Hope you all enjoy this one! Considering the limited information about his past, there was a lot to discuss. If you want ones on Tyrion, Jaime, and Cersei, give the video a like or some sort of supportive action...I dunno, just glad you're watching, really. Patreon link: patreon.com/mylittlethoughttree Instagram link: instagram.com/little_thought_tree

I think for someone who needs to feel in control of everything, losing a beloved wife in childbirth to a disabled baby would be his worst nightmare. He didn't have any power to save his wife, and he didn't have any power over Tyrion's dwarfism, it, like many disabilities, just happened by chance. It's sad he can't see Tyrions value because of this, insanely intelligent, charming and good hearted. Tyrion not only makes Tywin angry and disappointed but he is also a living reminder of Tywins biggest fear; impotence.

I was particularly thrilled to see you noted that Tywin's "stealing" of Shae from Tyrion was an acknowledgement that Tyrion *is* actually a rival and threat. I remember having a huge "a-HA!" moment while reading the book and encountering that scene.

I imagine Joanna must have been something like Margaery Tyrell, someone who is also ambitious but in her own arena that would just bolster him and not take away from him.

The passage I always remember about Tywin was "He threatened to smile," and its such a terrible thing!! Gives me goosebumps to remember.

I enjoyed this analysis but I do think there were a couple things missed. Genna Lanister (Tywin's sister) speaks to Jamie about how she loved Tywin after his death, because he was the only one who spoke out against their father betrothing her to one of the Freys. The marriage proposal was so bad that other lords laughed at it, but Tywin was the only one to actually object. I think perhaps too much symapthy is given to Tytos in the beginning here. I don't think it's entirely fair to characterize Tywin's hatred of his own father as ego. On some level I think that's correct, but Tytos wasn't just a gentle ruler that other lords laughed at. He was doing real harm to the Lannister family. I've always found Tywin's relationship with his siblings to be quite interesting in that you might expect someone who was so cold, and cruel to be feared by his siblings, but both seem to give him a great deal of respect and not out of fear, and they genuinely seem to mourn his passing. To me this indicates that he wasn't always cold and cruel and perhaps started out with better intentions than he is often given credit for. That's not to say he is in the right by flooding a castle and drowning everyone inside, but I think younger Tywin may not have been as willfully cruel or petty as older Tywin. Something else to note is that there is a theory that Tyrion is actually the son of Joanna and Aerys II as it's mentioned that Aerys always lusted after Tywin's wife, and that Tywin tried to resign as Hand of the King after Aerys "insulted" his wife during a tournament. Less than a year later Tyrion was born. While this may or may not be the case I think it makes a lot of sense that Tywin may have believed, or have been suspicious of this himself. Tyrion's an insult to him not just because he's a dwarf, but because it's Aerys killing his wife.

I think a large part of Tywin's dislike of Aerys had to do with Joanna. He made lewd jokes and "took liberties" with her. Most people think that means felt up at the bedding ceremony. Plus naming Jamie to the King's guard.

I always considere Tywin to be one of the most tragic characters in ASoIAF. Born in a rich but failing family because of his father's poor leadership, he essentially spent his entire childhood suffering slights, insults and getting stepped over while being powerless to do anything about it because of his father. He worked really hard to raise his house from the ashes, gathering the respect of his friends and foes alike, and even the love of his brothers like Genna and Kevan, but most importantly he could marry his beloved Joanna and have a happy life with her. But as the time goes on, his own great capabilities as a ruler end up working against him, gathering the envy of King Aerys, one who once called him a good friend, who ended up becoming very similar to Tytos in a couple of ways, aka becoming the reason why he couldn't stop suffering slights and mockeries, only that this time Aerys partook in humiliating Tywin and also Joanna. And then, the hard earned happiness he had was ripped away from him when Tyrion was born. Joanna died giving birth to a ''little monster made to remind Tywin that he shouldn't have put himself above the King''. Pretty much something inside Tywin broke and he literally didn't care anymore about anything but Lannister's legacy, becoming blind to anything else, something that in the end costed him both his life and his legacy as well. Compared to a lot of brutal and corrupt characters in the book and the show, Tywin is probably the one you can understand the most. Is it really a surprise that he became such a brutal, uncaring and petty man considering how much shit he had to endure since birth? It's the beauty of his tragedy: a man who reacted in the worst way possible to the misfortune he received, and ended up spreading the same misfortune he suffered tenfold.

