Post by voice on May 9, 2016 18:49:03 GMT
SlyWren, voice, Lady Dyanna, so the show the vows end with death, at least for Jon. Do you all think it will be the same in the books?
I can't speak for everyone, but I certainly see it going down this way. Jon did not just die. His life was taken.
What's more, is that he was not (unlike the show) murdered because Alliser Thorne wanted to make the Wall great again... he was killed "For the Watch."
The words matter, and Jon told the heart tree that his watch would not end until his death. He promised his life an honor to the Night's Watch. The Night's Watch then accepted that pledge, and literally took his life and honor... forcibly. While doing this, they said the words, "For the Watch."
Thus, his watch was ended.
It was ended by Bowen Marsh and his fellow mutineers. They held a reverse-choosing and ended the 998th Lord Commander quite absolutely.
I'm still torn on "until my death" and "for this night and all the nights to come." Interesting if one part comes from the original oath and one from the newer part of the vow. If that idea is correct anyway.
Sure, it's entirely hypothetical re older vow and newer vow.
While I appreciate markg171's argument, I think it is rendered moot by the entirety of the final sentence:
I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.
Yes, yes. "...all nights to come." But what has been pledged?
Life and Honor.
They ended his Life and Honor "for the Watch."
Mark seems to be suggesting that the vow means that Sworn Brothers' deaths are also pledged to the NW. I don't see it that way. I think the 79 sentinels are a great example of what sworn brothers look like who have decided to fight on even after life. They are literally encased in ice...like the Others.