Game of Thrones Analysis I

            The book begins as a prologue (perhaps a premonition) where three characters are out on patrol on the north side of The Wall. Desolate and cold, the outdoors however host something more dire when the three grimly meet their fates and the prologue ends. The main story, so far, involves four main Houses: Stark, Baratheon, Lannister, and Targaryen. Stark House of Winterfell, led by Eddard Stark and wife Catelyn, welcomes the arrival of King Robert Baratheon, wife Cersei, their children, and respective knights. King Robert Baratheon asks Eddard (Ned) to become his new Hand of the King. Ned, an old war friend to Robert, reluctantly agrees. Ned has suspicions about Lannister House, particularly Cersei’s brother Jaime. Elevating suspicions, Catelyn receives a secret message from her sister Lysa warning of foul play. Furthermore, Ned’s son Bran oversees Cersei and Jaime committing incest and upon being seen, Jaime throws Bran perhaps to his death.

            Meanwhile, Viserys of Targaryen House prepares an arranged marriage between his sister Danaerys (Dany) and Khal Drogo of the Dothraki. The marriage is against Dany’s will and is a power play by Viserys to regain his royalty status with help Drogo’s army. Viserys believes he, not King Robert, is rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms and swears to avenge his House’s honor.

            Upon reading, a few things stood out to me. Criticism includes the tempo of introducing the story’s family lineage to the reader. It was hard in the beginning to keep up with all the names of the characters and their stories. At first it was a turn-off, but after the first 50 or so pages I was hooked in the depth of the back stories. A question I have at this point, is Arya going to be a symbolic or important character? She has such a good/complex character and she seems unfit/unenthused for royalty but I see her stumbling on a hidden talent/skill. Also, is Martin going to include more deaths of perceived major characters? The death of Ser Waymar in the opening and the development and tragedy of Bran’s character took me by surprise. It reminded me of Hitchcock’s Psycho where Marion Crane was the supposed main character until she was unexpectedly murdered halfway through the movie.