In the words of Cersei Lannister: When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die. It’s for this exact reason that Game of Thrones cemented itself as one of the best shows in modern television history, as its gripping take on medieval politicking and magic realism shows absolute power does, indeed, breed absolute corruption. While the last seasons of Game of Thrones left a bitter taste in the mouths of hardcore fans, the show at its peak showed both the best and the worst humanity could offer in the face of such power.
And while fans already know the true victor of the Game of Thrones, it might be interesting to take a step back and see just how the series showcased some of its most famous (or infamous) characters – particularly in the pursuit of power. With rule over the Seven Kingdoms implying absolute power, some cast of Game of Thrones was willing to do whatever it takes to secure it – or at least, to fulfill their best interests.
10. Ned Stark
A Man Whose Old Ways Did Not Adapt To Circumstances
After learning of the Lannister incest, he could always bend the knee to give him leeway to actually navigate his way out of King’s Landing, especially with his eldest daughters in the clutches of Lannister control: Sansa betrothed to now-King Joffrey and his youngest Arya alone with only her sword fighting teacher. Ned had the foresight to know the revelation of the Lannister incest would have Stannis Baratheon march to claim the Iron Throne, which means Ned likely knows his eldest (but still unseasoned) Robb will risk his life to avenge his father upon death. Even his wife Catelyn knew going to King’s Landing was a bad idea, when she told Ned from the start this seemed like something that would paint him as a target to the Lannisters – and that it did.
9. Tywin Lannister
Everything For Family, Because He’s Already Done Things For Himself
Known as the ever-strict patriarch of House Lannister, it’s through Lord Tywin’s watchful eye that the Lannisters once again rose to prominence in the past decades. It’s through Tywin Lannister and his politicking that the Iron Throne has depended on Lannister wealth to manage its expenses and his eldest Cersei married to King Robert Baratheon, cementing the Lannisters as the “top dog” (or lion) in Westerosi politics.
However, beneath Lord Tywin’s rigid exterior is hypocrisy and selfishness – things his children often suffered in his behalf. For one, he chastises Cersei and Jamie’s forbidden love even though Tywin’s own wife is his cousin. He even constantly berates Tyrion for engaging in his lusty ordeals, even when Tywin’s chambers seem to have a tunnel leading directly to brothels.
8. Robb Stark
The King In The North Who Drove The Starks To Near-Annihilation
Unfortunately, Robb being a youngster back then meant pacts were not big deals in the face of a budding romance. And when he broke this wedding pact by marrying the battlefield healer Talisa Maegyr, Robb will never get an opportunity to be lectured about keeping one’s word. In the infamous Red Wedding, a supposed banquet hosted by the betrayed Freys resulted in a massacre of the Northern Lords. Not only did Robb’s selfishness result in the deaths of himself and Catelyn Stark, but a majority of the Starks’ original Northern allies. Had it not been for the surviving Stark siblings scattered across Westeros like a wolf pack driven to separation, Robb’s “true love” would have led to the elimination of one of Westeros’s founding powers.
7. Stannis Baratheon
A Child Is A Worthwhile Price For Power, Or So It Seemed
Among the Baratheon siblings, middle-child Stannis Baratheon is as level-headed as he is a talented tactician. In the face of the likes of Tywin and Tyrion Lannister, Ned Stark knew Stannis could make a difference in the coming conflict – especially when Stannis was the “rightful heir” after discovering how the Lannister children were born out of incest. However, aside from his tactical acumen and firm demeanor, Stannis had another power by his side: the Lord of Light himself.
Having been made to believe by the Red Priestess that he is the reincarnation of Azor Ahai destined to save the world, Stannis would resort to blood magic to start gaining an advantage in combat. He will murder his younger sibling Renly simply for this ambition, and his most selfish act would be his decision to sacrifice his own daughter Shireen – through burning, no less – just to clear himself a path to Winterfell. While the act will cement the powers of his Red Priestess and her god, this certainly alienated Stannis among his own men.
