Ned Stark: An honorable man or just a fool?

     Ned Stark seems to be guided by his own code of honor.  While he may seem like a hero, his “honor” leads to his ultimate demise.  Ned tries to do the “right” thing by preserving the legitimacy of the throne, however, his downfall comes from his foolish thinking that everyone has the same code of honor.  While Ned expresses his honor and does not stray from his beliefs, everyone in King’s Landing has a different set of values and beliefs, most of which conflict with each other.  Ned seems to be naïve in his belief that everyone has the same values, which makes him foolish and leads to his death. 

Ned stays true to his honor and is principled in his beliefs, no matter the consequences.  Ned determines the throne technically belongs to Stannis and goes to Littlefinger with a plan.  Littlefinger knows morally that Stannis would not be a good fit for king because of his holding on to grudges and know that with Stannis on the throne there will be a lot of bloodshed.  Kyle Cupp makes the argument that what Ned thinks is “best for Westeros and its inhabitants doesn’t enter into his moral calculus. Consequences don’t matter.”  Although it is not mentioned in the text, I believe that Ned does take into some consideration the repercussions of putting Stannis on the throne, but his honor and morals tells him that even though it may not yield the best results, it is still the honest/lawful and “right” thing to do.  He has good intentions when trying to preserve the throne’s legitimacy, however, the throne became illegitimate when he and Robert fought to take over the throne not long prior.  Additionally, Ned did not take into consideration when coming after Cersei is that the Targaryens had been having incestuous relations to preserve the throne when they were in power. 

Ned’s plan to expose Cersei and Jaime is not a bad plan; he did enough research to find the true heir and realize that Joffrey is a product of incest, however, Ned is foolish for thinking that everyone has the same values as him.  Palkesh Asawa says that “Ned has no reason to not trust Littlefinger, especially when his wife vouched for [Littlefinger]” however, even Littlefinger tells Ned that he should not be trusted.  Despite this, Ned works with Littlefinger to expose Cersei, but he is ultimately betrayed by Littlefinger because their values do not align; Littlefinger wants what is best for the kingdom whereas Ned is focused on honesty, legitimacy, and following the law. 

            While Ned’s code of honor was mostly following the law and being honest, others such as Cersei, Littlefinger, and Varys operated under their own different beliefs.  Cersei wanted to protect her kids and relationship with Jaime which is why she stayed to “fight” against Ned after his threat/warning to her.  Renly offered a plan to Ned the night of Robert’s death, but Ned’s honor did not allow him to carry out the plan which ultimately led to his demise because he could have gained leverage over the Lannisters, but he chose not to.  Ned chooses to tell Cersei his plans (which many people consider foolish) not necessarily to threaten her, but to protect her and her children and give her a chance to save herself.  Ned is foolish for thinking Cersei will just run away and not do anything after telling her his plan since Cersei will do almost anything to protect her kids (although Ned does not know this at the time). 

            In the North, Ned is king, so his ruling is final.  However, when he gets to King’s Landing, he is only the Hand of the King.  Ned no longer has the same power as he does in the North.  In King’s Landing, alliances have already been formed, there are spies everywhere, and everyone has different values.  Ned’s foolishness can be seen when he is quick to trust others without even knowing them.  He has been in King’s Landing for what, a week?  He already puts his trust into people he barely knows? Ned has the right intentions with his plan of preserving the legitimacy of the throne but is not careful or methodical about who he shares information with.  Jeni argues that “Ned’s mistake is that assumes that everyone behaves the same way.”  Additionally, Bud says that Ned “goes to King’s Landing and sees how nobody held honor as a priority” which can be seen with Ned and Littlefinger’s interaction when Ned asks him “have you no shred of honor?” during their plan to expose Cersei.  

            Ned is so honorable that he even lives on after death.  Asawa argues that because of Ned’s honor and the way he treats people, the northerners are quick to go to war with the Lannisters to defend the Stark name after Ned is killed, whereas when Tywin dies, nobody really cares because he is not as honorable like Ned.  The way Ned treats people leaves them with a good impression and they are willing to fight for the Stark name.  Nobody would fight for someone if they do not believe them to have honor.  Robb knows that his father was an honorable man; Ned taught his children what is right versus wrong and demonstrated his values.  If Ned is not a man of honor, then why is there such a huge conflict when he is killed?  Why make such a big deal about someone deemed to be so “foolish”?  Or why even help fight for the Stark name if Ned is a fool rather than honorable?

            Ned’s biggest problem that makes him seem like a fool is that he is too trusting of other people and naïve to the fact that not everyone has the same values as him.  In King’s Landing, he has barely been there, and he is quick to trust Varys and Littlefinger.  Little does he know that they have different intentions; they will do what they deem is best for the realm rather than what is lawful.  Everyone has spies and other people “in their pockets” whereas Ned has nobody but his own men.  Ned is not only betrayed by Littlefinger, but in the dungeon, Ned talks to Varys who explicitly tells him that he just wants what is best for the realm when questioned about whose side he is on.  Ned is also betrayed by Joffrey who gives him a chance to admit treason (which Ned did not want to do because he stands by his actions and his own honor).  Ned contemplates this decision whether to trust Cersei and Joffrey and chooses to admit treason, however, he is betrayed again by Joffrey who goes rogue and chooses to have Ned executed after saying he would spare his life. 

Ned may be seen as “honorably foolish” because he is a man of honor in that he chooses to follow the law and do the “right” thing, but he is foolish for thinking he can trust others and that they have the same beliefs as him.  Everyone is different and not everyone is going to think the same which makes Ned naïve for not being able to understand this idea.  Ned paid the price with his own life, but his legacy and honor lives on after his death through his kids and the people that he interacted with throughout his life.  I give props to Ned for trying to do the right thing (even after the Hand before him was murdered for trying to do the same thing), but dang Ned, why couldn’t you see that you were being played? You could’ve taken the throne for yourself and used your honor and values to do good for the kingdom.  However, your legacy will live on and your honor will not be forgotten.