Those with keen eyes and ears might recall that Tyrion’s father
Tywin was once the Hand to the last Targaryen to sit upon the
Iron Throne – “The Mad King” Aerys II. He is Daenerys’ father
and was killed by Jaime Lannister during Robert Baratheon’s
rebellion; of which whom is often referred to as “Kingslayer”
throughout Westeros.
It is largely believed across the GoT community that Aerys raped
Tywin’s wife Joanna on their wedding night, and that the pair
maintained a secret relationship for many years: up to six in
fact. Their illicit union supposedly resulted in the birth of
youngest sibling Tyrion, who Joanna died giving birth to.
You don’t have to know much about the show or books to know
that Tywin hated Tyrion. Most commonly because he
considered his son to be a “freak” and wildly disrespectful to the
house name. But it would seem all the more plausible that the
unrelenting hatred was because Tyrion serves as a constant
reminder that he is both not his true bloodline, and indeed a
byproduct of a heinous crime. It would also give additional
weight to Tywin’s decision to join Robert Baratheon in his fierce
and uncompromising rebellion against the Targaryens which
virtually eliminated the entire house.
Tywin was also extremely fond of publicly belittling and shaming
Tyrion, perhaps as a direct reflection of his treatment whilst
serving King Aerys who is believed to have made the head of
the Lannister house’s life miserable. Despite being raised
alongside brother Jaime and sister Cersei, the distance between
the siblings is extremely apparent, and that is largely to do with
the father embracing tormenting behaviour. The relationship
between Jaime and Cersei is extremely close… extremely , w hilst
even from the very get-go, Tyrion is deemed as the outsider; to
viewers and readers alike. It is clear to all that he doesn’t quite
fit into the family unity, image or mentality.
In the opening episode of Season 3 “Valar Dohaeris”, Tywin
delivers one of his many monologues about his ashamed son,
but this one is particularly nasty and memorable. “You are an
ill-made, spiteful little creature full of envy, lust and low
cunning.” he tells Tyrion.
In terms of psychical features – beyond his size, mind – Tyrion
also shares distinct similarities to that of the Targaryens. In the
books, it is explained that he has both green and black eye
colour (a strong indicator of mixed bloodlines), and hair ‘so
blonde it seemed white’. Both Dany and her now deceased
brother Viserys have long, flowing silver-blonde hair, unlike the
Lannisters who all share golds.
If you watch the show closely, you’ll recall an extremely
important realisation in the first season when Robert’s Hand of
the King Ned Stark (also deceased…) knew categorically that
Joffrey was not the son of the King and Cersei Lannister
because every other Baratheon boy has been born with brown
hair.
To further strengthen the complex relationship shared between
supposed father and son, fewer moments rendered Tyrion and
Tywin quite like in Season 4 which concludes with the death of
the Lannister’s leader. After months of imprisonment, trials,
discrimination and ill-treatment as the Lannisters and King’s
Landing are convinced that Tyrion poisoned King Joffrey at The
Purple Wedding to Queen Margaery Tyrell, it all boils to a head
in the season finale “The Children”. Tywin brings lineage to the
very forefront of rapport when he tells Tyrion directly “You’re no
son of mine,” after he has been shot in the gut with a crossbow
arrow.
But “Home” really solidified what was up until then merely
speculation amongst fans. Tyrion loves dragons. A creature
entirely representative of House Targaryen. So much so that
their house emblem is a three-headed fire-breather. Nobody is
able to connect with, or even approach these mythical beings
apart from those worthy enough. Dragons are more than a
currency or a name; they simulate a God-like power.
Tyrion expresses to Varys, Missandei and Grey Worm that
dragons are extremely intelligent creatures; ones which should
be respected and certainly not locked away. They understand
and accommodate to those who reciprocate such tolerance. He
believes that he can befriend them and let him remove their
restraints without becoming a human piece of charcoal.
During the nerve-shredding exchanges with Rhaegel and
Viserion, Tyrion explains how he had always longed for a dragon
ever since he was a young boy, so much so that he cried himself
to sleep after begging his uncle for one on his Nameday. It is
also written in Martin’s novels that Tyrion has had dragon
dreams which is a signature trait of Targaryen mind
experiences.
And to refer back to the Targaryen emblem; it has widely been
commented on that the three-headed dragon must be reflective
of three principal figures in the bloodline. So far there is believed
to only be one single Targaryen left – Dany – but armed with
the theory that Jon Snow (Ned Stark’s bastard) is half Stark and
half Targaryen, literally making him ‘the song of ice and fire’,
and now possibly Tyrion, the three heads are complete…
What are your thoughts on this theory (and it is a theory , just to
relay…) Let us know in the comments below.
