Game of Thrones: Chapter 9: Tyrion AKA a Typical Lannister Breakfast

This chapter opens with Tyrion awaking in the Stark library. Here we learn that the Starks have amassed quite a large collection including some rare scrolls and texts. As he leaves the library to get breakfast he encounters Sandor & Joffrey discussing Bran’s condition.  Sandor seems eager or at the least to have little patience for Bran to die as we learn Bran is in a coma from his fall. Joffrey meanwhile seems to be more annoyed with the fact that Brans wolf howls at night and disturbs the princes sleep.

After being the butt of an ongoing joke from Sandor, which amuses the prince, Tyrion tells the prince he must go and offer his comfort to Lord and Lady Stark in light of the recent events. Joffrey argues and Tyrion slaps him a couple of times and then we assume Joffrey goes on his way to do as his uncle requested. Joffrey even looks like he is about to cry, but just nods before leaving.  

We then the get the following exchange between Tyrion and Sandor.

The Hound: “The prince will remember that little lord.”

Tyrion: “I pray he does. If he forgets, be a good dog and remind him.”

It’s a small exchange but considering future events it seems to be something that Sandor has actually taken to heart. Later actions will show that Sandor Clegane actually takes steps and measures to curb Joffrey's more base nature, as we shall see in the scene with Sir Dontos, as he tries to indirectly influence him towards a more decent path.  

This scene also serves to set up tyrion as a likable character. The author has established the Lannisters as the bad guys who are doing underhanded and disgraceful things, but Tyrion seems to be the exception to this rule.

This scene certainly goes a long way to setting that up as well as setting the tone going forward between Joffrey and Tyrion.

Tyrion then goes and joins his sister, brother, niece and other nephew at breakfast. Cersei is not pleased to see him join them and is somewhat cold to him. Again this begins to set the tone for the relationship between the two and the reader gets a sense of mutual disgust between the two that goes far beyond the normal sibling rivalry. In addition we also get a glimpse of the relationship between Jaime and Tyrion and that they are clearly on far better terms as opposed to his relationship with his sister.  

Another direct juxtapose of mindsets is also displayed as Prince Tommen asks about how Bran is doing. This is actually a genuine concern about the boys well being as opposed to Joffrey and Sandor simply being annoyed with the situation. Tommen even states he doesn’t wish Bran to die.

Tyrion relates that the master believes Bran will live, which is news that make both Prince Tommen and Princess Marcella happy. Tyrion being observant notices a glance between Cersei and Jaime even though it only lasts a moment.

The supernatural link to the direwolves is eluded to as Tyrion notes when they closed the window to the room Bran was in the boy seemed to weaken, but when it was opened again the boys heart seemed to be stronger.

Queen Cersei states the wolves are unnatural and believes them to be dangerous and doesn’t want them going to King's Landing when they depart Winterfell.

The chapter ends with Tyrion revealing he plans on traveling to the Wall with Benjen and Jon Snow while the others return to the capital. But there are two passages that stand out to me at the end..

The first is the following exchange between Jaime and Tyrion regarding how Bran will have to live out the rest of his days should he awaken. Earlier in the conversation Tyrion noted the fall broke Bran’s back and shattered his legs and that if he wakes he will never walk again.

I think the following passage is a bit revealing on the part of Jaime.

Jaime: “Even if the boy does live, he will be a cripple. Worse than a cripple. A grotesque. Give me a good clean death.”

This passage heavily intones that Jamie may define his worth on his physical prowess and capabilities with his sword arm. After all a knight who can’t wield a blade or ride a horse may not be of much use in his line of work. We see him wrestling with these issues in A Storm of Swords when his sword hand is lost.

The last exchange between the two brothers stands out as well and may indicate a bit of differences in the mindsets.

Tyrion: “I hope the boy does wake. I would me most interested in what he has to say.”

Jaime: “Tyrion, my sweet brother, there are times when you give me cause to wonder whose side you are on.:

Tyrion: “Why, Jaime, my sweet brother, you wound me. You know how much I love my family.”

I think he does indeed have genuine affection for his brother, nieces and at least for his nephew Tommen. His ongoing issues with his sister, father and Joffrey are well noted, but I think Tyrion, being observant has a desire in some way to repair some of the damage done by his family’s reputation.

