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“ | Why?! You ask that?! You who killed your mother to come into the world? You are an ill-made, spiteful little creature full of envy, lust, and low cunning. Men's laws give you the right to bear my name and display my colors since I cannot prove that you are not mine. And to teach me humility, the gods have condemned me to watch you waddle about wearing that proud lion that was my father's sigil and his father's before him. But neither gods nor men will ever compel me to let you turn Casterly Rock into your whorehouse. Go, now. And speak no more of your rights to Casterly Rock. Go! One more thing, the next whore I catch in your bed, I'll hang. | „ |
~ Tywin's hate-filled monologue to Tyrion after he asked a claim to Casterly Rock. |
Lord Tywin Lannister is one of the main antagonists of the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones.
He is the head of House Lannister, one of the great houses of Westeros. In addition to his excessive wealth, Tywin is also one of the most successful and powerful lords of recent history. Throughout his life, he has served as the Lord of Casterly Rock, the Shield of Lannisport, Warden of the West and the Hand of the King to three separate monarchs.
Although intelligent and cunning, Tywin (like most of the nobility within Westeros) is a ruthless and power-hungry elitist. An uncompromising individual, Tywin values his family's power and image above everything else and will do whatever is necessary to keep House Lannister at the top. Backed by a successful track record, Tywin is both feared and loathed across the Seven Kingdoms by his enemies, allies, and family alike.
For the Game of Thrones television adaption, Tywin was portrayed by Charles Dance, who also portrayed The Master Vampire in Dracula Untold, Mr. Benedict in Last Action Hero, Lawrence Wargrave in And Then There Were None, Alan Jonah in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Claus in For Your Eyes Only, David Carlton in Ali G Indahouse, and Emhyr var Emreis in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Appearance[]
In the novels, Tywin is described as a tall, slender, broad-shouldered man in his fifties. In his younger years, Tywin had sleek golden hair which along with his green eyes flecked with gold are characteristics of the Lannister family. Once he started going bald, Tywin kept his crown shaven but allowed his facial hair to grow out as bushy golden side whiskers. His lips and chin, however, remain clean-shaven. A perpetual frowner, Tywin’s battle attire was a deep crimson set of plate armour trimmed with gold. He also has a cloth-of-gold cape, held in place by lion-shaped clasps.
Although largely consistent with his novel counterpart, a few of Tywin’s characteristics were changed for the Game of Thrones TV series. Firstly, Tywin was in his sixties, rather than fifties. He also retains his receding hair, which is pale blonde, rather than the golden blonde described in the book. Finally, he had a short pale blonde beard instead of whiskers. His battle attire was also identical to that of a typical Lannister soldier, except for the pauldrons which were bronze lion faces. His cape was also red, rather than golden.
Personality[]
“ | It fell to Tywin to restore House Lannister to its proper place. Just as it fell to him to rule this realm, when he was no more than twenty. He bore that heavy burden for twenty years and all it earned him was a mad king's envy. Instead of the honor he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count, yet he gave the Seven Kingdoms peace, plenty and justice. He is a just man. | „ |
~ Kevan Lannister, to Tyrion Lannister. |
Tywin Lannister is a calculating, intelligent, unpredictable, manipulative, apathetic, politically astute, ruthless, and controlling man who dedicated his whole life and all his efforts to maintaining the Lannisters' prestige, thereby ensuring that House Lannister was respected or at least feared. He is also proven to be a knowledgeable battle commander and politician, which evidently exemplifies his truly powerful presence.
One of Tywin's many flaws is that his house was solely dependent on his own intentions, and only fear kept the house alive. Without Tywin, House Lannister was no longer the same. Tywin's own bitterness and grudges against Tyrion caused his house to be unprepared for unexpected events following his death. Tywin is also incapable of withholding a grudge under any circumstances; he was unforgiving of the Reynes and Tarbecks for their insults towards House Lannister over decades; he did not forgive debts owed to him by the crown; and most importantly, he could not let go of his absolute hatred toward Tyrion for being the child his wife died giving birth to, even though he recognizes that Tyrion is the most intelligent of his children and the most similar to Tywin himself.
Another one of his flaws is his hypocrisy and pettiness. He berates his son Tyrion for sleeping with prostitutes, and it is later revealed that Tywin sleeps with prostitutes as well. He demands his children marry to gain political power, even though his own marriage brought him none, and he has not married since. He is slow to forgive anything and has little difficulty holding a grudge.
