Finally, no more somersaults & giggling – Thank you GoT!
In your stereotypical films and novels, dwarfs are usually hopping, flipping, and giggling around. Beinoff and Wiess said “NO MORE SOMERSAULTS!” Tyrion Lannister is a dwarf with powerful standing in Westeros. An “imp”, an “halfman” with power? Who thought that this was possible? Finally, a film that depicts a dwarf in a positive manner. (I know dwarf is an offensive term- however I am using it to stick within the language of medieval times. It is not okay to walk up to a little person and call them a dwarf!)
It is well known that Tyrion is quite the “ladies’ man.” I mean, I’m sure he could talk his way into anyone’s pants. Usually, dwarves are asexualized- yet Tyrion is quite masculine and it’s no secret that he is a good tipper. As Blumson said “Tyrion is an imperfectly perfect character with a penchant for whoring, drinking, and reading.” It is no secret that he is a fan favorite; we adore the short statured man.
https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Prostitution
Tell me that you didn’t laugh at the scene where Tyrion said “Drinking and lust; No man can match me in these things. I am the god of tits and wine.” What about the scene when he said “It’s not easy being drunk all the time. If it were easy, everyone would do it.” Tyrion is a character that we laugh with, not at. In this way, Bienoff and Weiss used a dwarf as a comic relief as they typically are. But the writers provided the laughs with a twist. Use of dwarfs in literature serve as a character whom society often teases. Bienoff and Weiss said NO MORE! This funny and cunning dwarf does not go flipping around, giggling, and telling jokes as if he were in the circus. Instead of laughing at Tyrion we are laughing with him. We can thank dark humor, and many comments that we would have never thought we would hear from our television speakers.
When George R. Martin was designing Tyrion as a dwarf character, it was very strategic. Tyrion Lannister is a character that Martin wanted to show evolving through the series. We can start with Tyrion’s relationship with his father Tywin. Tyrion was the least favorite son of Tywin Lannister. Tyrion is forced to cope with a poor relationship with his father his entire life. Tywin was embarrassed that he had a disabled son. Blumson argues that Tywin “launched all of his vitriolic grief at Tyrion.” Tywin ordered his guards to rape Tysha, a girl whom Tyrion loved. Before Tyrion found himself in King’s Landing the jobs his father lined up for him were paltry. Would you want to manage the sewer? That’s some shit. It is easy to see that Tyrion has let this relationship affect his character. It is through this abuse that Tyrion becomes empathetic. Children and broken things have a special place in his heart. Despite the fact, that the father/son relationship is absolute trash Martin has crafted it to positively affect Tyrion in a way that makes him a better person.
In result of the mockery Tyrion has had to experience he decided that he is short but will not be a fool. Dwarfism has made Tyrion intelligent. He once said “a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep it’s edge.” Tyrion lacks height but uses intelligence to make up for it. After Tyrion made his way to King’s Landing as the hand of the King to pull one of the cleverest tricks in the book to see who lies allegiance to Cersei. Tyrion has composed 3 different stories to tell 3 different men on the small council. He has told Pycell, Varys, and Littlefinger that he is going to marry Cersei’s youngest off to 3 different families. That way when information gets to Cersei he knows exactly who lacks loyalty to him. Pycell was the man who laid his allegiance to Cersei. Tyrion knew this when Cersei was so upset after hearing that her daughter was being used as a bargaining chip to win the Martell’s loyalty and support in the war. WOW, what a cunning an effective way to learn the ropes of the council. I have seen no other character in the series pull something as clever and political as this maneuver.
https://the-avocado.org/2017/11/24/game-of-thrones-rewatch-season-two-episode-three-what-is-dead-may-never-die-episode-four-garden-of-bones/
Not only is Tyrion empathetic but he is also the kindest character in the series. Kindness is what sets Tyrion apart from the other characters in the series. Tyrion’s dwarfism is the root of his care for children, the broken, and bastards. All of which are seen as weak or different in society just like dwarfs are seen in the society. Tyrion made Bran a saddle that he could use now that he is paralyzed. He once said “Tens of thousands of innocent liv, one not-particularly innocent dwarf. Seems like a fair trade.” A moment where Tyrion seemed incredibly empathetic was when he provided protection of Sansa after the beating in the throne room. He even visited her to check on her. Also, when Tywin insists that Tyrion marries Sansa he refuses. Despite Sansa’s beauty and power- he cannot wed her because it was his family who has killed most of hers. But if I was Sansa, I’d marry Tyrion. He is her best shot at marrying a good man.