Clearly he is aware of the fact that Ned didn’t approve of how Lord Tywin took Kings Landing though trickery during Robert's Rebellion, Jaime’s reputation as a Kingslayer is another black mark upon the family’s reputation. While neither Cersei nor Joffrey have any black marks against them in the public eye, Tyrion knows exactly what type of people they truly are having had to endure the torments of his sister his entire life and as we shall see the cruelty of Joffrey.

It is in this that perhaps Tyrion seeks to in some way guide Joffrey back to being a more respectable person and thus sought to compel him to go to Ned and Catelyn and offer his sympathies and services. While it goes against Joff’s nature it’s obviously the nice and compassionate thing to do and Tyrion is well aware of this.

In doing so perhaps he seeks to in a way shape the future of his family so that in the event that something unfortunate does occur, people will recall more than just all of the underhanded, vile, dishonorable and prideful actions that his family name has come to be associated with.

In short while the Lannisters seek to attain power Tyrion seems to be attempting to offset the more ruthless and power hungry tactics the rest of the family employs by trying to ingratiate members of his family with other nobles and thus win them over as allies. In this setting where honor and loyalty is a recurring theme and something that many people judge others on,  Tyrion is trying to repair the damage done by appealing to the humanistic sides of people in their hour of need.

Nobody can argue the wealth and power, both political and militaristic, of house Lannister. But if they are thought of as being ruthless and heartless in this pursuit as opposed to being trustworthy and noble players in the game of thrones then they will not find friends that are truly loyal to them, as opposed to being bought or blackmailed into obedience hard to come by.

Game of Thrones: Chapter 8: Bran AKA Things I do for love

This chapter opens with Bran reflecting that nearly everyone has gone off hunting and on the futures of the Stark family. He is excited for the opportunity to travel south and in many ways to live out his childhood dream of becoming a knight and perhaps even a member of the Kingsguard.

It’s likely that many of his dreams have been fueled by stories from Old Nan. He list off his heroes from the stories he has heard. Serwin of the Mirror Shield, Ser Ryam Redwyne, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, the Twins Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk, the White Bull Gerold Hightower, Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning and Barristan Selmy who is commonly referred to as Barristan the Bold are all brought to his memory.

This may offer some insight as to Bran’s aspirations for the future. He certainly sees himself as becoming a great knight and maybe even a member of the Kingsguard. In addition it may also offer some foreshadowing as we know the author likes to use this sort of thing as a literary tool.

So lets take a look at these heros of Bran and what themes and virtues young Bran may be aspiring to embody as a young boy.

Serwin of the Mirror shield slew a dragon and also saved a princess from giants. Ser Redwyne was notable in tournament victories. Ser Aemon was noted for not only his swordsmanship but also for his noble character. Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk were brothers who tragically ended up killing one another in a duel over a differences in a war over royal succession. Ser Hightower fell to Eddard Stark and several allies at the Tower of Joy during Robert’s Rebellion, but prior to doing so he demonstrated unwavering loyalty and courage in not fleeing when Ned showed up with allies and he and the rest of the Kingsguard who fell were outnumbered. Another knight who also died at the Tower of Joy and is an apparent hero to Bran is Ser Arthur Dayne who Brans dad had so much respect for he returned the fallen knights sword to his family after his defeat. Ser Arthur was also known for defeating the outlaw band the Kingswood Brotherhood by winning over the the small folk of the kingswood by addressing the grievances and bring them before the king.

So we can see the following themes embodied by Bran’s heroes: Facing the supernatural, courage, skill, dedication, nobility of character, loyalty, resolve, justice, a sense of duty, even sacrifice and willingness to die for what one believes in. In short many of the qualities in what one would consider a truly heroic knight.

We also learn a bit about the order. There are only seven members of the Kingsgurad and like the Night’s Watch they have no wives or children and are considered to be the finest swords in the land.

Bran even got to see a few of the Kingsguard who accompanied King Robert to Winterfell. Ser Boros, Ser Meryn, and Ser Jaime Lannister. However he notes that Ser Boros and Meryn don’t look like what he pictured as Kingsguard. He does think that Jamie seems to him what a member of that order should look like.