Tywin holds extremely elitist views and looks down at people of lower birth than him. He particularly views the smallfolk with disdain. During his time as Aerys' Hand, he revoked many of the rights given to smallfolk during the rule of Aegon V. He was furious when his son Tyrion married a crofter's daughter and had her raped to teach her and his son a lesson, telling him, "A Lannister is worth more." He is also angry when Janos Slynt, a butcher's son, is named Lord of Harrenhal, a castle that once housed kings. These sentiments were passed on to his daughter, Cersei Lannister, who also views commoners with contempt.
Tywin is a fervent believer in ends justifying means and is willing to do anything to ensure House Lannister maintains its place as the strongest house. He is the biggest war criminal in the series. Some of his crimes include the annihilation of several houses, the Sack of King's Landing, ravaging the Riverlands, and his most infamous act, the Red Wedding. However, unlike other villains in the series, such as Gregor Clegane or Ramsay Bolton, Tywin is not a sadist. He commits these cruel acts because he deems them necessary as a means to an end. He excuses the Red Wedding and breaking of guest right by asking why it is more noble to kill ten thousand men in battle than a dozen at dinner.
Tywin is not entirely evil, however. He deeply respects his younger brother Kevan as his right hand, always keeping him with him and valuing his advice. He also seems to have cared for his sister, Genna. He is also known to have deeply loved his wife, Joanna, one of the few people to have made him smile. It is said that the good in Tywin died with Joanna. In a conversation with Tyrion, he says that while he allows his men to commit violent crimes, Tywin himself claims to find the acts themselves distasteful and takes no satisfaction in them. For instance, he admitted to ordering the murder of Rhaegar's wife and children, but he also said he was shocked by the means by which they were carried out. He tells Joffrey that while a good leader must meet his enemies with sword and fire, should they bend the knee, he must help them to their feet. This shows he does have some standards. His time as Hand of the King during the reign of Aerys II is seen as an overall peaceful time before Aerys' succumbed to madness.
In spite of being a cunning and intelligent man, Tywin lacked compassion for his children. While he claimed that family was the most important thing to him, it was the family name and legacy that mattered to him, not the actual family itself. Only that his house needed as many heirs as possible to further the family name and keep the Lannister house strong and feared, to prevent House Lannister from falling back to the days of his father. Tywin's lack of compassion, morals, and understanding of what family truly means ultimately became his own downfall by sentencing his own son to death. In the end, Tywin Lannister cared more about power than family.
Family[]
Note: This table focuses exclusively on Tywin’s immediate family members, many of whom are important characters within the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise. Should you wish to see the full scale of the Lannister family tree, we recommend checking out House Lannister's article or the external links at the bottom of the article.
Tywin Lannister's Family |
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Titles[]
As a member of one of the seven great houses of Westeros, Tywin inherited and acquired several coveted titles throughout his life: -
Title | Role Description |
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Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | Was knighted before the War of the Nine Penny Kings. It is not known who knighted Tywin or who he squired under. |
Lord of Casterly Rock | A hereditary title, which granted Tywin ownership of Casterly Rock and all its resources. Tywin officially inherited the title in 267 AC although many would argue that he had been the acting Lord since 260 AC (see synopsis). |
Shield of Lannisport | A hereditary title, which charged Tywin with protecting the coastal city of Lannisport and all its people. He officially inherited the title in 267 AC though many argue he began serving as protector in 260 AC (see synopsis). |
Warden of the West | A hereditary title, in which the ruling monarch acknowledged Tywin as both the leader and protector of all citizens living in the Westerlands. Tywin officially inherited the title in 267 AC though many argue that he effectively became the guardian in 262 AC (see Hand of the King). |
Hand of the King | An office of appointment granted by the ruling monarch. The holder of this title will serve as the personal advisor to the King/Queen, helping them in matters of peace, war, and daily management of the Seven Kingdoms. Tywin was appointed to the position twice during his lifetime and served as the hand to three Kings: -
