A Clash of Kings

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of physical abuse, rape, and death.

While the Seven Kingdoms employ a monarchic system of leadership based on heredity and lines of succession, the War of the Five Kings is the closest that the realm ever gets to a democratic election. The conflict between the five kings can be read as a debate between five different leadership styles. Although essentially a referendum on who would be best suited to lead Westeros, Martin also uses the juxtaposition of these approaches to drive a larger question about the characteristics needed to qualify a leader as “good.”

Joffrey Baratheon rules Westeros through fear and the power of his heritage. As the traditionally recognized Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, son of King Robert and his wife Cersei, Joffrey relies on the recognition of his status as the sitting king to wield power over armies and the realm. To maintain his grasp on both the city and the court around him, Joffrey rules by fear, quoting his mother to illustrate his leadership philosophy: “Fear is better than love” (489). Joffrey illustrates this leadership philosophy when the riot breaks out after the farewell to Myrcella: His first instinct is to send his enforcer to punish the common folk. However, they respond by humiliating him, proving that there is little to fear when the common folk greatly outnumber the king’s men, a reaction that undercuts both his power and his leadership style.

His claim is threatened by Stannis Baratheon, whose underlying leadership philosophy relies on holding the law above all else. Stannis’s obedience to the law is not only shown in his insistence on the line of succession but also in his treatment of his most loyal knight, Davos Seaworth. After suffering what Stannis sees as a just punishment that costs him his fingers, Davos is then forgiven, accepted, and rewarded for his skill and potential for service. Davos justifies Stannis’s approach, but his faith wavers in the face of Stannis’s growing desperation, which causes him to abandon traditional strategy and fall under the influence of Melisandre. Stannis’s shift to using the power of religion to take charge is a shift from his earlier philosophy, one that diminishes his power in the eyes of many of his followers.

Stannis’s claim to the throne is overshadowed by his younger brother Renly, who relies on populism to drive his campaign. Renly relies heavily on appearances and charm to court the southern noble houses into his service. When Catelyn arrives at his encampment, she is awed by Renly’s display of luxury, which extends to the styling of his Rainbow Guard. However, Renly relies so much on appearances that he fails to build substantial relationships with his allies. After he is killed, it doesn’t take long for his biggest allies, the Tyrells, to be swayed by the Lannisters, illustrating the temporary and fickle nature of power acquired through appearances.

Much like Stannis, Balon Greyjoy lives according to an imperative, but his decisions are driven by his house’s traditions. The Greyjoys have a tradition of piracy and pillaging, as stated in their house motto, “We Do Not Sow” (170). Balon’s second attempt to declare himself king deeply affects Theon, who wants to prove himself as a worthy heir to his family’s tradition but was brought up in a different culture. This disparity makes him prone to the folly of taking Winterfell, illustrating how the Greyjoy traditions and culture don’t translate well to the outside world, resulting in an inability to gain or hold power.

Finally, Robb Stark rules according to the power of loyalty, illustrated by the fact that his bannermen, not Robb himself, established him as king. Though this shows the loyalty of his allies, it also illustrates Robb’s lack of experience and commitment to the idea of being king. The lack of personal resolve also shows itself in Robb’s struggles to maintain his army as his lords return home to look after their respective households’ needs. Despite the early victories that mark his strong position at the start of this novel, Robb has little sense of how to lead apart from striking the enemy where it hurts. This not only leaves him susceptible to Theon’s capture of Winterfell but to that of Ramsay Snow, who ostensibly serves his father, a bannerman of Robb’s. Although Robb is supported by his allies, it is not enough to compensate for his lack of experience or commitment.

All five kings show respective strengths that give them advantages, proving that no single leader can comprehensively meet all the challenges and needs of the realm. However, to highlight the qualities of a powerful leader, Martin looks beyond the kings to highlight Tyrion, who comments, “Men fight more fiercely for a king who shares their peril than one who hides behind his mother’s skirts” (775). Over the course of the book, Tyrion shifts from self-serving maneuvers to true leadership. During the climactic Battle of the Blackwater, he decides to abandon self-interest and lead the charge himself. The defense of King’s Landing marks his attempt to serve his people and share in their suffering, not just resolve the needs of his family. With his actions, Tyrion illustrates the power and style of a true leader, standing in contrast to the five men who vie for the title of king.