I think the manner of Tywin’s death was fitting. It was such an undignified, ridiculous death, killed while sitting on the toilet by his own son. What an ironic demise for a man that was so preoccupied by power, having influence, and family legacy, and his concern with other people’s opinion of House Lannister (despite the saying “a lion does not concern itself with the opinion of sheep”). Even during Season 8 (which everyone gives out about), although unsatisfying, I do think Cersei and Jamie’s deaths were somewhat fitting, as it was so unceremonious.

I think the depths of his denial speak volumes of his character. Tywin never, for 20 years made any contingency plans for his inheritance. Jaime become a Kingsguard at 15 and remained one. Yet, Tywin seemingly refuses to acknowledge that Jaime will not inherit from him at some point. He scoffs at Cersei's ambition and is repulsed by Tyrion's claim. Yet, he doesn't remarry to sire more worthy sons. He sees marriages as bargaining tools, a transaction, yet he doesn't do the obvious thing himself. Nor does he favours one of his nephews to train up for the role. That's some narcissistic delusions right there.

Tywin's treatment of Arya in the show I think was meant to build on Cersi's back story. Since she either says in the show, or it's mentioned in the books that She used to dress as if she was Jaime, and because they were twins she could get away with being a man. Arya is dressed as a Boy, when she first becomes Tywin's cup barer and he catches her. He tells her that she reminds him of someone he used know. Probably his Daughter, or maybe Joanna was the same way, which would paint a complete picture. Cersi remarks later how she would have been the son her Father wanted, if she had only been a man. Because she listened to every word he ever said. she learned to Sword fight like Arya, since she used to pretend to be Jaime, and could do things that boys did or men do. Even in the books she takes on sort of being the man in her relationship with the one Lady she sleeps with. So I think Tywin, at least in the show prized women sort of over stepping the more female roles. For Challenging him the way you were saying. over all though this was a great Video, thanks for the entertainment.

Your insight comparing the stability of the Lannisters and the Starks after the deaths of their patriarchs is brilliant and could be a video on its own, especially in the broader scope of fiction in general. Authoritarian, insecure power is ethereal because it lacks the key ingredient to sustained strength: distribution. A leader has to be willing and able to build up those around them, especially the next generation, if the progress they've made is to be sustained. By its nature that practice can lead to challenges to the leader's authority, which Tywin is loth to tolerate. That is so cool and the contrast had never occurred to me before. You rock. Please never stop making these.

Could you do a video on Stannis? He’s personaly my favorite character, and i just love the way he keeps going no matter the circumstances. I’d say his personality is very interesting, especially since his two brothers are the polar opposites of him and each other

I was sad when Tywin got shot because his unique complexity added depth to the Lannister’s story.

I think Tywin's punishment of women reflects a seething hatred of women. It was Lady Tarbeck who planted the seeds of rebellion on the Castemeres and the Tarbecks, she used the wealth of Casterly Rock to rebuild her family and Twin must've known she had been trying to marry into the family for years. His father's mistress humiliated him by lording over everyone in Casterly and using his mother's clothes. Tyrion's first marriage made him feel less because his lowly son had the guile to marry a low born woman. And of course, Cersei's incompetence. He has a very deep misogynistic attitude, that goes beyond what is expected of a common Westerosi noble. And that rubbed off on Cersei to a degree, who views her own gender as less and is pretty hateful towards any other woman.

