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Chapter 3: Daenerys
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in A Game of Thrones, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Politics and Power
Climate Change and Collective Action
Gender and Power
Honor and Integrity
Identity
Summary
Analysis
Robert arrives at Winterfell with his band of knights. Cersei, her twin brother Jaime, and their brother, Tyrion are also with Robert. Robert immediately asks Ned to go to the crypt, and Ned is touched that Robert places so much value on seeing the grave of Lyanna. Lyanna was Ned’s sister, and she was set to marry Robert before she died. Robert later killed Rhaegar (Aerys II Targaryen’s heir) to avenge Lyanna’s death. Lyanna’s crypt lies beside Ned’s father (Rickard Stark) and Ned’s brother (Brandon). Brandon was Rickard’s firstborn son, which made him the family’s true heir. He had been engaged to Catelyn before the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen ordered him to die. Ned hasn’t seen Robert for nine years, since they banded together to put down Balon Greyjoy’s rebellion. After Balon surrendered, Ned took Balon’s son, Theon, as a ward and hostage.
The novel again uses chapters narrated from the point of view of different characters to underline the complexity of the political landscape in which they live. In this case, Ned lays out a litany of offenses that the Targaryens committed, including killing or contributing to the deaths of his brother and sister. From Targaryens’ perspective, then, there are plenty of reasons to hold a grudge against Ned and Robert, whom they refer to as the Usurper. From Ned’s point of view, there are ample reasons to despise the Targaryens and think they should never hold power.
Themes
Robert tells Ned that Jon Arryn’s death seems to have driven his wife Lysa (Catelyn’s sister) mad. She has taken her son, Robert Arryn—Robert Baratheon’s namesake—to the Eyrie. Robert tells Ned that he’s come to Winterfell with a specific purpose in mind. Since Jon Arryn has died, he needs a new Hand of the King. The Hand is the second most powerful person in the Seven Kingdoms. The Hand commands the king’s armies and writes the king’s laws. Robert asks Ned if he will be the Hand. Ned isn’t surprised Robert has asked—why else would he have traveled so far?—but Ned has no interest in the role. He says he’ll need time to think about it. Robert says that if Ned comes to King’s Landing, perhaps his son Joffrey and Ned’s daughter Sansa could marry, uniting the families.
Ned’s lack of interest in the role of the Hand of the King—the second-highest position of power in Westeros—points to Plato’s dictum that “only those who do not seek power are fit to hold it.” In this case, Ned is an honorable leader who is defined by his characteristic integrity. He also has no interest in power. Following Plato’s logic, Ned’s lack of desire for power coupled with his virtuous tendencies make him a prime candidate to be a wise and virtuous leader. That idea sets the novel up to examine how true that idea actually is.
Themes
