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NOTE: For the sake of this wiki, this page shall focus mainly upon Tyrion Lannister's more villainous portrayal in the Song of Ice and Fire book series.
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The future is shit. Just like the past.
~ Tyrion's nihilism.

Tyrion Lannister, also known as The Imp, is one of the main characters of the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series and its television adaptation Game of Thrones.

He is the last-born child of Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock and his wife Lady Joanna, also of House Lannister. Born a dwarf, from the moment he was born, Tyrion was deeply despised by his own family, mainly his father and his sister Cersei, but received love and affection by his older brother Jaime and his uncles.

Although often depicted as a heroic character, especially within the TV Series, Tyrion can also be considered a villainous character. This is mostly due to his affiliation and support for his less heroic relatives in House Lannister. For this reason he can be considered more of an anti-hero or even an anti-villain.

He was portrayed by Peter Dinklage, who also played Simon Bar Sinister in the 2007 Underdog film adaptation, Captain Gutt in Ice Age: Continental Drift, Bolivar Trask in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Eddie Plant in Pixels, Roman Lunyov in I Care a Lot, Scourge in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Dean Highbottom in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Biography[]

Note: Although Tyrion Lannister is a prominent character within both the original A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) novels and the Game of Thrones (GOT) television series, his portrayals are significantly different between the two sources. Tyrion is a lot more heroic in the GOT series, with a large number of his villainous actions either toned down or removed entirely.

In order to keep with the objectives of this wikia site, this article shall focus upon Tyrion Lannister's portrayal in the ASOIAF books, where he is a lot more villainous. Key differences between the novel and television characters will highlighted in a table in the Differences between the Portrayals sections. Should you wish to focus upon Tyrion's heroic side, we recommend that you check out the external links at the bottom of the page.

Early Life[]

Tyrion Lannister was born to Lord Tywin Lannister and his wife Lady Joanna Lannister of Casterly Rock, two hundred and seventy three years after Aegon Targaryen's conquest of Westeros. He is the younger brother of Cersei and Jaime Lannister, who are seven years his senior. From the moment of his birth, Tyrion's life was a difficult and unfair one.

He was born with dwarfism and his mother, Joana, died as result of complications in childbirth. Although treated with relative kindness by his brother and uncles, Tyrion's childhood was a predominantly lonely one, without any real friendship or love. Although away from Kings Landing for most of the time, serving as Hand of the King to the Mad King Aerys Targaryen,

Tyrion's father, Tywin hated his youngest son from the moment he was born. Not only did he blame Tyrion for the death of his wife, but Tyrion's existence had made Tywin a laughing stock throughout Westeros. Due to the madness of their ruler, alongside Tywin's political and military shrewdness, some people had jokingly said that Tywin was the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. As a result of this, some people, including Aerys himself claimed that Tyrion had been sent by the God's to punish Tywin for overstepping his mark. Since his families reputation and image meant everything to him, Tywin, understandably, did not appreciate this gossip.

Tyrion is also hated by his older sister, Cersei Lannister. Like her father, Cersei blamed Tyrion for the death of her mother, Joana, but this is only one of the reasons that she despises him. When she was ten years old, Cersei and a couple of friends visited a Woods Witch called Maggy the Frog. Having heard that Maggy could read the future, Cersei and her one remaining friend who did not flee, Melara Heatherspoon, demanded to have their fortunes told. Drinking the girls blood, Maggy told their fortunes.

She predicted that Melara would die later that night, whereas Cersei, would be wedded to "the King", not Prince Rhaegar and would eventually be overthrown by a younger and more beautiful Queen. Most chilling of all, she declared that Cersei would have three children, who would all die before her and that she herself would eventually be killed by the valonqar. The two girls fled and despite their promise to never speak of the incident, Maggy's predictions soon started to come true. Melara "fell" down a well later that night and Cersei was soon informed that Aerys had refused to betroth his son Rhaegar to her.

Now knowing the other prophecies may also come true, Cersei tried to discover if the word valonqar had any meaning. She eventually learnt that it was a High Valyrian word, which roughly translated as "the little brother". Cersei quickly concluded that Tyrion was the valonqar that Maggy had spoken of, which only made her fear and hatred for him more pronounced. Ever since day, she has shown him, no kindness and has been plotting ways to have him killed.

A Lesson Never Forgotten[]

young, he married a crofter's daughter, Tysha, who he and Jaime had apparently saved from rapists. When Tywin found out he forced Tyrion to watch his entire garrison rape Tysha, then forced Tyrion to have sex with her, and threw Tysha out. Jaime claimed she was a whore he had paid for Tyrion to have sex with.