Thank you for the video. In the show I was really enjoying Tywin, thanks to the marvellous Charles Dance. I saw him in many productions and he always, as an actor, is a force to be reckoned with...

"The rains of castamere, his wrestler intro music"

The laughing. He never laughs or smiles. He distrusts both. A direct result of everyone always laughing at his Father and Family. So glad you pointed that out as that fact in and of itself led to the death's of thousands. The butterfly effect at it's most brutal.

On Tywin's humiliation weakness: I always imagined one of Olenna Tyrell's motivations for the Purple Wedding, beyond opportunity and "hiding in plain sight", was to have a public "hit" on Tywin's grandson. "To kill a man at a wedding, what sort of monster would do such a thing?" is not foreshadowing but relishing and bragging about her plans. So, while I never thought of Tywin that way, it does make sense.

Enjoyed that :) i think the world breaks most of the characters in the books, as said earlier I think some of the interesting tweaks change things a little, like the kings guards not being allowed to inherit and sire children, this adds to not being able to get rid of Tyrion as he is a backup to inheriting the house (partly why he would rather not have him "marrying") but still wants to torture him because he killed Joanna by birthing. Ignoring and secreting Jaime and cersis' affair is as stated above a great crime so would threaten the house (not so much incest but the White Guard issue).

This timing is perfect cause I just finished reading the series a couple months ago. I always thought that Tywin deserved more appreciation for how good of a character he is because he's just as flawed and emotional as all the Lannisters (or anyone else) but then people always just only noticed how he portrayed himself when they talk about him. I liked your thoughts on it. Great video, can't wait for more Song of Ice and Fire!

I saw Tywin’s biggest flaw was that despite his masterful ability of holding everything together, he never really teaches any of his children this. He despises Tyrion, treats Cersei like property and basically just tells Jaime to hurry up and figure out how to be a man and a leader. He did seem to genuinely love and enjoy his wife, Joanna. She even makes Tywin laugh.

Cousins marrying was definitely accepted by the society in Westeros

“Those unwilling to control their emotions and actions that follow will be subject to incredible injustice”. - Common Sense

" i don't think two very simplistic points entirly encapsulate this character" Fantastic insight. well done.

As a therapist from the US, I always appreciate your videos and thoughtful analysis of characters in media.

I feel not analyzing Cersei's relationship with Tywin was a missed opprotunity, especially because in the books, she constantly justifies her rule as regent as a literal continuation of Tywin's legacy and a indeed an improvement over him, much like Tywin regarding his own father. In the show, the plot develops Cersei as first clumsy and self-destructive, but unlike book Cersei (at least for now) show Cersei eventually does become a master political strategist, destroying all of her rivals an attaining the right to sit the Iron Throne even though she has nor right or legitimacy to do so largely because in one stroke, she destroys all those who would challenge her in the Great Sept in a blistering callback to Reynes and Tarbecks.

I'm only about halfway through the vid, but one thing about Tywin that I always thought interesting was the immense evidence that he had a "secret tunnel" built from the Hands tower to the city brothel, while showing his complete hatred for "Whores" throughout the books it seems he's a john as well.

Tywin is an admirably ruthless pragmatist when it comes to war and political strategy ... but when applied to family and allies 😬 Yikes.

I've wanted this video for soooo long, i was off utube for 3 to 4 weeks now and returning to it definitely didn't disappoint

Tywin is widely regarded as brilliant but is that because a lot of his actions have just so happened to work out for him. His most atrocious actions were lead by his emotions which subsequently led to the demise of his house. No one even cares that he’s dead.

Tywin didn't want to make himself look strong and formidable. Tywin was strong and formidable. His victories were manifestation of those qualities.

I am loving this playlist! This is all so very on point.

Just started and it’s already a fantastic video!

