Home of the Dragon has come to an finish, and whereas the precise plot threads of the present are certain to be analyzed in additional element, what’s simply as attention-grabbing is the bigger image in regards to the character archetypes of the main figures. These personalities are largely drawn from basic fantasy and mirror figures in Sport of Thrones too.
So nonetheless their arc progressed or whether or not they lived or died, upon a primary watch it is easy to categorize these characters in these particular methods, as their ambitions, actions, and common roles assist to information the viewers’s understanding of them. Maybe these traits will evolve in future seasons.
The Misguided Patriarch – Viserys Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen was a peace-time monarch. He wasn’t simply the patriarch of the home of the dragon, he was additionally the patriarch to Westeros itself. His intentions have been all the time well-meaning, obsessive about the peace he had created and refusing to do something that may destabilize this.
However he was completely misguided in his political choices and certainly when it got here to his household. He tried to deliver his prolonged family members collectively, however this solely led to additional battle. He might need died lastly comfortable about how they’d been united, nevertheless it wasn’t going to final lengthy. There’s all the time an older patriarchal determine that simply does not fairly get it proper.
The Bold Inheritor – Rhaenyra Targaryen
Rhaenyra fulfills the formidable inheritor archetype that may be present in most fantasy fiction and might even be present in narratives that mirror different royal households. The determine that holds onto that inheritor function is all the time going to be pushing their ambitions, determined to know that energy though nonetheless discovering the entire course of fairly formidable.
Rhaenyra Targaryen is the inheritor in query with the character continually attempting to cement her standing as she will get older, frightened by what may occur if she does ascend the throne however completely decided to take her birthright. It is the sort of archetype that usually creates conflicts with different characters.
The Whisperer – Larys Sturdy
All through Sport of Thrones there have been various characters that may very well be classed because the Grasp of Whisperers: those that cover within the shadows, manipulating important leaders with their well-placed phrases and making certain they’ve all of the intel from the streets of the dominion.
Larys Sturdy is the following man in Westeros to step into this archetype, along with his awkward maintain over Alicent specifically turning into a big focus. Larys is aware of the way to get what he needs and is extremely highly effective, although many would overlook his important items.
The Estranged Rival – Daemon Targaryen
There’s all the time a rival to the throne who has change into an estranged member of the household. It is mirrored in wider fiction (Scar is an ideal instance because the menace to Simba’s reign). Those that meet the archetype are unpredictable, violent, and maybe even determined.
Whereas at instances Daemon Targaryen would possibly play the misunderstood brother and uncle, making an attempt to change into nearer along with his household, as a rule he is the jealous rival who feels he must be inheritor. Because the Dance of the Dragons unfolds, he’ll totally embrace this place.
The Biased Official – Otto Hightower
Inside any construction, there may be all the time a high-level member of the group who holds important energy, however wields it with bias that maybe works in their very own self-interests. They might characterize the crown or the nation, however there’s a corruption that seeps out of them. The Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood lore is one such instance of the archetype.
Otto Hightower is the Hand of the King and the official in query. Whereas he would possibly communicate for the monarch, his phrases are usually not as reflective of what the Targaryen chief would possibly need however are as a substitute influenced by Otto’s personal perspective. He even managed to govern the crown into a wedding that benefited himself.
The Grasp Schemer – Alicent Hightower
The Grasp Schemer has change into a stereotyped trope of the style that talks to a misogynistic mistrust of girls in basic literature. Roles comparable to Girl Macbeth have popularized the archetype, with the wives of highly effective males supposedly turning into grasp manipulators.
For the influential Alicent Hightower, she steps into this archetype, nevertheless it’s way more nuanced in its portrayal. Like different political operators enjoying the sport of thrones, she is a schemer, however she is so clever and does so to profit her personal kids who is perhaps owed the crown.
The Jealous Ex-Lover – Criston Cole
It is common to see ex-lovers who flip from greatest buddies to bitter enemies as a result of they really feel they’ve been slighted by the alternatives of their former associate. These persona varieties can usually change into bigger villains, or on the very least act as helpful idiots for many who really wield the ability.
The vengeful and jealous Criston Cole steps into that function in Home of the Dragon. The character was as soon as the lover of the princess, however when her obligation meant they might not marry, he refused to proceed on the identical path, as a substitute buying and selling his secrets and techniques for Alicent’s loyalty. He is a harmful operator and a helpful fool, certainly.
The Loyal Husband – Laenor Velaryon
In narratives the place a number one feminine character takes a significant place in authorities or the royal family, the archetype can come up of the loyal husband who helps that journey it doesn’t matter what. After all, the archetype can simply be gender-flipped as properly. Those that maintain the place are confided in and will be trusted with something.
Laenor Valeryon fills that function completely. He fulfills his obligation as greatest as he can, stands as much as tackle a much bigger function for his spouse, makes an attempt to assist her safe the throne, and even permits her to faux his loss of life for her to kind a brand new marriage. Though Laenor might need taken different lovers, this was fully agreed upon, with the Valeryon serving Rhaenyra fully.
The True Inheritor – Rhaenys Targaryen
Whatever the member of the family that feels they’re entitled to a high-profile place, or those that have been named inheritor regardless of not being greatest positioned to be pushed into that function, there are all the time those that are literally steadfast of their proper to rule. Stannis Baratheon was one such contender for the archetype in Sport of Thrones.
For Home of the Dragon, Rhaenys Targaryen is completely proper to really feel she is the true inheritor to the throne. Westeros ought to have handed to this mighty Targaryen warrior, however due to her gender, she wasn’t allowed to step as much as the plate. Her political choices since have been about making it again to that birthright.
The Revered Lord – Corlys Velaryon
There are these figures inside historic fiction that command a considerable amount of respect and energy. They’re very influential on the bigger stage and are regarded to for steering. In the event that they act, they might achieve this in their very own pursuits, however their actions all the time have a lot bigger penalties.
Corlys Velaryon is that very lord, preserving the identify of the oldest Velaryons intact whereas additionally waging warfare to cement his authority. He’s married to the true inheritor however has additionally served on the King’s council earlier than leaving out of selection. Whereas he won’t all the time be trusted, very like others who’ve matched the archetype comparable to Sport of Thrones’ Lord Arryn up to now, he can by no means be missed.
