George R.R. Martin, the creator of the hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, spilled the beans on what it takes to rule an empire like Westeros. Many kings and queens have tried, but they were all unworthy in the end.
First premiered in 2011, Game of Thrones tells the epic tale of several families from the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros as they fight against each other for the Iron Throne. The series obtained a solid and large fanbase over the years before concluding the story in 2019. It is based on George R.R. Martin’s novel series, A Song of Ice and Fire.
What It Really Takes To Rule In Game Of Thrones
Throughout eight seasons, Game of Thrones had several rulers who sat on the coveted Iron Throne. The first one fans have been introduced to is King Robert Baratheon, then followed by Joffrey and Tommen, until Cersei Lannister ascended to the throne. In the final season, Daenerys Targaryen challenged Cersei as both try to prove their claims to the Iron Throne.
Many fans felt disappointed with how the series ended, and some have mixed feelings about seeing Brandon Stark become the final ruler of Westeros.
During the San Diego Comic-Con panel for House of the Dragon, Martin talked about the qualities a ruler must possess in order to rule Westeros. To become the ideal king or queen of Westeros, one should not look at it as a birthright privilege but as a responsibility. Martin added that a strong ruler must learn to love and accept all aspects of leadership, whether they are constructing roads or preparing for battle.
The past leaders of Game of Thrones have proved to be flawed humans with complex personalities. One can indeed conclude that everyone who sat on the Iron Throne was unworthy of the glory. They all shared faults and fell short in one of each aspect of leadership, as Martin mentioned. In the end, the imperfections of these rulers made watching Game of Thrones interesting.