This is absolutely brilliant! By far the best analysis of tywin's psyche i've seen. The psychology of the characters and family relations are precisely the reason i love ASOIAF and especially house lannister so much. Please,please please do tywin's kids as well! P.S. i believe Tywin convinced himself that tyrion wasn't his son, in a massive effort to deny their "shameful" similarities. It worked alright, as the mad king was lustful, spiteful and had some low cunning as well.

Dude, that Tyrion’s birth killed Tywin’s beloved (or rather the only person who seemed to help proliferate his happiness) yet Tyrion was the child most like his father - in spite of the fact that Tyrion embodied Tywin’s fear of impotence & implicit contempt of senseless adultery in deference of House Lannister’s survival in a world where Great Houses (i.e. Tully, Frey, Baratheon etc.) seemed to collapse under the weight of their own geo-political importance - is such a fucking incredible cautionary tale. He essentially became his own contempt for his own father, inverted for Tyrion’s inherent yearning for love and respect, something Tytos as the Head of House Lannister was capable of in spite of the inter-house political problems that characteristic created. The story of Tywin & Tyrion Lannister is truly GRRM’s masterpiece. That’s the great Charles Dance was given an incredible source material to build his performance from was just MAGICAL. You could even posit that Tywin was (and Tyrion up until Season 8) the only spot where D&D didn’t compromise their source material

I think you are pretty much spot on with everything. One thing you did not mention is the possibility of Tyrion being son of Aerys and Joanna. If you are not aware, some people believe Tyrion might secretly be Targaryen, because Aerys had designs on Tywin's wife and some people think maybe he is Tyrion's father. Personally I do not think that is the case, but I think maybe that is what Tywin believes or at least suspects. That is probably why he is repeatedly denying that Tyrion is his son and how he justifies all the horrible treatment of him.

brillianr analysis!! it's the first video of yours that i've seen so far and it was an incredible watch, so thank u only want to highlight another thing about tywin: he doesn't just need control and an upperhand in all situations, he doesn't just need people to give him the result he seeks - he also demands a total compliance in the process and procedural details. it's been very well highlighted in his first appearance - the man of his status most certainly doesn't need to butcher and take apart the stag himself, he has legions of servants who would gladly do it for him, yet he has very little trust in their abilty to do things as he wants them done, so he gets to work.

An excellent analysis. Especially when considering that you are not an ASOIAF book nerd. Even bringing up relevant points from the show. (suppresses the urge to spit at mention of the show)

YO the ROC remix in the background is so Kool!!

Tywin in the books is essentially Tytos, but ashamed enough to hide it

Loved this! Please do more videos about GOT (focusing on the earlier seasons lol)!You deserve SO MANY more views than you get on videos like this! Much love ❤️

Ooo! Relatively new content about Tywin, time to watch!

I wish you would've gone more in detail about Tywin's relationship with his children, though in a way, maybe that would fit better into individual videos about these children. You said really everything when it comes to Tywin's side of it. All of the Lannister kids are such complex characters, and I find their relationship to their father -- especially AFTER their father's death most striking. In a way, it seems they all learned something from their father. Whether they can use that for a positive or negative outcome ultimately though depends on them. In that, I find it most fascinating how these traits and the image Tywin created (which are often looked at in a very negative light as they concern Cersei or Tyrion) can also be used positively. When it comes to the Lannisters after Tywin's death, the general consensus seems to be (as also in your video) that his actions and traits that made his family big will also probably destroy it, mostly due to how these actions affected Tyrion (splintering away from the family, joining Dany and possibly in the future coming back with three dragons and a desire for vengeance -- though it's unclear if he would just kill Cersei or also seek further revenge on Jaime, as he seems to be conflicted about that) and Cersei (the way she rules King's Landing, thinking she is tywin reborn, just better, and doesn't really seem to make a lot of friends there -- even alienating her own uncle and brother). And this perspective is certainly fitting. However, on a positive note, we also shouldn't ignore that Tywin's reputation and lessons had a great part when Jaime took Riverrun without spilling any blood. And that's where this whole thing becomes a lot more complicated. Jaime is maybe in regards to his relationship to Tywin the child who's least talked about, even if he maybe took the lessons he drew from Tywin's life and death in the most positive way. It shows that ultimately, Tywin despite his many flaws, is a character you can learn from and as his son, Jaime can take advantage of his reputation. Whether that "inheritance" is to be used ina positive or negative way, toward the family's goals, his own personal goals or a "general good", depends mostly on the character individually.