This is a nice reminder that Bran is still a young lad and perhaps a bit naive when it comes to judging books by their covers. His brother Rob even tells him that Jamie should not count as a Knight as he slew the Mad King and thus broke his vows as a member of the Kingsguard.

Further we also learn that Bran has yet to give his direwolf a name. We also learn the names of the other direwolves. Rob named his Grey Wind, Rikkon named his Shaggydog, which Bran thinks is a kind of stupid name.

Interestingly enough that that all the others have named their wolves, and if we assume that having named the wolf somewhat suggests that a foreshadowing of the corresponding Stark then this could suggest to the reader that the Brand’s future is uncertain.

Bran, after giving up on teaching his wolf to play fetch, decides to go for a climb up the weirwood tree in the godswood, across the castle and up the broken tower. Again we get a description of Winterfell and learn that it’s not all built on a level field. There are passages and gaps within the walls where he can pass through. Again if Martin based aspects of Winterfell of the Roman hypocaust systems then this explains these passages that are seemingly unused.

Bran recalls his father's comments that Bran is a squirrel when he was once found sleeping in a tree. This is in a sort of humorous way at foreshadowing events for Bran in A Dance with Dragons.

While on his climb of the broken tower he hears voices discussing the appointment of Ned as Hand of the King. From his vantage point Bran can only hear the two speaking and can’t tell whom it is. It turns out to be Jamie and Cersei Lannister and we get a bit of reflection from them on Roberts decision.

Essentially Cersei doesn't like the idea and wishes it was Jamie who was appointed to the position. Cersei seems concerned that Eddard is planning on making a move against the Lannisters.

Jamie, for his part doesn't want the job citing it would be too much work and to be fair as a Knight and member of the Kingsguard it’s not really his area of expertise.However he is glad that Robert named an honorable man as opposed to someone who is more ambitious like either of the king's brothers or Littlefinger.  

This provides some insight to the mentality of Jamie and is also one of those sentences that can be taken in multiple ways. Lets get the full quote:

Jaime Lannister: "We ought to count ourselves fortunate", the man said "The King might have as easily named one of his brothers, or even Littlefinger, gods help us. Give me honorable enemies rather than ambitious ones, and I'll sleep more easily at night."

Now this could imply that Jamie is grateful to have someone of honor as the Hand of the King, who will at least be trustworthy and do the honorable thing instead of be more deceitful and cunning in instances where they don't agree. On the other hand it could also mean that as Ned is honorable he will be much easier to predict and manipulate as his honor will prevent him from using underhanded and less than noble tactics. Or perhaps he means both.

The conversation then turns to Lysa Arryn and they seemed concerned that she may have been told something that her late husband may have learned. Further she is concerned that as Lysa has fled to the safety of the Vale with her child she may be emboldened to reveal what secrets her late husband may have shared with her. Cersei goes as far to state that her silence would have been ensured had her son been fostered at Casterly Rock as a sort of hostage.

Bran decides that he needs to see the people speaking and moves along his climb to get a better view. It’s at that time when he witnesses Jamie and Cersei beginning to commit incest. (Or Twincest as it’s become commonly referred to.)

Bran slips but catches himself. Jamie pulls him up preventing him from falling to the ground. After pulling Bran up and asking his age Jamie says with loathing:

Jaime: “The things I do for love.”

And then shoves Bran back out the window, who falls to the ground below.

Clearly from the beginning the writer is establishing the Lannisters as the loathsome family that is to be seen as the villains of the tale. From a literary standpoint this is a nice method to hook the reader into the story. Ned's disgust with them and referring to them as an “infestation”, the mysterious message from Catelyn’s sister, Joffrey actions in the practice yard, and finally Jaime and Cersei not only plotting in secret but cuckolding the king and partaking of incest. This clearly is the family to hate.. Well perhaps with the exception of Tyrion, who is the next POV character in the next chapter.

Fun fact the first 8 Italicised words of this chapter provide the following "Stay on ground level, that best you listen.” While it’s unlikely the author intended this it is sort of funny that this is the sort of advice Brans mother wanted him to follow.