Journey to the Wall[]

Tyrion Lannister first appears in "A Game of Thrones" among King Robert's party at Winterfell. He accompanies Jon Snow to Castle Black, wishing to see the wonder that is the Wall - a seven hundred foot high magical wall of ice, stretching three hundred miles, that has stood for eight thousand years. It was built by the First Men to defend the realm against the Others and other monsters. After returning from his visit to see the Wall, Tyrion is abducted by Lady Catelyn Stark in the Riverlands on his way back to King's Landing. Tyrion is accused of hiring a Catspaw to kill Catelyn's son Bran Stark and is accused of the assassination of Lord Jon Arryn - the Hand of the King, Lord of the Eyrie, and Warden of the East. Catelyn takes Tyrion to her sister Lady Lysa Arryn, the widow of Jon Arryn, in the Vale of Arryn. In response to Tyrion's abduction, Tyrion's father, Tywin Lannister, attacks the Riverlands, the seat of House Tully (Catelyn's family), and he raises a host at Casterly Rock against House Tully.

Tyrion is later released, rallies the Hill Clans of the Vale to the Lannister cause, and assists in the Battle of the Green Fork. Tywin sends him to King's Landing to act as Hand, prepare the defenses of the city against Stannis and Renly Baratheon, clean the mess created by Cersei and the rest of the small council, and verify the loyalty of Lord Petyr Baelish, Lord Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle and Lord Janos Slynt.

Hand of the King[]

Robb Stark sends peace terms to the Lannisters, intending for the North and Riverlands to secede from the Iron Throne. Tyrion claims he will exchange Robb's sisters Sansa and Arya Stark for his brother Jaime Lannister, who has been captured by the Starks. However Tyrion has no intention of making terms, Arya has disappeared and the Lannisters only hold Sansa. Tyrion sends his sister's men with his cousin Ser Cleos Frey as part of an escape attempt. They murder Jaime's guards at Riverrun, breaking guest right, and almost break him out. However, Ser Edmure Tully, Heir to Riverrun and Robb's uncle, discovers the deception in time and recovers Jaime, having the other conspirators hanged.

Tyrion engineers the Lannister defense against King Stannis Baratheon, setting up a wildfire trap which burns most of Stannis' ships at the Blackwater. Nonetheless, Stannis comes close to taking the city but an attack by Tywin and the greedy and arrogant Lord Mace Tyrell, who has joined the Lannisters in hopes of making his daughter Margaery Tyrell Queen, defeats Stannis, who flees back to Dragonstone.

Downfall and Trial[]

Tyrion is forced to marry Sansa Stark, Tywin intending for the Lannisters to claim the North through Sansa's claim. Tyrion refrains from consummating the marriage when he sees how terrified Sansa is. He tells Sansa that he will not touch her unless Sansa wants him to. Robb Stark is murdered at the Red Wedding by his treacherous and manipulative bannerman Roose Bolton, with the aid of the Freys led by Walder Frey, along with most of his army. Shortly after, Joffrey is poisoned at his wedding to Margaery by Mace's mother Olenna Tyrell. Tyrion is framed for the murder and put on trial. The trial proved to be farce, as he was wrongly forbidden by Tywin to freely speak in defense. In addition, as the trial spanned for several days, many witnesses testified against him, with some even saying outright lies. After Shae falsely testified against her former lover, Tyrion was furious at the injustice he is facing, and not wanting the crown to pass judgement, he demanded a trial by combat. Delighted by this, Cersei urges the judges to accept it before declaring Ser Gregor Clegane as the crown's champion. This caused Prince Oberyn Martell to declare to the entire court that he will volunteer as Tyrion's champion, which caused an uproar. Though Tywin was so angry at Tyrion, he nevertheless accepts the trial by combat and schedules it to take place on the morrow. The next day, during the trial by combat, Oberyn managed to gain the upper-hand over Gregor, but the tide unfortunately turned in favor of Gregor, who brutally kills Oberyn, but not before admitting his murder of Elia Martell and Prince Aegon. Seeing on how gruesome Oberyn's death, this caused Tyrion to vomit before he was taken by the Gold Cloaks to the Black Cells to await execution.

Vengeance[]

You poor, stupid, blind, crippled fool. Must I spell out every little thing for you? Very well. Cersei is a lying whore, she's been f-cking Lancel and Osmund Kettleblack and probably Moon Boy for all I know. And I am the monster they all say I am. Yes, I killed your vile son.
~ Tyrion to Jaime.

That night before his execution, Jaime breaks Tyrion out with the aid of Varys, who was forced to. Jaime admits Tysha wasn't a whore, their father forced Jaime to say this. Furious, Tyrion claims he murdered Joffrey. He then goes to his father's room and finds Shae in his father's bed. He strangles her, then confronts his father on the privy, and shoots them dead with a crossbow.

Escape and Aftermath[]

Although Tyrion's escape was not shown, A Dance with Dragons confirmed that he managed to escape Kings Landing undetected. After killing his father, Tyrion made his way back down the secret passage to where Varys was waiting. The eunuch then led him safely through the hidden corridors until they reached the docks. There, as Jaime had promised, a boat was waiting to take Tyrion to Esso's. Tyrion Lannister, who had once been the Hand of the King left the capital unceremoniously, hiding in a barrel. He departed from Westoros with his reputation shattered, falsely convicted of a crime he never committed and the blood of two people on his hands.