Really interesting take on a great character. I always saw him a competent to the point of being sociopathic... willing to pay whatever cost for the most sensible and beneficial result ("Tell me why it is more moral to kill 10,000 men in battle than a dozen at dinner." and so on). And with this being the case, his father's jovial manner would have not made any sense to him - an inefficient personality in pole position. And in some sort of Nietzschian reality, his strongest will is what got him into pole position for the majority of his life. I never really visualised him as having such an egotistical personality, and now that I think about it, it adds an interesting layer to him. Tempted to go back and watch/read him all over again and see which take jumps to me as being his motivation.

I really enjoyed your analysis of Tywin and would enjoy seeing ones his children.

Interesting analysis. I'd only object to the statement of Tywin being an egotist - he wasn't as much focused on exalting himself, but rather his family (or at least his idea of House Lannister). In this regard he is really similar to Hitler and his idea of German Nation - it's tribalistic, para-egotistical collectivism, but employed on a personal level only by Lord Tywin, Cersei and Joffrey to a degree, and maybe Maester Pycelle.

When Lord Tywin's hair began to recede, he shaved his head. Lord Tywin doesn't believe in doing things in half measures. That line from the book sums him up

I love this video. Excellent analysis! Though he’s more one dimensional, an analysis of Roose might be interesting.

Tywin for me was one of the most interesting characters in the entire show.

Really great video!

Ironically, by the end, Tyrion became the tallest Lannister alive

This video was really interesting. Would love to hear your thoughts on other ASOIF characters!

Wonderful insight. Thank you.

Give me hope, Joanna. Possibly the best named character mentioned in the story. She may have been his last chance to relax.

Would you ever consider covering Mr. Robot? There are lots of good therapy scenes and the show tackles the main characters' mental health extremely interestingly. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I AM a GOT nerd and that was excellent analysis!!

1 of my favourite Charakters though I love tyrion more. I guess its the Lack of pov chapters in the books but still I love him

I believe Tywin had 3 dominant characteristics. The intellect, the snake, and the warrior. Though unfortunately they were split among his three children. Tyrion is the genius and the best at strategy and political power. Jaime was the warrior through and through. Lastly Cersie was the snake, always doing things behind the scenes just like her father. Tywin was unable to unify them together due to his pride and dehumanizing Tyrion.

I’d love to see a breakdown in Joffreys character. Maybe analyze Targaryen’s throughout history as well

I really feel like I was educated properly as to Tywin's mindset, as I definitely held both opinions of Tywin being a reprehensible dickhead and being a super-efficient badass all at once. I think people who like him feel really out of control at times look to him and through him, they feel that power, that control. But I think as a therapist, you're maybe a lot closer to how George R.R. Martin himself sees Tywin. I think given that GRRM is famously anti-war, he wouldn't see someone like Tywin as a badass, but as an ultimately fragile man who feels out of control most of the time, and externalises that shame onto others. And people pay for it with their lives. This was a great video.

This is an excellent video, but the Rains of Castamere trap remix is making bop my head more than listen.

I don't think Tywin has any sexuality, just utter pragmaticism. When he uses women against men, he shows them A) look at your weakness, it's punishing you B) I don't have that weakness, contrary to popular belief I am better than you in ALL aspects, even the lowest of humanity Watch again how he is killed: with his pants down, witnessed relieving himself from thd lowest of human urges. That's the situation that Tyrion finds the guts, pardon the pun, to pull the trigger.

