aureities

Seven things I love about Tyrion Lannister

It’s been ten months since I wrote an essay for A Song of Ice and Fire and what better way to get back on that track but to celebrate my most favorite character of the series, the mighty Tyrion Lannister who was also portrayed by the beautiful Peter Dinklage in the HBO adaptation Game Of Thrones. You already know why I love Bronn and why I love Sansa. So let’s now discuss what is it about Tyrion that has a grip on this girl’s heart, shall we?

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(7) HIS PERCEIVED ‘HANDICAP’

Tyrion was born with dwarfism at a time when this was seen as a curse from the gods. He was fortunate enough to belong to the richest family in Westeros but he remains an outsider because even his own blood shuns him. Mocked as the “Imp”, people always think the worst about Tyrion. Dwarfism may not be a curse, but the stigma of being born as one might as well be and it keeps following him around. This was his most enduring struggle throughout the books and has influenced his choices as he journeys on. When I first read his chapters in AGoT, I was amused by him because in spite of this so-called ‘handicap’, he has quite the personality and exudes enough confidence to make people around him believe he is not as vulnerable on the outside as much as he feels that he is inside. I think that was what earned my sympathies because it reminded me so much of myself as well.

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(6) HE OVERCOMES THE PREJUDICE BY USING HIS INTELLIGENCE

Tyrion knew he has a lot to compensate for and so he becomes passionate about being well-read as much as possible. It was a singular advantage he possesses that further endeared him especially since he claims that he thinks that “the mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone.” I also have the same attitude towards literature and perhaps this is why I’ve felt strongly that he and I are kindred spirits. Also, I was also insecure about how I look for the longest time and it was by nurturing myself mentally and having intellectual pursuits that finally helped me feel good about myself. I believe Tyrion also felt that he can achieve far if he studies things better than his enemies, and become more equipped with wits than mere physical strength.

His greatest weapon is also his biggest cover-up, however, because no matter how glib and clever, Tyrion is every bit of human like the next person; and sometimes he tends to cling onto his intelligence that it can become his safety net as much as it is a defense mechanism. All of us put importance on the things that make us powerful, and this is Tyrion’s asset. As people define him by his dwarfism, he defines himself with his brains. That’s not always healthy.

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(5) HIS SHORTOCMINGS TAUGHT HIM EMPATHY TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE’S FAILINGS

Tyrion is not only misunderstood because he is a dwarf; he is also a Lannister and the Lannisters are known for their ferocity, if not downright cruelty. Although there were specific moments in the books that Tyrion does show he is capable of such ruthlessness, he is also painstakingly thoughtful and genuinely concerned for people’s welfare. Being prejudiced against his whole life, Tyrion knows how utterly painful it is and wants to spare others from such fate.

All throughout A Game of Thrones, he helps out Jon Snow and Bran Stark out of the best intentions. He also cares for Sansa even if she couldn’t stand being around him. People never believe his kindness at all, however. His condition—alongside his slyness—isolates him from most people and this alienation drives Tyrion to aspire for even the tiniest piece of appreciation and approval. He is always eager to please the people he considers worthy of his affections and time, and he always had a tender spot for those who are misunderstood and going through awful things.

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(4) HIS DESIRE FOR POWER AND LOVE IS IMMENSELY RELATABLE

As a Lannister, Tyrion has ambition. As soon as he became the Hand to the king, he proves to be a formidable player in the game of thrones. Yes, he enjoys the deception a lot and even takes pleasure from imposing his superiority over those who have always mistreated him. However, the truth remains that power is hardly what he longs for the most—it is what comes along with it once earned that he wants. His greatest desire is for someone to see beyond his handicap, take him as he is and love him. That’s something we all can relate to. Most of the things he does are motivated by it—and sometimes he destroys himself in the process. He hungers for love and yet he has also an appetite for power and these two things can’t always be associated together. It can be difficult to distinguish one from the other; as well as interchange them. This can become problematic for Tyrion as well.

As written in this article from the Tower of the Hand: “Tyrion fucks whores, he buys friends, he uses his status as a Lannister and lives a life with pleasures most other people definitely lack. Many would be content with such a life, but not Tyrion. His heart’s desire is more basic, more elemental than all of that. It is a desire so basic, so trivial that it seems ridiculous to all but him: he just wants to be loved. It doesn’t really matter by whom. Tyrion will bind himself to anyone who accords him with the least respect no matter what. You don’t need to give him lands, titles or gold to make him your ally. All you have to do is to respect him.”

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(3) HE IS DRIVEN BY HIS FEAR OF REJECTION AND HOPE FOR REDEMPTION

As I’ve said before, people are horrible to Tyrion especially in the books. He hardens himself by ensuring he stays more intellectually adequate than his foes, but that armor can sometimes have cracks once in a while, especially when we examine his weakness for women. Tyrion grew up believing that it was his fault that his mother died giving birth to him. His older sister flat-out denies his existence and his first wife was brutally taken away from him. He has to buy a whore, and often gets lost in the fantasy she had him spinning for him benefit. Tyrion has rationalized that he is entitled to a certain compensation for his hardships. At one hand, he believes that if a good woman loves him, then all the disgust he feels about himself would be gone. But being smart as he is, he knew he can’t truly let go of his other pursuits, and would rather accept that he is ugly than risk the chance to be happy if it’s only transient. He has yet to reconcile with this.

Again from the same article: “All his compassion is driven by the need of acknowledgment. This makes him an ambivalent figure, since he is not as genuinely driven to good deeds as, say, Jon Snow. Ultimately, his altruism is motivated by a basically selfish desire. Since people are often judged by their actions and not their intentions, however, this doesn’t weigh too much on Tyrion. The generous Giant of Lannister towers over the Imp who craves acknowledgment and support. We don’t see Tyrion’s bright side too often, but when we do, we can experience a real and deep selflessness in him that touches the heart.”

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(2) THE BAD ‘GOOD GUY’ AND THE GOOD ‘BAD GUY’ CHARACTERIZATION

In an interview with Peter Dinklage back in season 1, he claims that this is how he plays Tyrion in the show. And I couldn’t agree more. Tyrion is capable of cruelty and destruction but he is also always ready to do the right thing because he doesn’t want to harm people when he grew up living in terror and pain his whole life with his family. That intriguing gray area of his character always pleases me and keeps me engaged whenever I read his chapters. He always makes reading ASoIaF such a delight and a challenge.

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(1) THE SUM OF ALL THE PARTS

Basically, I love everything about Tyrion; all the good and the bad parts because I find that there is an intimate connection between us since I share a few of his insecurities and philosophies about life, relationships and power. I am always floored by the gravity of Mr. Martin’s characterization about him, and will forever feel indebted to Peter Dinklage for bringing him to life in my screen. I can’t wait to watch his new interpretation of Tyrion this coming season. The countdown to 03.31.13 begins! ♥

“There are few characters as almost universally loved—and as irrefutably controversial—as Tyrion Lannister” ~Please read this amazing article: Half the Man I Used to Be

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[all the images included are not mine. Please PM me if you want credit]