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Savior of the City | Tywin was granted this title in 299 AC by King Joffrey I Baratheon following the Battle of the Blackwater. The purpose of this act was to spite the mutually loathed Tyrion Lannister, by overlooking and downplaying the latter’s accomplishments, whilst allowing Tywin’s appointment as Hand of the King to run more smoothly. This title is quite ironic given that Tywin had previously sacked King's Landing in 283 AC, at the end of Robert’s Rebellion. |
Quotes[]
A Song of Ice and Fire[]
“ | Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens. | „ |
~ Tywin to Tyrion in A Storm of Swords. |
“ | The greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than the men who laugh at them. | „ |
~ Tywin to Tyrion in A Storm of Swords. |
“ | Joffrey, when your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you. And any man who must say 'I am the king' is no true king at all. Aerys never understood that, but you will. When I've won your war for you, we will restore the king's peace and the king's justice. | „ |
~ Tywin to Joffrey in A Storm of Swords. |
“ | No man is free. Only children and fools think elsewise. | „ |
~ Tywin to Tyrion. |
“ | Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens. | „ |
~ Tywin to Tyrion Lannister in A Storm of Swords. |
“ | Tyrion: So much for guest right. Tywin: The blood is on Walder Frey's hands, not mine. Tyrion: Walder Frey is a peevish old man who lives to fondle his young wife and brood over all the slights he's suffered. I have no doubt he hatched this ugly chicken, but he would never have dared such a thing without a promise of protection. Tywin: I suppose you would have spared the boy and told Lord Frey you had no need of his allegiance? That would have driven the old fool right back into Stark's arms and won you another year of war. Explain to me why it is more noble to kill ten thousand men in battle than a dozen at dinner. |
„ |
~ Tywin and Tyrion discussing the Red Wedding. |
“ | Tywin: This escape is folly. You are not to be killed, if that is what you fear. It's still my intent to send you to the Wall, but I could not do it without Lord Tyrell's consent. Put down the crossbow and we will go back to my chambers and talk of it. | „ |
~ Tywin trying to stop Tyrion from threatening his life. |
“ | Tyrion: Did you have her killed? Tywin: There was no reason for that, she'd learned her place... and had been well paid for her day's work, I seem to recall. I suppose the steward sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire. Tyrion: On her way where? Tywin: Wherever whores go. [gets mortally shot above the groin] |
„ |
~ Tywin discussing Tysha's fate with Tyrion, before getting killed by him. |
“ | Tywin: [incredulous] You shot me. Tyrion: You always were quick to grasp a situation, my lord. That must be why you're the Hand of the King. Tywin: You... you are no... no son of mine. Tyrion: Now that's where you're wrong, Father. Why, I believe I'm you writ small. Do me a kindness now, and die quickly. I have a ship to catch. |
„ |
~ Lord Tywin's demise. |
Game of Thrones[]
“ | Lannisters don't act like fools. | „ |
~ Tywin Lannister. |
“ | A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of the sheep. | „ |
~ Tywin to Jaime. |
“ | No, that's not an opinion, it's a fact! If another House can seize one of our own and hold him captive with impunity we are no longer a House to be feared. Your mother is dead, before long I'll be dead, and you, and your brother, and your sister, and all of her children. All of us, dead. All of us, rotting in the ground. It's the family name that lives on; it's all that lives on. Not your personal glory, not your honor - but family. | „ |
~ Tywin to Jaime. |
“ | Any man who must say, 'I am the king' is no true king. I'll make sure you understand that when I've won your war for you. | „ |
~ Tywin to Joffrey. |
“ | Tyrion: I'm all for cheating. This is war. But to slaughter them at a wedding... Tywin: Explain to me why it is more noble to kill ten thousand men in battle than a dozen at dinner. |
„ |
~ Tywin and Tyrion discuss the Red Wedding. |
“ | Yes. But you refused to die. I respect that. Even admire it! You fight for what's yours. I'd never let them execute you. Is that what you fear? I'd never let Ilyn Payne take your head. You're a Lannister...you're my son. | „ |
~ Tywin to Tyrion. |
“ | You are no son of mine. | „ |
~ Tywin to Tyrion, his final words. |
Differences between the Adaptations[]
- Tywin is considerably crueller in the books, especially regarding his mistreatment of Tyrion and his first wife Tysha. These factors proved essential to Tyrion’s character development, as it was the revelation that Tywin tricked him into abandoning a genuinely loving wife, not to mention how he mistreated her that convinced Tyrion to ultimately abandon House Lannister and murder his father. When the television series removed this plot and had Tywin simply throw his son under the bus for Joffrey’s murder, which included manipulating Shae into betraying Tyrion, many of the book readers accused the writers of "whitewashing" Tyrion's character.