The rest of the Lannister family were notified of Tywin's demise a few hours later, when Lum discovered the body. Kevan and Jaime arrived first and whilst the former tried his best to pray for his brothers departed soul, the latter conducted a search of the newly discovered passage. Tyrion's involvement would not be discovered until Cersei, who had been dreaming about Tyrion mocking her, sent Boros Blount to the black cells. Unaware of what transpired the previous evening, the Queen Regent wanted to confirm that her youngest brother was where he was supposed to be, so that she could see his head roll later that day. When the Kingsguard returned, however, he informed the nobles that the cell door was open, the jailors were asleep and could not be roused and that Tyrion was gone. With that, the identity of Tywin's murderer was revealed!

Although Tyrion did not appear within A Feast For Crows his killing of Tywin in the previous novel would have a lasting impact upon both his family and the realm.

People/Person affected Impact
House Lannister
  • Cersei became the Lady of Casterly Rock. She refused to leave the capital, however, as she intends to retain her position as Queen Regent and rule in the stead of King Tommen I Baratheon. She therefore appointed her distant cousin Ser Damion Lannister as the castellan of Casterly Rock.
  • With Tywin's passing, the position of Hand of the King became vacant once more. Cersei originally asked Kevan and Jaime to serve as "Tommen's" new hand, but they both refused. They both distrusted Cersei and doubted her ability to rule. Jaime also declared that he was a soldier, not a politician. Kevan meanwhile said he would only become the Hand of the King if granted regency as well. Cersei, however, refused to renounce her position.
  • Several months later, however, Kevan Lannister succeeded her as regent. He did a much more effective job than his niece but Kevan's rule was cut short when he was murdered at the hands of Varys. The Master of Whispers, who did so in order to sow further dissent so he could easily put Aegon VI Targaryen, who is believed to be the surviving son of Rhaegar Targaryen, on the iron throne.
Tywin
  • By killing his father, Tyrion denied the realm of Tywin's power and stabilising influence. Had he lived, Tywin could have not only shaped Tommen into a proper ruler, he would have also, as Kevan pointed out, put his foot down and removed corrupt, power-hungry individuals like Cersei from the court. With his indomitable will, vast wealth and intelligent mind, Tywin may have been able to end all the conflicts, establish the long-lasting dynasty he had dreamed of and bring peace to the realm once more.
  • The peace that Tywin had worked so hard to forge began to fall apart following his death. Cersei's actions led to distrust amongst the Lannisters, his former allies began to work for their own selfish interests and civil unrest began to rise once more.
  • Tyrion also managed to humiliate his father one last time. Due to the manner in which he killed him, Tywin's body emitted a foul odour, despite the best efforts of the Silent Sisters. As a result of this, very few of the mourners could stand beside him for too long.
Cersei
  • Cersei was livid that Tyrion, whom she blamed for the deaths of her mother, father and son, had managed to escape from her, especially since she was so close to being rid of him. In a bid to find and eliminate him, she offered a Lordship to anybody who could bring her Tyrion's head or provide information that would lead to his capture. Despite their best efforts, the bounty hunters only ever brought her the heads of innocent men and children and all searches turned up empty.
  • Remembering the prophecy of Maggy the Frog, Cersei became extremely paranoid and distrustful of people. She began to think that Tyrion was lurking somewhere in the Red Keep, hiding away and manipulating people behind the scenes. Aside from assassination, she alienated her father's former allies, inaccurately believing, that they were Tyrion's puppets.
  • Although she was forced to allow King Tommen to wed Margaery Tyrell, Cersei immediately began plotting against her daughter-in-law and her family, believing that House Tyrell helped Tyrion in killing both Joffrey and Tywin. She eventually managed to get Margaery arrested on charges of infidelity by framing her for adultery. Unfortunately for Cersei, her scheme (as mentioned below) ultimately backfired in the end.
  • Thinking the High Septon to be one of Tyrion's pawns and that he knew about her incestuous affair with Jaime, Cersei had Osney Kettleblack murder the High Septon, which later allowed the more zealous and fanatic High Sparrow to be appointed in his stead. Later, he manipulates Cersei into reviving the Faith Militant, and the queen regent thought to herself that she could use the military order as her own private army. While Cersei is successful in erasing a large portion of the Crown's debt, this ploy, like her scheme against Queen Margaery, would ultimately backfire.
  • As both Tyrion, Tywin, Jaime and Kevan had suspected, Cersei proved to be an incompetent regent. Dismissing many of her father's appointed staff, she engaged in cronyism, in which she filled the Small Council with people she believed to be weak-willed yes-men and whom she believed to be loyal to her alone. Cersei's biggest blunder was refusing to pay back the Iron Bank of Braavos, who proceeded to stop handing out loans before demanding immediate repayment of all their debts, plunging Westeros into economic instability.
