Game Of Thrones: The Targaryens, Ranked From Most Heroic To Most Villainous

One of the best parts of Game of Thrones, the all-time great HBO series, was that it showed the world how heroes and villains are never quite the black-and-white figures other fantasy stories depict them to be. There were many more shades of gray on Thrones. For House Targaryen, the shades of gray were depicted on a sliding scale. Some Targaryens were truly vile, some fought for heroism and wisdom above all else. No Targaryen could be easily categorized. The House of the Dragon is filled with characters, as one of the three main houses followed on the series, fans loved to learn more about. On the spin-off they may learn more, but for now, the heroism and villainy is left to the show itself.

Aegon Targaryen

There is no question about who the most heroic member of House Targaryen is. That honor belongs to Aegon Targaryen, who is probably better known on Game of Thrones as Jon Snow.

Initially believed to be Ned Stark’s bastard, Jon Snow winds up embodying the best qualities of both the Starks and the Targaryens. The former’s coolness frequently overrules the hotheadedness of the latter, but he always sticks to his moral code, no matter what. Aegon Targaryen represents the best of House Targaryen, even if he’s mostly associated with House Stark.

Aemon Targaryen

If someone asked Maester Aemon, a somewhat secretive member of House Targaryen, if he was heroic, he would likely answer with a refutation. However, it’s also hard to say that he was anywhere close to the side of villainy. Instead, Maester Aemon chose wisdom, protection, and sacrifice over battle, conflict, conquest, and birthrights. In the cutthroat world of Game of Thrones, though, there is certain heroism and nobility when it comes to choosing to be good.

Rhaenys Targaryen

As a sister and partner to Aegon I, Rhaenys was a part of the bloodthirsty conquest that swept across Westeros. But compared to her siblings she was far more kind-hearted and cared for the fate of the people. In fact, it was Rhaenys who perhaps connected with ordinary folk the most. She was a huge influence in keeping the peace among the important houses and people in Westeros during the reign of Aegon. Even after his death, she continued to be a strong figure of hope, despite the chaos that would ensue. Ultimately, she was proven to be a mighty warrior with honor and a great deal of faith, which was well-respected.

Duncan Targaryen

One of the most unexpected things a Targaryen can do is abdicate the throne. Yet, that’s exactly what Duncan Targaryen did. Another ancestor (though, this one was not seen on screen) of the Targaryens, he changed the game with one move.

That move was to choose love over power. It didn’t necessarily succeed for him, but it did spawn the Jenny of Oldstones song, as she was the one who found love with Duncan. It’s a bit tragic, but there’s love among ghosts, too.

Rhaella Targaryen

The technical grandmother of Jon and mother to Dany, Rhaella Targaryen is mostly a hero for her spirit, as opposed to any of her explicit actions. Rhaella’s role was fairly inconsequential in Targaryen lore, after all. However, her resolve is a testament to the fire within them all. She experienced a horrible life, but those horrors were never turned on others at their expense. She was never the villain many might have expected.

Aegon I

The legacy of Aegon the first is a complex one. It was he who brought the kingdoms together in the first place, leaving behind misery and bloodshed. Becoming a conqueror can leave the legacy of a villain, but in his later years, Aegon softened and changed his reputation. He might have founded the royal household of the Targaryens, but he also prospered in great peace. There’s a duality to the character, therefore, between the villainy of victory and empire building and the wise and generous position he took as the King of Westeros.

Visenya Targaryen

As the sister and the wife to Aegon, Visenya was often on the front lines of all the decisions he made. Trained from a young age as a warrior, it seemed almost as if she relished the conflict. She survived the death of her husband and continued to influence the kingdom moving forward.

In fact, it’s rumored that she plotted from the shadows, even becoming responsible for the death of Aegon and ensuring that the throne would be secure moving forward. Her legacy is one of mystery, but she was far from a hero, with blood definitely washed from her hands more than once. Instability after Aegon’s death could have partially been attributed to Visenya.

Rhaegar Targaryen

Rhaegar Targaryen is a character who received much-needed rehabilitation by the end of Game of Thrones, even if questions are still abound in George R.R. Martin’s book series. At the outset, his warlike proclivity and his kidnapping of Lyanna Stark seemed like more than enough justification for inclusion on the more villainous side of the list. However, anything he did with Lyanna was done out of love, the show eventually reveals, presenting Rhaegar as much less evil than he was initially conceived of being.

Aegon V Targaryen

One of the ancestral rulers of the Targaryen dynasty, Aegon V was a largely inconsequential king, save for the lineage he furthered and the destruction he wound up inflicting.

Aegon V’s rule was one that was considered unlikely and, as such, Aegon V was prone to heeding the words of those around him, rather than trusting himself. This was troubled, but perhaps for the best, as his own instincts nearly wound up burning down many of the structures of Westeros.

Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Targaryen is definitely the median of the Targaryen house and all its members are capable of doing. For the vast majority of Thrones, her heroics and her prowess know no boundaries or limits. However, as the series winds down and the losses and digs at her power quest begin to pile up, the Targaryen mindset rises to the shore. Dany thought she was doing the right thing by the series’ end, but she was so misguided that she hardly recognized her villainy. Emilia Clarke pulled off the twisted balance expertly.

Viserys Targaryen

Viserys Targaryen has no redeeming qualities, on the other hand. Only a major part of the first season of Game of Thrones, Viserys is not only villainous and conniving, but he is also an arrogant, entitled chauvinist. In the majority of scenarios, Viserys is despicable and his cruelty would stop at nothing if power is the end result of it. Only the most evil of the Targaryens would be willing to sacrifice everything for a futile quest at an iron throne.

Aerys Targaryen

King Aerys Targaryen, also commonly referred to as the “Mad King,” is unquestionably the most villainous of the Targaryens. Now, it can be argued that his villainy was triggered by bombastic, insane impulses. However, the Mad King was plenty deranged before he threatened to burn down the world. Wildfire would’ve gone a long way, as Cersei exposed to Thrones viewers. Fortunately, he was curbed by the heroics of others, because there was no heroism that lurked deep within King Aerys.