- In the books, Jaime never made amends with his father before the latter's death. The pair simply ignored each other, and Jaime did not offer to renounce his position in exchange for Tyrion's life. In both versions, however, Jaime gave Oathkeeper to Brienne of Tarth.
- In both ASOIAF and GOT after becoming hand, Tywin attempted to find a suitable husband for his widowed daughter, ignoring her protests. For the TV adaptation, Tywin attempted to force a union between her and Ser Loras Tyrell. Ignoring Loras' homosexuality, he tried to pressure Olenna into accepting his offer, by claiming that if she and Mace did not comply, he would appoint the boy to the Kingsguard. Doing so, would rob the Tyrells of both their heir and the one person that could carry on their name. In the books, however, Loras was a member of the Kingsguard, making a union between the two of them possible. Instead, Tywin gave his seething daughter three options for a potential husband telling her to make the choice: Willas Tyrell, King Balon IX Greyjoy and Prince Oberyn Martell. Each of these marriages had the potential to bring significant benefit to House Lannister: -
- A marriage to Willas would not only strengthen the Lannister-Tyrell alliance, but it would give any future heirs access to both the Reach's wealth and resources.
- Although Balon Greyjoy was already married, the Ironborn practice polygamy. If Cersei were to become Balon's "salt wife" it could not only forge a new alliance but put an end to the hostilities. Once Tyrion and Sansa took over the North, they could acknowledge the Ironborn colonies through the family union of Balon and Cersei. Fortunately for Cersei, Balon's assassination put an end to this endeavour.
- Lastly, a marriage to Oberyn would have been a big step towards mending the Lannister-Martell relations. It would also be quite ironic because Tywin's wife Jonna had originally discussed the potential of marrying Cersei or Jaime to one of the then Princess' children Oberyn or Ellia. Tywin had originally dismissed this notion at the time, as he intended for Cersei to marry Prince Rhaegar Targrayen.
- In the books, Tywin acknowledges the Iron Islands as independent (for the time being) intending to bring them back into the fold later down the line by either marriage or force.
- When Tyrion killed his father in A Storm of Swords, he did it with a single shot to the bowels. In the GOT adaptation, Tyrion shot Tywin twice, once in the stomach, the other in the heart.
- Whilst Tywin's funeral was uneventful in the television adaptation, in A Feast for Crows, it is said that his corpse stunk so badly that few could bare to stand near it. Also due to his body drying out, Tywin's corpse started to smile, which Cersei and Jaime both found eerie.
- The fate of his corpse also varied between the adaptations. For the GOT television show, Tywin was laid to rest in the Great Sept of Baleor, where it was eventually destroyed during Cersei coup. In AFOC, however, Kevan Lannister and a Westerland retinue escorted Tywin's corpse back to Casterly Rock, where he was laid to rest in crypt.
Trivia[]
- Tywin is one of the narrators for the Game of Thrones Blu-ray Complete Guide to Westeros videos.
- In the Season 1 Blu-ray, Tywin narrates Complete Guide to Westeros videos on "The History of the Night's Watch", "Mad King Aerys" and "The Sack of King's Landing".
- For Season 3, he narrates the Histories & Lore video "The Westerlands".
- Fans consider Tywin to be one of the best examples of a "Dragon-in-Chief" type villain. Whilst ostensibly subservient to higher-ranking villains (i.e. Cersei and Joffrey), Tywin is the real power behind the throne and arguably the greater-scope villain. Not only is he a lot more powerful, patient, and intelligent but his actions drive a lot more of the plot in the early stages of the story. He has also made his so-called superiors buckle on a few occasions.
- From statements made in both A Game of Thrones and A Storm of Swords, Tywin considers Stannis Baratheon to be far more dangerous than all his other enemies during the War of the Five Kings. Even after defeating his host at the Battle of the Blackwater, Tywin feared what Stannis might do, knowing that the latter would not simply give up his claim to the throne despite his defeat. As the subsequent novels have shown, these concerns were well placed.
External Links[]
- Tywin Lannister on the A Wiki of Ice and Fire.
- Tywin Lannister on the Wiki of Westeros.