I learned something new today 👌🏽💯

Incredible video

its finnally hitting, tywin cutting up that deer is symbolic, the lanisters messing up the beratheons can't believe it took me years to realise that

Please keep doing these! I'd love to see a Theon video.

In regards toTywin making his father's mistress make a "Walk of Atonemenmt", I believe you overlooked the tactical aspect of that act. This was a clear declaration to all that his father's era. an era of weakness, was over. There was a coldpracticality to it, as well as the layers of control and perhaps a bit o underlying jealously as well. Tywin is brilliantly written as complex, layered,and as nuanced as any sharacter in fiction other than Elric of Melnibone.

Martín loves to mirror characters across his different stories. Tytos being weak and amiable could also be seen in King Viserys I.

I think there is a lot in the story Oberyn told Tyrion at Jeoffreys wedding, about how he was promised to Cersei and Elia to Jaime, when Joanna was still alife. That the lady of Casterly Rock and the Princess of Dorne were great friends, but when the Dornish arrived at the Rock, Joanna just had died, Tywin was cold, he offered Tyrion to Elia. And then the Princess of Dorne proceeded to get HER daughter married to Rhaegar instead of Cersei. And that even though Aerys dispised the Dornish, so I guess Dorans and Oberyns mother must have been a diplomatic powerhouse. And she "cheated" Tywin out of his "right" to Rheagars hand in marriage. That had an influence on how Tywin came down on Kings Landing. Imagine having a grugde so hart you punish a CITY for it. And I might misremember, but I think Tywins sister said that he never smiled after Joannas death, but Ned remembered a grim smile over the children of Rheagar (or rather Elia. Tywin had her legacy taken because she had dared to win over Cersei). And Tywins funeral, how he stank (likely a metaphor for his being rotten on the inside), how nobody really cared, except for Cersei who has quite the breakdown. Like with Oberyns daughters we can see a facet (or more) in each of his children: Jaime (his aunt claims there is some of all of her brothers in him, except Tywin, but I do not think she knew her brother well enough, even though she is perceptive for a Lannister) is his guilt, his feeling of not being enough. Cersei is his ambition, the fight against the prior generation (like she wants him to be remembered only because SHE is his daughter), his narcisstic tendencies. And Tyrion... He is all that Tywin said, only that Tywin himself failed to see that in himself, too. I am only wondering if maybe the marriage of Tywin and Joanna might not have been all roses and daisies and if maybe he was not faithful to her (he was separated from her for long stretches of time and even though only Tyrion and Cersei seem to drink to cope, maybe Tyrions other coping mechanism was shared by Tywin?). Also I have wondered about the parallels the Lannisters might have to the House of Denethor in the Lord of the Rings (even though Faramir is no dwarf and Boromir had no twin sister.

To be fair on Tywin. His dad IS a mockery with or without Tywin. Money keep a family living and Tytos just lend it away. Ruler isn't supposed to be a yes man on a group, no one is, but Tytos. Multiple times, I think four, the King have to send hisown army to help Lannister take care of Bandits (?) simply because Tytos is just too "kind" to make sure the security on the Westerlands is kept. Tytos is not pure bad but he is bad. I don't think it is fair to analyze his mockery because Tywin try to fix house Lannister and their rule over Westerlands.

Love the insights

love this video

In Dungeons and Dragons he would be Lawful Evil. In Palladium Fantasy he would be Aberrant.

Amazing vid

He had a bitterly sarcastic manner and was very intimidating with that cold death stare that looked right through you, but he had a softer side not many people would see as he cared for Arya.

In case no-one else mentioned, Tywin's mother is Jeyne Marbrand :) Love your content btw, fascinating stuff!

Tywin punished his fathers mistress because she was wearing his late mother's jewelry and ordering around the servants as if she was anything more than a mistress. It had nothing to do with jealousy or resentment toward his father.

He’s the greatest lord and the most powerful person in Westeros. He had won all the war in his lifetime and technically conquered the 7 kingdoms in his palm but he will always lose that one war, the one and only war, he lost the war within himself 🥹☹️🥲.

