Summary
Game of Throneswas one of the biggest TV shows of the 21st century, famedfor its jaw-dropping twists, politicking, and captivating battles. In the hit HBO fantasy show, the ensemble cast of characters have been praised for their variety and performances, as they depict individuals from all over Westeros who each contribute heavily to the narrative.
Due to the nature of the story, which features tons of conflict and warfare, there are severalcharacters that many consider to be polarizing, with these characters often found to have good and bad moments throughout their progression inGame of Thrones.
7Khal Drogo
A Brutal Warlord Who Assaulted Daenerys Targaryen
Khal Drogois a character who has become a fan favorite for many, famed for his badass attitude and appearanceas he leads the Dothraki. Played by Jason Momoa, Drogo is often viewed as polarizing, with the character starting as an abuser of his new wife, Daenerys Targaryen, treating her as a slave for his own pleasure.
Drogo’s behavior changes as he spends more time with Daenerys, and the two become a formidable couple as they lead the Dothraki throughout Season 1 before the Khal’s untimely death.
6Sansa Stark
The Only Stark Who Learns To Play The Game
Aspart of House Stark,Sansa Starkbecame a character audiences root for due to her family being the “heroes” of the story. Despite this, Sansa has not always been looked upon fondly inGame of Thrones. At the show’s beginning, Sansa is shown to be a snobby teenager keen on marrying the repulsive Prince Joffrey Baratheon. After suffering at the hands of Joffrey, audiences empathize with the trapped noble, as Sansa is stuck in King’s Landing under the prying eyes of the Lannisters.
As Sansa grows up and escapes King’s Landing, she starts to play the game, with the eventual Lady of Winterfell undermining her siblings Jon Snow and Arya Stark. During Daenarys' downfall, Sansa is one of the biggest perpetrators, as she reveals Jon’s heritage to people in positions of power, such as Tyrion Lannister and Varys. Despite her scheming, Sansa remains loyal to her family by doing her best to protect the ones she loves.
5Stannis Baratheon
The Rightful Heir To The Throne Put Too Much Trust In A Red Priest
Stannis Baratheonis a character who goes through many ups and downs duringGame of Thrones,falling victim to the whispers of a red priestwhile in pursuit of the Iron Throne. Stannis' push for the crown comes after Ned Stark’s letter revealing that Robert Baratheon’s children were all illegitimate. While Stannis is the rightful heir to the Throne, his hardened personality makes it difficult for the people in Westeros to back his cause.
With Melisandre at his side, Stannis performs acts that alienate his supporters and ruin his family, with the sacrifice of his daughter, Shireen Baratheon, being heart-wrenching, and the final straw for many viewers. Despite being led astray by Melisandre, Stannis was an effective commander and an honorable man who still cared for his daughter, showing he had some good in him.
4Theon Greyjoy
A Coward Who Sought To Reclaim His Honor
Early inGame of Thrones,Theon Greyjoyemerged as one of the show’s most prominent villains, with the House Stark steward being famed for his betrayal of Robb Stark when he holds Winterfell hostage. After being captured by the Boltons, Theon becomes a slave for Ramsay Bolton alongside Sansa, with the pair being brutalized by the eventual Warden of the North.
As his redemption begins, Theon helps Sansa escape from Winterfell, with the pair going their separate ways as Theon seeks to reclaim his honor by helping his sister, Yara Greyjoy, claim the Iron Islands. Theon’s story comes full circle when he returns to the North for the Battle of Winterfell, where hedies protecting Bran Stark from the Night Kingand the White Walkers.
3Daenerys Targaryen
As one of the main protagonists,Daenerysascends from nothing to become one of the most powerful rulers through her impressive leadership skills and her three dragons, the only such creatures in Westeros. Along her way to becoming the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Daenerys amasses support by freeing many slaves from captivity, earning her title “The Breaker of Chains”.
Despite her goodwill actions,Daenerys' desire for the Iron Throneleads to her downfall, as she kills thousands of innocents in pursuit of her father’s crown. Daenerys' descent into madness causes her to transform into her father, with the reveal of her lover Jon Snow’s heritage tipping her over the edge.
2Catelyn Stark
The First Lady Of Winterfell Caused Strife For Robb Stark And Jon Snow
Catelyn Starkis renowned for being highly divisive, with the Lady of Winterfell causing issues for many despite being the wife of the adored Ned Stark. As a member of House Stark, Catelyn acts as a senior figure in Robb Stark’s council. However, she eventually betrays her son by freeing Jaime Lannister in hopes of getting Arya and Sansa back in return.
In addition,Catelyn is known to have treated Jon extremely poorlywhen he grew up in Winterfell, with Catelyn despising him for being Ned’s illegitimate child. Even with Catelyn’s faults, many consider her as a cornerstone of the Starks, with her death at the Red Wedding being an emotional scene for audiences who would mourn her loss.
1Jaime Lannister
The Kingslayer Committed Many Atrocities But Also Fought For Redemption
No character in George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world of Westeros is as polarizingas the Kingslayer and knight,Jaime Lannister. InGame of Thrones, Jaime goes through phases of good and evil, with the character immediately becoming a villain through his near killing of Bran after pushing him from a tower window. After terrorizing the beloved Starks, Jaime undergoes a transformation, and his time with Brienne of Tarth turns him into a man of honor as he saves her from being assaulted, leading to Jaime losing his hand as a result.
Jaime’s relationship with his brother, Tyrion, is heartwarming, with Jaime being the only person to respect Tyrion despite his dwarfism. Even though he charters a better path, Jaime still possesses a dark side, like when the Kingslayer assaults his sister, Cersei Lannister, right next to Joffrey’s dead body. Jaime continued to dance between good and evil until his eventual death, as he perished with Cersei in his arms during Daenerys' invasion of King’s Landing.