  • Cersei's schemes finally came crashing down when Osney Kettleblack, after having falsely confessed to having an affair with Margery, revealed under torture that he had in fact been sleeping with Cersei and that she had also ordered him to kill the previous High Septon. For this, in conjunction with the charges Lancel Lannister levelled against her (see below), Cersei was arrested during her visit at the Great Sept of Baelor, following Margery's detainment. By the time Cersei returned to the Red Keep, following her walk of atonement, she had been abandoned by all of her allies. As an insult to injury, she had been stripped of her authority and condemned to house arrest.
Kevan
  • Kevan developed a deep hatred for the now-outcast Tyrion. Like the rest of the realm, he refused to address his nephew by his name and continued to believe that he had murdered Joffrey as well as his brother.
  • Kevan would eventually leave King's Landing, taking his brother's body back to the Westerlands, as he did not want to be anywhere near the now emotionally and mentally unstable Cersei. Following Cersei's arrest, however, Grand Maester Pycelle and Harys Swyft quickly offered him the regency, which Kevan accepted.
  • Kevan proved to be a very efficient and capable regent; He fixed many of the issues that Cersei had caused and was almost able to bring the realm back into stability. This eventually led Varys, who was operating within the shadows, to assassinate him and Grand Maester Pycelle. This began paving the way for his real master, the presumed-surviving Aegon Targaryen to take back the iron throne once more. Varys also intended to make it look as though Tyrion was responsible, knowing that it would provoke Cersei once more.
Jaime
  • Like his sister, Jaime Lannister was furious at Tyrion for murdering their father. In addition, he began to believe that it was his own fault for freeing his brother, which led to their father's death. As an act of penance, Jaime stood watch over Tywin's body whilst the latter lay in state. For understandable reasons, he did not tell anybody else that he was the one who freed Tyrion.
  • Despite Tyrion's declaration, Jaime did not believe that his brother had actually murdered Joffrey, assuming, correctly, that he had merely claimed responsibility during a fit of rage. Since Jaime had all but renounced Joffrey anyway, this assumption did not particularly bother him.
  • What did concern him, however, was Tyrion's claim about Cersei's infidelity. Haunted by his brother's words, Jaime began to grow weary and distrustful of Cersei, whose own paranoia and actions did nothing to ease his doubts. Although Jaime wanted to believe that Tyrion had lied to him, during an exchange between himself and Cersei, the latter would say that both she and Tyrion had lied to him a thousand times. Jaime would eventually realize that this was the only honest thing Cersei ever said to him.
  • Ultimately, Cersei's paranoia and scheming caused Jaime to become disillusioned with her. She in turn began to view him as both weak and worthless. As their affection for each other waned, Cersei ordered her brother to leave the capital and take back Riverrun, which was still held by Stark loyalists.
  • Whilst en route to the settlement, Jaime stopped off at Castle Darry, the seat of his newly wedded cousin Lancel. Wanting answers, he confronted the younger Lannister in the sept, where the now deeply pious Lancel confessed everything. In addition to revealing Cersei's remobilization of the Faith Militant (which he intended to join), Lancel told the ignorant Jaime that he had:-
    • Slept with Cersei whilst Jaime was a prisoner of the Starks.
    • Cersei had made him ply King Robert Baratheon with strong wine on the day of his death, allowing Joffrey to ascend the throne.
    • Most importantly, he had confessed these sins to the late High Septon, i.e. the one that Tyrion had appointed.
  • Having heard everything he needed to hear, Jaime finally acknowledged that Tyrion had been completely honest with him. Realizing that Cersei had murdered the High Septon, he concluded that every other accusation Tyrion and Lancel had made against her was also true. As a result of this, Jaime Lannister renounced all feelings for his sister.
  • This could not have come at a worse time for Cersei, as she had just been imprisoned by the Faith Militant. She sent a desperate plea for help to her brother, informing him that her fate was to be decided via a trial by combat. She implored him to return to return to King's Landing as her champion, but Jaime guessed correctly that she was guilty of all the accusations made against her. He had the letter burned, abandoning Cersei to her self-inflicted fate.

Life on the run[]

To be added

Tyrion is made more adventurous and heroic in the TV series, as most of his villainous actions and traits from the novels are ignored, especially his personality after learning the truth about Tysha. During the third book, he commanded his sellsword Bronn to murder a singer, because said singer implied he would inform Tywin on his relationship with Shae. This could be considered justified, however, he also disposes of the singer's body by ordering him cooked into a stew, thereby turning several innocent peasants into unwitting cannibals. He becomes angrier after he learned the truth about his first wife, Tysha, and now fantasizes of many horrible ways to get his revenge on his siblings, such as raping and killing his sister (presumably not in that order). He also hits Jaime in the face after he told him the truth about Tysha after freeing him; a furious Tyrion tells Jaime he actually really poisoned Joffrey and reveals Cersei's infidelity and her sexual relationship with Lancel and the Kettleblacks, adding the fool Moon Boy as an exaggeration to make Cersei look more like a whore. Tyrion becomes more short-tempered and even forces a slave woman to have sex with him. In both books and shows Tyrion threatening to murder his cousin Lancel.

