot. But he has acknowledged that much of the political intriguing that drives his series is inspired by the Wars of the Roses, when the Houses of Lancaster and York engaged in a bloody fight for the English throne.

Other historical parallels have been drawn by fans of the books and the HBO series. When Edward IV died, his sons Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury were mysteriously imprisoned in the Tower of London, and eventually disappeared. Many suspect they were put to death by their uncle Richard III, who became king. Sound familiar? Many have compared the Princes in the Tower to the disappearance of Bran and Rickon; though in Game of Thrones, the boys actually escaped, and two corpses burned beyond recognition were presented as their substitutes.

Like Yara Greyjoy, Empress Matilda was meant to take the throne when her father died but was pushed out by a male relative. And like Cersei Lannister, Margaret of Anjou exerted outsized influence for a medieval queen consort and fought vigorously for her son’s right to the throne.

The horrific Red Wedding has roots in the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692, when 38 members of the Clan MacDonald were killed by their own guests due to an unfulfilled promise of loyalty to the monarchs. Obviously, the killings constituted a serious transgression against the rules of hospitality. And the Wall along the northern border of the Seven Kingdoms bears a similarity to Hadrian’s Wall, built along the northern border of Britannia to keep out the barbarians (the Scots).

Adapted from “9 Books to Read about the Real History behind Game of Thrones,” Time, June 27, 2016. <https://time.com/4347517/game-of-thrones-history-books/>

QUESTIONS

B.1 (2 puntos) Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.

a)

Viewers and readers have pointed out similarities between Martin's story and historical events.

TRUE

FALSE

b)

There is evidence that Richard III killed two of his nephews to inherit the throne.

TRUE

FALSE

B.2 (2 puntos) In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions. Do not copy from the text.

a)

Why didn't Empress Matilda inherit the throne?

b)

According to the text, what happened to the Clan MacDonald and why?