An Excess Of Riches…..The Great Characters of Game of Thrones

In any other story, Jon Snow would be the main focal point. Every other character would be there to serve his personal arc…….the one where we see if the young, disadvantaged bastard can somehow rise to greatness.

In any other story, Daenerys Targaryn would be the main focal point…….and we would see if this little, scared, abused girl can achieve her destiny as the “Mother of Dragons.”

In any other story, Arya Stark would be the main focal point…….and we would see if the plucky, resourceful tomboy can not only survive, but flourish in a dangerous world.

And on and on and on…….

There are so many characters in George R. R. Martin’s maze of an epic that would ordinarily be referred to as the hero on their “hero’s quest,” and then there are the complicated “anti-heroes” who would normally be the main character and we would see if they if they could find some sort of “redemption.”

At first I was alarmed to find just how many “main characters” there are in Game of Thrones. Who am I supposed to follow? How can I split all these loyalties? Will I remember everyone’s name?

And for a brief moment, I despaired that Papa Martin was telling a tale too convoluted and complicated for its own good…….but then I realized the genius of what he was actually doing.

He was really telling the rather simple tale of good versus evil, using “power” itself as the “real” main character.

Personal power…..legal power…..autocratic power……emotional power…..sexual power.

And he decided to populate this tale with vivid, complicated outsiders who chase, abuse, defend or seek that power.

External and internal power is actual main character here.

Gaining it….losing it…..and back again.

This grand thesis on power and the “outsiders” who interact with it brings out a kaleidoscope of humanity and what feels like a true examination of the human experience.

Will Tyrion find peace?

Will Sansa finally claim her inner power?

Will Jaime redeem his wicked ways?

Will Robb grow out of the shadow of his parents?

All of these questions, and many more, are played out like an elaborate chess game, but at the end of the day it’s these characters ability to move forward or to remain stuck that is the most interesting game of all…….

Onwards!