One incredibly strong and ruthless leader. He would have been a great King if he wasn't so ruthless. I do admire him in a way though. I think he's had to be tough just to survive and get to the top.

Tyrion was a perfect representation of his father, weak to his vices, yet powerful in ability. Tyrion was all the fear tywin had to his name, a representation visually of how tywin felt for the actions shown, and a mirror to his father. The glory and fear of the rains of castamere, killed by a dwarf on the pot as the most helpless he could have been. I honestly don't agree with him caring what others think for personal reasons, it's shown and stated that tywin did what he did if he saw it as a benefit to himself. He punished bakers for mixing sawdust in their bread, but only so the people would be more accepting of his deeds under aerys. He did everything with purpose and buried emotions so deep it became his poison, to rule through fear rather than respect is what cost him, forgetting the lessons of the past, his own past of doing what benefits others to benefit himself, now he only cares about his legacy as a ruler, and died the most disgraceful way possible.

Considering Tywin using the lens provided by political psychology and sociology, it can be said that his political skills masked the hollow at its core. Tyrion proved to b e the greater politician. Based on the show: Some commentators state that Tywin was a Machiavellian. He was, but only to the extent that Tywin had only one scruple: Acquire power. He was good at acquiring power; he just lacked the imagination to put that power to good use. His motives were crude and stupid. He created nothing but misery. Tyrion, on the other hand, had the political skills needed to survive in the dangerous world he inhabited, he did so as a Lord, but a Lord denied significant power. Westros was dangerous for Tyrion because of his misshapen body, because he had a father who hated him and vicious, because he was a Lannister in a treacherous political environment and because only Jamie would miss him when he was gone. He was all but friendless. He had drinking and whoring buddies at best. Tywin died on the privy, killed by the son he despised and tried to murder. Tywin hated Tyrion so much that he made a point to eliminate love in his life. Tywin wanted to wear the boot perpetually grinding on Tyrions face. If that specific hatred was the reason Tyrion killed him, that was good as any. In my interpretation of the show, the murder of Tywin was the turning point of the story. It marked the end of the old Westros and the begining of the transition to the new Westros. Tyrion survived the wars that came using his wits. When he encountered Dany, he shed his cynicism and committed himself to her cause. Tyrion's mistakes when in Dany's service, for which he blamed himself, were mostly the products of the Fog of War. The greatest mistake was his belief in Dany, a belief born of hope and of the politics he learned while in Westros. When Dany burned King's Landing, when she killed innocent people, she was Tywin-like in her vengeance. She had shown this trait during her ascent. Her burning King's Landing realized a vague threat she had made years before. Tyrion already had doubts about her before the deed. When she burned King's Landing, Tyrion quickly took actions to rectify this mistake. He convinced Jon Snow to murder the women he loved. He then publicly rejected her, thus sealing his fate. Then Jon Snow took her life. Both were imprisoned, only to emerge after created a new political form that replaced dynastic succession with election by the lords of the realm. That is what has been called the Machiavellian Moment, which occurs when a new political form comes into. This was not Tyrion's plan. He wanted to make Dany Queen. But it was the political innovation Westros required if it was to survive and progress. Tywin would have been incapable of this act. The purpose of Machiavelli's Pince was to prepare a Medici Lord to take power. His hope was that the Medici Lord create a republic based on Machiavelli's thinking as found in his Discourses. Tyrion was a Machiavellian hero. So too Jon Snow. Both had the ability to unite people to pursue a greater good. Tyrion created an elective monarchy with a confederal union of the remaining houses of Westros. Jon Snow created the army required to defeat the Night King. He could do this only by uniting people's opposed to one another. As I interpret the Lannister family, I see each child embodying a split off part of Tywin's personality. Jamie embodied Tywin's ideal self. Tyrion embodied Tywin's self-hatred. Cersi embodied his narcissism. Both Cersi and Tywin were malignant narcissists. Out of the children sired and nurtured by Cersi, Jamie and Tywin, only Tyrion survived and made great history. Tywin destroyed the lives his children. Cersi destroyed Joffrey because she treated him as an extension of herself, as the penis the accident of birth denied her. Her machinations were a key factor in the destruction of the old Westros. Jamie found redemption with Brianne, but then refused that gain to die with his sister who didn't love him because she was incapable of love. Theirs was likely a trauma bond. We know Cersi felt cursed. Jamie too? Tyrion survived, but would his traumas permit him to love again? After all, the two women he loved were greatly harmed because of their relationship with him. His birth killed his mother. Will he be able to overcome the self-hatred Tywin gave him?

