How to Train Your Dragon captures a truly fantastical world of Vikings and dragons. Following the tribe at Berk, the film trilogy explores the changing landscape as man gains power over dragons and the way this power is abused. The world of Berk offers a respite from this abuse and introduces a group of characters driven to do good. In this world of Vikings is the Viking queen, Astrid.
Though she was originally just a determined young girl learning to protect her tribe, Astrid soon becomes not only a trained dragon flier but also a skilled fighter and the queen of the tribe. In a world mostly led by men, Astrid plants herself as a respected and fearsome pillar in her community. She challenges the world around her and clings tightly to her morals.
Here are the top moments when Astrid showed herself as a strong pillar of girl power in her world.
Testing The King
When it came to Hiccup, Astrid did not compromise on her standards because of his title as king. This means giving it to him straight. Girl power doesn’t have to be kicking ass or taking names; sometimes, it means being honest and holding people accountable. The village might have backed down from voicing their full concerns because of Hiccup’s title as king, but Astrid never did. She spoke to him as the man she knew him to be and held him to his responsibilities as king.
Freeing the Encaged Dragons
At the start of How to Train Your Dragon 3, Astrid’s true strength and power are showcased within the first few minutes. Not only does she fight off dragon enslavers, but she also frees the dragons themselves. Her Viking fighting abilities and her determination to protect the dragons combine in this moment that screams “girl power!”
Getting Information from Eret
Another incredible beat of Astrid’s girl power is the moment she is in need of information. Her pride and confidence in both her abilities and her dragon are a perfect example of Astrid’s feminine power. In the face of trouble, Astrid does what she does best: rely on herself. She easily squeezes the information from Eret on where the dragons are being captured by dropping him from the safety of her dragon’s grasp and does so with a smirk on her face.
Standing Up for Herself
Standing up for yourself is and will always be an empowering statement of girl power. Far too often women are treated as doormats and walked over. This is something that Astrid cannot and will not stand for. She frequently voices the importance and strength of women. However, in this specific moment, Astrid stands up for herself when she is treated poorly. Not only is her girl power echoed in her sentiment to protect herself, but her ruthlessness is also cemented in her friends’ words, warning,5 and scolding Snotlout of the mistake he’s made by crossing Astrid.
Standing Up for Her Morals
In the moment when Astrid discovers Toothless, she voices her personal morals and holds her friend accountable. After talking to Hiccup, she stomps on him saying, “That’s for lying.” Astrid’s desire to ensure people treat her with respect and act in a morally correct manner is no less girl power than fighting for her village: both these actions demand positive change and respect. In both these cases, Astrid is the only one to stand up to the challenge on both ends.
Fighting to Protect Her Village
Quite possibly the most girl power moment for Astrid is the first time audiences meet her in the movie. Hiccup introduces the world of Berk amid a battle between Viking and dragon. The village is in full fighting swing, with villagers running to and fro with weapons in hand. Then we meet Astrid. In the fight for her village, Astrid proves herself to be fully capable. She walks away from an explosion as she sets out to defeat the dragons. Truly a powerful moment and a showcase of her strength.
It’s obvious that Astrid is a force to be reckoned with and a total symbol of girl power, and not just in the world of How to Train Your Dragon but in our real world.
If you’re looking to educate yourself on girl power IRL, read Bookstr’s article Eye-Opening Books on The Urgent Truth Behind Feminism.
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