Daenerys at some point in AGOT crossed this line for me where I remember being repelled by her character. It was definitely present in the chapter after Viserys dies and all she does is move right along with her life and
I mean, yeah, I know he treated her horribly, but the lack of grief at his death and remorse
Exactly what I was referring to- I just didn't have the energy. Thank you! Not only did he die, but it was such a violent and horrible death. Also when she lies and kills the dude to get a free army of unsullied. And the gruesome death of MMD. The way she expects everyone in Qarth to give her shit for free so she can invade a continent they don't care about.
to paraphrase the foreshadowing from Jaime I in storm, it was when he remembered Aerys' death and was deliberating who to give the throne to. He thinks of Viserys and Dany, then thinks to himself how they have Aerys' mad blood. Not exactly like that, but implied. I think there have been hints since the beginning, as you said.
the only two predictions I'm sure of are Dany becoming officially mad and Ramsay Bolton getting killed by his own dogs.
“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
whitewolfstark, I think you basically just got to the heart of why I dislike Dany's chapters so much. To the point that I don't even like the beginning ones now because I know where they eventually will go. I just can't see her as a sympathetic character at any point now, even in the beginning where she still technically is one. I have heard postulated that Quaithe has been messing with Dany's emotions since the very first Dragon dream in an attempt to help her through her trials. I wonder more if it isn't just from her connection to the dragon eggs. They help her to bring the fire and blood side of her personality to dominance.
Mojo, I'm not sure I want to give her the benefit of insanity. With mental illness, I don't believe that you always have full control of your actions. I'm not sure that the truly insane can always reason out the consequences of their actions. However, I see Dany as fully in control of her actions and well aware of the possible resulting consequences. I'm just not convinced that she cares much about them.
Why must I always be the isle of crazy alone in an ocean of sensibility? The should to everybody else’s shouldn’t? The I-will to their better-nots?
Mojo, I'm not sure I want to give her the benefit of insanity. With mental illness, I don't believe that you always have full control of your actions. I'm not sure that the truly insane can always reason out the consequences of their actions. However, I see Dany as fully in control of her actions and well aware of the possible resulting consequences. I'm just not convinced that she cares much about them.
So let's agree that she's a sociopath, then, completely void of emotions and empathy. She does feel slavery is wrong, which contradicts this behavior, so I haven't quite figured that part out yet. She's pretty horrible, though. I think she should've forgiven Jorah. He did change his mind and stop the wine seller.
“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armour yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
So let's agree that she's a sociopath, then, completely void of emotions and empathy. She does feel slavery is wrong, which contradicts this behavior, so I haven't quite figured that part out yet. She's pretty horrible, though. I think she should've forgiven Jorah. He did change his mind and stop the wine seller.
Not sure she's devoid of emotion. But she does seem to be an entity unto herself.
The killing of Viserys cuts her off from real Targaryens as well as immediate family. The unintentional sacrifice of Drogo and Rhaego--also, cuts her off from family.
Dany's isolated, and sees herself above it all. Now riding a dragon--so, nothing to stop her from feeling superior. All that emotional distance--can easily see her fighting Aegon to the death for her power. With her dragons. Which would leave her in power--but still very much alone. Not good.
The Starks (re: Jon and Sansa) can annoy me no end. But they all still think of family and home with some loyalty and fondness. Dany's just disconnected. And scary. And kinda boring.
All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.