Tyrion Lannister: Character Connection

We all have characters we love. Let’s spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too!

Most of you will probably post about how much you love each character, but this is a great place for the more creative ones among you to let go and have fun! Write a love letter to Captain Wentworth. Write yourself into a scene with Anne and Diana. Draw a picture of yourself in Jamie’s arms. The possibilities are endless.

Be sure to post the book’s title and author, and be very careful not to give away spoilers while talking about how much you love your characters.

Mr. Linky will be posted here on The Introverted Reader every Thursday.

Miniature of Tyrion sold by Dark Sword Miniatures, sculpted by Tom Meier, and painted by Marike Reimer

There is just something about Tyrion Lannister from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, beginning with A Game of Thrones, that I love. He’s a dwarf in a fantasy book influenced by the real-life Wars of the Roses that took place between 1455 and 1485. Not a good time to be a dwarf. Especially when your twin siblings are gorgeous, intelligent, and devious. What a lethal combo.

But Tyrion is more intelligent than they are.  Here’s what he has to say about that:  “I must do my part for the honor my House, wouldn’t you agree?  Yet how?  Well, my legs may be too small for my body, but my head is too large, although I prefer to think it is just large enough for my mind.  I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses.  My mind is my weapon.  My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind . . . and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge….That’s why I read so much, Jon Snow.”

He’s old enough to have learned to just let the inevitable insults roll off his back and give as good as he gets. Those who mock him almost inevitably walk away humiliated, even if they’re too stupid to understand that the subtle dwarf has insulted them. This reaction has practically become a reflex though, and even when he is offered kindness, he becomes self-deprecating. It’s easier to say it yourself than have others say it about you.

Tyrion is one of those slightly enigmatic characters. You’re never entirely sure who’s side he’s actually on. It’s not that he’s on his own side, it’s just that he’s torn between his love for his family, whom I would call the bad guys, and his desire to do the right thing. I’ve only read the first two books in this unfinished series, but I have a feeling that Tyrion’s ultimate actions are going to be influenced by this side of his personality: “During all the terrible long years of his childhood, only Jaime had ever shown him the smallest measure of affection or respect, and for that Tyrion was willing to forgive him most anything.” I don’t mean that he’ll necessarily side with Jaime; I just think that the side that shows him respect and kindness will earn his undying loyalty.

HBO has optioned A Song of Ice and Fire and has given the approval to film ten episodes! I was so excited about this when I first heard about it, before casting had even started, that I made my husband get HBO! A girl has to be prepared, you know? Peter Dinklage, at the right, will be playing the part of Tyrion. The rest of the cast is amazing as well. Here’s the line-up on IMDb.

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