A Game of Thrones, Chapter 56, Tyrion
Summary
Tyrion and his clansmen escort reach Lannister army. They meet with Lord Tywin. Tyrion gets up to speed with current events. Jaime destroyed Edmure’s host and has taken him prisoner. He’s laying siege to Riverrun. The clansmen join the army and march against Robb Stark.
Quotes
Even Brorm kept a respectful tongue around Timett. If a man was mad enough to put out his own eye, he was unlikely to be gentle to his enemies.
“No sword is strong until it’s been tempered,” Lord Tywin declared. “The Stark boy is a child. No doubt he likes the sound of warhorns well enough, and the sight of his banners fluttering in the wind, but in the end it comes down to butcher’s work. I doubt he has the stomach for it.”
Commentary
In this chapter we see where Tyrion got his extremely cynical attitude from. There is no love between him and his father. Imp’s cynicism is a defense mechanism he developed growing up deformed and unloved child.
As the story evolves the boundaries between good and bad (Starks vs Lannisters) start to fade. Not every Lannister has the cold heart of Tywin Lannister and not all Starks (and Tully’s) can be considered good. Moral ambiguity creeps slowly into the tale.
What I particularly like in this chapter is how Lord Tywin makes a mistake by underestimating young Stark. Ned has taught his boy well. He’s very smart and more importantly, he listens to his liege lords. His father would be proud.
Tags: Tyrion