Differences between the Portrayals[]

This section highlights the key differences between Tyrion's portrayal in the original ASOIAF novels and the GOT TV series. As mentioned previously, although Tyrion is one of the series kinder and more sympathetic characters, he is still regard as an anti-hero and is a lot more villainous in the books.

Subject Portrayal in Game of Thrones
Appearance Tyrion is considerably more handsome in the TV series than his novel counterpart. In the books, Tyrion is described as having mismatched eyes, pale blonde hair and legs of different sizes. These factors were excluded in Peter Dinklage's portrayal. Later, during the Battle of Blackwater Bay, Tyrion is attacked by the Kingsguard Ser Mandon Moore, who slashes him across the face with a sword. Tyrion ended up with nothing more than a distinctive scar across his nose and right cheek in the show, but his injury in the book was much more significant. Moore's attack removed most of Tyrion's nose and part of his lip. Although the injury healed, Tyrion, as his sister and nephew so kindly pointed out, looked uglier than ever.
  • This particular feature was probably cut from the TV show due to cost effects and saving Peter Dinklage from having to wear a "prosthetic noose in green" for the rest of the shows running.
Tysha Although Tysha was mentioned during the early stages of the show, she was never referenced again after Season 4. Jaime's confession about his and Tywin's deception was also excluded, allowing the Lannister brothers to part on good terms. Tyrion's motive for killing Tywin was likewise toned down to Tyrion wanting revenge for throwing him under the bus for Joffrey's murder and for turning Shae against him (see below). Many book readers were not satisfied with this change, as they felt that affected Tyrion's development later on.
Relationship with Shae Unlike in the book, Tyrion and Shae's relationship was portrayed as a genuinely mutual attraction. Although Tyrion did speak harshly towards her before Joffrey's wedding and attempted to send her away, he did this out of genuine love and affection for her. By this point, Tywin and Cersei knew about their relationship and threatened to kill her. Since Tyrion had already lost one woman to his father's machinations, he did not want it to happen again.

This, if anything, made her betrayal of him at the trial, all the more hurtful. Shae, clearly not understanding what Tyrion had done for her, lied about him being the killer to get back at him. Unlike in the book, where Tyrion remained silent, he pleaded with her to stop, only for her to throw his words back in his face and continue to sell him out. Finally, unlike in the book, Tyrion killed Shae in self-defence. Upon realizing that Tyrion was present, Shae grabbed a knife, which the couple struggled over. Although Tyrion did end up strangling to death in an identical manner to the book, the necklace was one that he had previously bought her, rather than a chain of interlinking hands. Once the thrashing stopped, Tyrion, realising what he had done was left extremely remorseful and guilt-ridden, apologizing to the corpse.