Game of Thrones has adapted Tyrion’s character from book to film. In the novel Tyrion looks quite different. In the novel Snow described Tyrion as “a dwarf, half his brother's height, struggling to keep pace on stunted legs. His head was too large for his body, with a brute's squashed-in face beneath a swollen shelf of brow. One green eye and one black one peered out from under a lank of hair so blonde it seemed white.” Obviously, that does not sound like the Tyrion we have fallen in love with. This adaption was probably made due to money, and to aid in the making of the script (Renfro). However, the point is Beinoff and Weiss have been nicer to Tyrion than Martin ever was. The adaptations that were made by the writers to create a more positive depiction of Tyrion. Failing to chop off his nose and make his appearance as brutal as Martin described him in the novels allows the film’s audience to humanize him and make him a man for the people. Morgoth said “Arguments can be made about how he lost his moral ambiguity and some of his complexity as a character, but I’d say that removing the “bad bits” didn’t make him a “lesser” character. If anything, it was an improvement.” You can also say that the series on film goes even further into sympathizing with dwarves. The show condemns teasing and mean behavior through how they present Tywin and his treatment of Tyrion.
Finally, no more somersaults and giggling- thank you Game of Thrones. When Martin crafted Tyrion as a character, he knew he wanted the audience to like him. Tyrion is arguably the most morally sound and just good character within the series. Martin did a spectacular job in directing Tyrion’s character development. Audiences love to pull for the underdog and that is what Tyrion is. Tyrion was able to rise above the ashes and make himself a better man through all the hard situations that life threw him. Beinoff and Weiss could not have done a better job humanizing Tyrion.
Works Cited
Blumsom, Amy. “Tyrion Lannister: How the Hard-Drinking Dwarf Became Game of Thrones' Biggest Player.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 20 May 2019, www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2019/05/20/tyrion-lannister-game-thrones-season-8-finale-hand-queen-player/.
Morgoth. “From the Maester's Desk: The Two Sides of Tyrion Lannister: Watchers on the Wall: A Game of Thrones Community for Breaking News, Casting, and Commentary.” Watchers on the Wall, 17 Aug. 2017, watchersonthewall.com/maesters-desk-two-sides-tyrion-lannister/.
“r/Asoiaf - (Spoilers All) A Dwarf's Perspective on Tyrion Lannister.” Reddit, www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/1fr588/spoilers_all_a_dwarfs_perspective_on_tyrion/.
Renfro, Kim. “Tyrion Lannister Was Supposed to Look Drastically Different on 'Game of Thrones'.” Insider, Insider, 31 May 2017, www.insider.com/game-of-thrones-tyrion-different-books-show-2017-5.
I respect the way you made sure to incorporate that the word dwarf is a derogatory term and that you were only using it to stay with the lingo of medieval times. I do agree that Tyrion is shown as a much stronger character than just being the butt end of a joke. I absolutely agree that the relationship between Tyrion and his father has played a huge part in his actions as well as how he carry’s himself throughout the show. Tyrion was a smart man to see who’s loyalty was true or not. I think by incorporating this scene that lets readers see that he shouldn’t be taking as a joke seeing as how he was able to point out disloyal members of the council without even lifting a finger should be proof enough to show he’s a force to be wrecking with. However, saying that Sansa should marry Tyrion because it’s her best bet, I can not agree with. He is still a man that shows that he sees women more as a trophy through the show.
ReplyDeleteTyrion is one of the characters in Game of Thrones that I have always respected the most. He was always honest, true, and kind to the people he needed to be that for. I like how you described him throughout your entire blog. He does grow stronger throughout the series, but he also never took anything to heart when he was bashed by not only his family, but everyone else in the realm as well. I agree with you in saying his dwarfism does make him more intelligent and more keen to protect those who are also crippled in a way.
ReplyDeleteI also missed the part about Tyrion making Bran the saddle and that is one of my favorite parts in the entire series because he wants to help out another cripple. He doesn't do this because he is the reason for Bran almost dying, he doesn't do this because his family is the reason, he does this because he genuinely want to help the boys condition in a positive direction.
DeletePeter Dinklage--the actor who plays Tyrion--has spoken about how hard it is to get roles as a little person that are not insulting or stereotypical. I'm hopeful that Tyrion Lannister's character on Game of Thrones will lead to a host of new complex characters for little people.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog and getting a more insighful look into Tyrion and his character. I think you did a great job at capturing him and the impact he had during the show. The way he cares for people without others knowing about it. For example, when he talked to Jon Snow about being a "bastard" or how he go the idea to make the Bran the saddle so he could ride again. I believe Tyrion is a very strong character throughout Game of Thrones and is actually one of my favorites.
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