6. Petyr Belish
The Man Whose Ambition Started It All
Littlefinger’s knowledge of Westeros’s most powerful Houses was more than enough to pit them against each other – all it took was orchestrating the death of Jon Arryn, and all the other pieces would fit the rest. It didn’t matter if Petyr had to pin family against family if all it took was for him to amass even more power than he had before. And for someone with no strong family to begin with, Petyr was a “technically perfect” definition of selfish – he had no one to be selfish for but himself.
5. Viserys Targaryen
A Pathetic Brother To Daenerys
One of the first displays of selfishness in Game of Thrones came in the form of Viserys Targaryen – and his pathetic version of the trait made him feel more of a stereotypical villain compared to the emotional depth of the people before him. As the eldest of the sole Targaryen survivors (alongside Daenerys), Viserys felt entitled to the Iron Throne that he was forced to abandon as a child for the course of his safety.
4. Cersei Lannister
Ambitions Came At The Cost Of Her Family
Cersei Lannister was born with unbridled ambition seen in a society where women of noble houses were nothing more than bargaining chips to further a family’s power. And after being underestimated for so long, Cersei’s young sons eventually held the Iron Throne, finally put her in a position to enact change as she fit as Queen Regent. Unfortunately for Cersei, her image of a “happy family” will be besieged by threats left and right – whether by families coveting the Lannisters’ power or those who know of her incestuous past.
3. Daenerys Targaryen
Hypocrisy Is As Selfish As Tyranny
Positioned as one of the “heroes” in the world of Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen would have led a successful political life unifying Essos had it not been for her family legacy calling her to go back to Westeros and its Iron Throne. Unfortunately, despite her “good” intentions as the Breaker of Chains, Dany’s own campaigns in the East shine no bright light on her as a true “savior.” Criticisms towards her always boil down to her messianic reputation conveniently crossing over to her personal benefit. For instance, she went to Astapor with the full intent of purchasing a slave army, not to “free” slaves – she only questions this decision when faced with the possibility that Westerosi might not want to be ruled by someone who used actual slaves in their army.
2. Ramsay Bolton
A More Calculated Version Of Joffrey
When the series managed to kill off Joffrey Baratheon in the Purple Wedding, an even worse threat came in the form of Ramsay Bolton – a highly insecure, ambitious, and rather strategic version of Joffrey. However, instead of being childish and reckless than his kingly counterpart, Ramsay relishes in the sadism that comes with his quest for dominance. After betraying the other Northerners in their supposed “assistance” to retake Winterfell, Ramsay burns the Starks’ homeland and declares the Boltons the new rulers of the North.
Unfortunately, Roose Bolton’s training of his bastard had failed to take into account Ramsay’s obsession in proving his worth. He ended up murdering his father, stepmother, and even newborn brother the moment they became threats. Ramsay was blinded by his ego and cruelty, to the point that others he “loved” were mere extensions of himself rather than true “individuals.” Sadism is his method of control, as evidenced by how he’s breaking Theon, Sansa, and even Walda and her child just to reinforce it.
1. Joffrey Baratheon
The Epitome Of Wanton Selfishness
Perhaps the most infamous character in Game of Thrones, Joffrey Baratheon takes the cake for being quite detestable not just to fans but to other characters alike. Introduced initially as the typical spoiled prince, Joffrey is shown as not just corrupt and sadistic but also perhaps incapable of true affection. Even as a prince, Joffrey is seen constantly tormenting others – and even more as king, often shifting blame and relishes in humiliating others without thinking of the consequences.
Some could even consider Joffrey not just selfish, but outright inhumane in his tendencies. It came to such an extent that even Olenna Tyrell had to make a move to assassinate him with the Strangler through an unknowing Sansa, as even she knew an uncontrolled Joffrey would cause the downfall of the Seven Kingdoms.