Villainous actions In the books, Tyrion performs numerous questionable actions that are not included in the show. For example: -
  • Tyrion briefly fondles Sansa's breast on their wedding night before stopping upon realizing how terrified she is.
  • He had Bronn murder a singer, Symon Silver Tongue when the latter discovered his affair with Shae and tried to extort him for money in exchange for his silence. Although we don't learn exactly what Bronn did, it is implied that the sellsword had Symon turned into soup. (Note: Symon wrote the song Hands of Gold, a mocking melody about Shae and Tyrion's affair. Since Symon was cut from the TV adaptation, the song did not appear until Season 6 when it was sung by a Lannister soldier.)
  • Whilst serving as Hand of the King, Tyrion sent assassins under a false Peace Banner in an attempt to rescue Jaime.
  • He also orders agents of Stannis to be tortured to death by Joffrey.
  • After escaping King's Landing, in the show, Tyrion politely turns down a prostitute's offer of sex. In the book, however, despite knowing it was wrong, he accepted and proceeded to abuse her.
Trial confession In the show, Tyrion's trial took place over one day, rather than four like in the book. The trial itself was much more bogus, with the "witnesses" being either Tyrion's enemies, who told either outright lies or half-truths, or people coerced by his father and sister into testifying against him. Although Tywin, as stated below, made his offer to spare Tyrion in exchange for a guilty plea, Oberyn did not offer to be Tyrion's champion until after the trial. Just like in the novel, however, following Shae's false testimony. Tyrion gave a hate-filled speech to the citizens of King's Landing. Although largely consistent with its novel counterpart, Tyrion's TV speech included some extra dialogue:-
  • First, Tyrion angrily reminded the people present that he had saved them at the Battle of the Blackwater, not Tywin or Cersei. Glaring at them hatefully, Tyrion made it clear that if this was his reward then he should have left them at the mercy of Stannis.
  • Moments later, whilst stating his innocence, Tyrion turns to glare up at Cersei and shouts right to her face that whilst he did not kill her miserable excuse for a son, he enjoyed watching the boy suffer and is glad that Joffrey is dead.
  • Tyrion also, much to Cersei's anger tells her outright that the late King was a vicious tyrant, not the noble monarch everybody else is making him out to be.
  • He also refers to Joffrey as a bastard, thereby confirming the rumours about his sibling's incestuous relationship.
  • Tyrion also denounces Shae, who is present in this version, as a lying whore.
  • Finally, when Tywin tries to restore order, Tyrion puts a decisive end to his father's manipulations. Glaring up at his judges, Tyrion tells them and the court that he will not let them kill or condemn him for a crime he did not commit. Calling the trial a farce and his father's latest attempt to kill him, Tyrion puts an end to it by demanding that his fate be determined via a trial by combat. As the crowd roars in anger and protest, Tyrion smiles happily up at Tywin satisfied in the knowledge that whatever follows will happen on his terms, not his father's.
The murder of Tywin Lannister As noted above, Tyrion's reasons for killing his father were significantly altered in the TV show. Instead of confronting him about Tysha, Tyrion calls out his father for condemning him, his son, to death for a crime that Tywin knew full well that Tyrion never committed. When Tyrion confesses about how he loved and murdered Shae, Tywin is completely dismissive, referring to her as nothing more than a whore. Raising the crossbow, Tyrion warned his father not to say that word again. When Tywin ignored this threat, Tyrion shot him twice, once in the abdomen, then through the heart.
Relationship with Jaime Unlike in the book, Jaime visited Tyrion in prison during the TV series. Through their conversations, he realised that his brother genuinely had nothing to do with Joffrey's death. In both adaptations, Jaime was present for the trial. Whilst he served as little more than a spectator in the novel, in GOT, Jaime realized that Tywin and Cersei were trying to get Tyrion killed, not caring if he was innocent or not. Unwilling to let his brother die, Jaime approached his father with a deal; in exchange for Tyrions life, he would leave the Kingsguard and become the son Tywin wanted. This was where Tywin offered to send Tyrion to the wall, with Jaime serving as the messenger rather than Kevan. Unfortunately, Cersei then called Shae to witness stand and after her false testimony, Tyrion threw away the offer demanding a trial by combat.

When Oberyn Martell died in the aforementioned trial, thus condemning Tyrion to death, Jaime, like in the book, broke him out of prison on the eve of his execution. Unlike in the novel, however, the brothers parted on amiable terms. There was no mention of Tysha, Cersei's infidelity or a promise of retribution. Despite this, Jaime initially hated Tyrion for killing their father, even telling Bron at one point that if they ever crossed paths again, Tyrion would die. Despite this, Jaime put this promise aside, when Tyrion and Daenerys showed him and Cersei that something far more sinister threatened the existence of Westeros. Since the book series is still ongoing as of 2024, it is not known if Jaime and Tyrion will ever make amends in the ASOIAF novels.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Although Tyrion is considered heroic by the ASOIAF fandom, he is generally treated as a sympathetic anti-villain.
    • As blogger Turtle-Paced stated in her review of "Blackwater" regarding Tyrion’s support of House Lannister; "Let’s not pretend that these are anything but personal reasons - Tyrion himself is quite aware that what’s good for him is not good for Westeros."
    • In both the book and the television series, Tyrion claims to favour the smallfolk, whilst also showing empathy and compassion for 'cripples, bastards, and broken things'. Yet his support of House Lannister, especially his nephew Joffrey Baratheon, whom Tyrion considers to be a “vicious idiot” actively helps to suppress the masses, in favour of the elite. Bear in mind that Tyrion also knows that his nephews and niece are illegitimate, making Stannis Robert's true heir.
  • It is implied in the GOT TV series that Tyrion had romantic feelings for Queen Daenerys Targaryen. In the Season 7 finale, Tyrion spotted Daenerys and Jon Snow in the act, which prompted him to walk away grimly. Any romantic interest in his Queen was destroyed in Season 8, along with his allegiance, following the burning of King's Landing, which saw the deaths of Tyrion’s siblings and many innocents.
  • According to George R.R. Martin, in his first draft of the Song of Ice and Fire books he planned to have Tyrion fall in love with Arya Stark, setting up a love triangle between Jon, Arya, and Tyrion. This plot has been abandoned but may have served as the basis for Tyrion, Jon and Daenerys’ love triangle in the tv show.
  • Tyrion and his brother Jaime are considered to be less vile than their sister or father and are amongst the most sympathetic villains in the franchise.
  • One ASOIAF theory claims that Tyrion is actually a Targaryen, sired by The Mad King Aerys rather than Tywin. If true, it would not only make Tyrion a contender for the Iron Throne but Daenerys, Viserys and Rhaegar’s half-brother. Rhaegar’s sons, Jon Snow and Aegon Targaryen meanwhile, would be Tyrion’s paternal nephews. Evidence that fans use to support this highly popular theory includes: -
    • Tyrion has a deep fascination with dragons and their lore. He wanted to own a dragon in his youth, which drew ridicule from his relatives since the beasts were believed to have been extinct for years. Although other people, including Cersei have also expressed interest in dragons, the red priest Moqorro foretold in A Dance of Dragons that Tyrion’s destiny would be inseparably tied to those of dragon blood.
    • In the novel, Tyrion's hair is described as pale blonde bordering on white rather than vibrant gold. He also has mismatching eyes, one green (a trait associated with House Lannister) and one black, which could be a very dark purple. White hair and purple eyes are distinctive characteristics of the Targaryen family.
    • According to both Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Kevan Lannister, the Mad King was infatuated with Tyrion's mother Joanna Lannister. Both men stated that Aerys not only hinted at having a previous “relationship” with Tyrion’s mother but that the Kings’ obsession went beyond simple lust. Aerys’ wife, Queen Rhaella, seems to have shared this opinion as she dismissed Joanna from her service. Most importantly of all, Joanna Lannister made a rare visit to the capital at the time of Tyrion's conception. She then journeyed back to Casterly Rock without her husband, who remained behind to (reluctantly) continue his service as Aerys’ hand. Given that Joanna died within the year, she would have been pregnant at the time of her departure.
    • This could also explain why Aerys started the rumour about Tyrion being a punishment sent down by the Gods to humble Tywin. It may have been a cover-up, to hide the fact that Tyrion is actually his son.
    • During Tywin’s conversation with Tyrion following the Battle of the Blackwater, in which he refuses to grant Tyrion lordship of Casterly Rock, Tywin says; "Men's laws give you the right to bear my name and display my colours, since I cannot prove that you are not mine". Although Tywin could have simply been expressing his well-known hatred for his second son, if you follow the theory of Tyrion being a Targaryen rather than a Lannister, it could indicate that Tywin also has doubts about his youngest “son’s” paternity.
    • It could also explain Tywin's willingness to not only side with Robert at the end of the rebellion but slaughter Aerys' family. Although Tywin did it mostly for political reasons i.e. to win favour with the new King, he may also have done it for revenge.
  • Another popular theory from the ASOIAF books suggests that Tyrion might be a father. The fourth novel, A Feast for Crows introduces a new character called Sailor’s Wife. She is a prostitute working in Braavos whom many believe to be Tyrion’s first wife, Tysha. To add further support to this theory, the Sailor’s Wife has a daughter called Lanna who is not only old enough to be Tyrion’s daughter, but possesses the green eyes and blonde hair associated with the Lannister’s.

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Westeros
Beyond the Wall
The Others
Night King | White Walker Commander | Viserion | Wights

Giants
Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg | Dongo

Free Folk
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The North
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The Vale of Arryn
House Arryn
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Vale Mountain Clans
Shagga

Riverlands
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Petyr Baelish

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Brotherhood without Banners
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Iron Islands
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House Greyjoy (historical)
Dalton Greyjoy

House Hoare
Qhored I Hoare | Hagon Hoare | Harwyn Hoare | Harren Hoare

Others
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Westerlands
House Lannister
Tywin Lannister | Cersei Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Tyrion Lannister | Lancel Lannister | Amory Lorch | Ilyn Payne | Preston Greenfield | Shae | Lowell

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Jason Lannister | Lann the Clever

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Gregor Clegane | Sandor Clegane | Polliver | Rafford | The Tickler | Weasel | Mountain's Men

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Ellyn Reyne | Roger Reyne

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Rolph Spicer | Sybell Spicer

Others
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Crownlands
House Targaryen
Aegon I Targaryen | Visenya Targaryen | Rhaenys Targaryen | Maegor I Targaryen | Daemon Targaryen | Rhaenyra Targaryen | Aegon II Targaryen | Aemond Targaryen | Daeron Targaryen | Daeron I Targaryen | Baelor I Targaryen | Aegon IV Targaryen | Aerion Targaryen | Aerys II Targaryen | Rhaegar Targaryen | Viserys Targaryen | Daenerys I Targaryen

Greens
Aegon II Targaryen | Aemond Targaryen | Daeron Targaryen | Otto Hightower | Alicent Hightower | Criston Cole | Borros Baratheon | Jason Lannister | Unwin Peake | George Graceford | Orwyle | Jon Roxton | Larys Strong | Larys Strong's prisoners | Alys Rivers | Hugh Hammer | Ulf White | Hobert Hightower | Alfred Broome | Arryk Cargyll | Marston Waters | Perkin the Flea | Luthor Largent | Caltrops

Blacks
Rhaenyra Targaryen | Daemon Targaryen | Cregan Stark | Mysaria | Hugh Hammer | Ulf White | Luthor Largent | Bartimos Celtigar | Alfred Broome | Dalton Greyjoy | Blood and Cheese

House Baratheon of King's Landing
Robert I Baratheon | Joffrey I Baratheon | Cersei Lannister | Jaime Lannister | Janos Slynt | Ilyn Payne | Bronn | Sandor Clegane | Boros Blount | Meryn Trant | Mandon Moore | Preston Greenfield | Kettleblack Brothers | Robert Strong | Catspaw

House Baratheon of Dragonstone
Stannis Baratheon | Selyse Florent | Melisandre | Axell Florent | Richard Horpe | Clayton Suggs | Shadow Assassins

House Blackfyre
Daemon I Blackfyre | Daemon II Blackfyre | Aegor Rivers | Maelys I Blackfyre | Golden Company

House Kettleblack
Osmund Kettleblack | Osfryd Kettleblack | Osney Kettleblack

Faith of the Seven
Baelor I Targaryen | High Sparrow | Septa Unella | Faith Militant | Lancel Lannister | The Shepherd

City Watch of King's Landing
Daemon Targaryen | Janos Slynt | Bronn | Osfryd Kettleblack | Blood | Perkin the Flea

Alchemists' Guild
Rossart | Hallyne | Garigus | Belis

Others
Rorge | Biter | Arryk Cargyll | Bartimos Celtigar | Hugh Hammer | Luthor Largent | Ulf White | Marston Waters | Olyvar | King's Landing Rioters

Stormlands
House Baratheon
Robert I Baratheon | Stannis Baratheon | Renly Baratheon | Joffrey Baratheon | Richard Horpe | Meryn Trant

House Baratheon (historical)
Orys Baratheon | Borros Baratheon

Others
Criston Cole

The Reach
House Tyrell
Mace Tyrell | Loras Tyrell | Randyll Tarly

House Florent
Axell Florent | Selyse Florent

House Hightower
Lord Hobert Hightower | Ormund Hightower | Otto Hightower | Alicent Hightower | Hobert Hightower

House Peake
Unwin Peake | Amaury Peake | Mervyn Flowers | Gormon Peake

The Citadel
Pycelle | Orwyle | Qyburn

Others
Jon Roxton | George Graceford | Bronn

Dorne
Morion Martell | Ellaria Sand | Gerold Dayne | Nymeria Sand | Obara Sand | Tyene Sand | Wyl of Wyl | Vulture Kings

Others
Shagwell | Smiling Knight | The Little Birds | The Rat, the Hawk, and the Pig

Essos
Free Cities
Belicho Paenymion | Ben Plumm | Bloodbeard | Craghas Drahar | Daario Naharis | Second Sons | Doreah | Illyrio Mopatis | Jaqen H'ghar | Kindly Man | Malaquo Maegyr | Mero | Moqorro | Mysaria | Ollo Lophand | Pretty Meris | Tattered Prince | The old man | Tyanna of the Tower | Vargo Hoat | Varys | Sorcerer | Waif | Bianca | Triarchy | Saan Family | Band of Nine | The little birds

Golden Company
Aegor Rivers | Maelys I Blackfyre | Harry Strickland

Brave Companions
Vargo Hoat | Rorge | Biter | Shagwell | Qyburn

The Sorrows
Stone Men

Dothraki Sea
Dothraki | Drogo | Jhaqo | Mago | Moro | Qotho | Qhono | Qorro | Brozho | Rhalko | Forzho | Wine Merchant

Lhazar
Mirri Maz Duur

Slaver's Bay
Great Masters | Wise Masters | Good Masters | Hizdahr zo Loraq | Kraznys mo Nakloz | Grazdan mo Ullhor | Cleon the Great | Malko | Oznak zo Pahl | Prendahl na Ghezn | Razdal mo Eraz | Yezzan zo Qaggaz | Reznak mo Reznak | Skahaz mo Kandaq | Sons of the Harpy | Vala | Grey Worm | Unsullied

Qarth
The Pureborn | The Undying Ones | Pyat Pree | Warlocks of Qarth | Xaro Xhoan Daxos | Sorrowful Men

Collections of Countries
Old Empire of Ghis | Valyrian Freehold | Slaver Alliance

Far East Essos
Yi Ti
Bloodstone Emperor | Lo Bu | Jar Har

Asshai and Shadow Lands
Melisandre | Shadow Assassins

Across the Known World
Crew of the Silence

Dragons
Balerion | The Cannibal | Drogon | Meraxes | Rhaegal | Silverwing | Sunfyre | Vermithor | Vhagar | Viserion

Deities
Drowned God | Great Other | Horse God | Lion of Night | Many-Faced God | Old Gods | Old Ones | R'hllor | Storm God

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