Minted! Excellent! :D X

As an asoiaf book nerd, I think to fully examine him you should look onto his siblings (Genna and Kevan's insights are great here, also I think Kevan is as great as Tywin but without this huge insecurities, but Gerion the adventurer too) and to Aerys and Joanna relationship. The thing with Aerys is much deeper I think - that maybe being humilated by his earlier friend feeded insecurities. The sack of King's Landing is also another brutal act like Castamere and Red Wedding.

Restore does not equal make notorious .However I like you channel and have subscribed. I see in Tywin, the fear that drives so many men to believe that he must be in control, as he trusts no ones motives but his. He trusts no no one's execution but his own. He wants control. He admires intelligence, but believes no one's judgement compares to his.

A big thing is Tytos, unlike Tywin was a third born son not expected to do anything he already wasnt a forceful or type A personality he already in manhood and shaped by a life of obscurity by his two older brothers had to be thrown into the spot once his two brothers died he was rushed to be put in a position he never trained for or wanted I imagine meanwhile Tywin got to grow up knowing full well he was the heir apparent and along with that pressure came the identity of being The Man.

Tyrion is the dawrf, but Tywin was the one who remained small.

The biggest word battles I get in the ASOIAF fandom is with the people who either view Tywin as only a strategical badass or cunning villain. I always poise the question: why not both? Can we not abhor his horrible actions and also appreciate the mettle of his character? Needless to say, for some reason, these conversations do not end well.

I would like you to do a breakdown of the characters in Penny Dreadful (Showtime)

Another point about Tywin being commanding. When he tells people to do something. He doesn't say "Will you?" No, he says "You will." Like it's not a request. It's a command. and you will carry it out with no hesitation or question. Also, when you bring up Tywin not considering women a threat compared to men. I am reminded of how he extinguished house Tarbeck. He killed every male in the house. Even the husbands of Lord Tarbeck's daughters. But never the women themselves. The only exception I m aware of is Lady Ellyn Tarbeck, Lord Tarbeck's wife who was quite the ambitious woman and likely may have played a part in getting the Reynes and the Tarbecks to rebel against the Lannisters.

If you’ll entertain a more simple reading of Tywin, I think his overall archetype is pretty simple and obvious. He’s the lion from the Aesop tale “the lion’s share”

Kinda off topic but have you ever seen howls moving castle? If so I think it would be a great movie for you to talk about. One of my favorite positive love stories.

His decisions 'not being entirely being logical' I would put in another way - he wants to say he's being rational, but really he's just rationalizing his brutal methods and mindset to achieve absolute control, as you put it. He's great at how he does it...but terrible at why he should do it. This was expressed in his first scene with Jaime, to shut down a valid point of his: "If any one of us can be captured with impunity, we are no longer a house to be feared - that's a fact!" and then orders Jaime, his favored son, to the frontline so he gets captured as it all spirals out of control. And heaven forfend his house ever stop being feared by even a little, because then people might laugh again like during Tytos' reign. But rationalizing and projecting your flaws onto Tyrion is common when one has daddy issues, which Tywin most definitely does - he tries to be the exact opposite of him, which leads him to become a cold and uncaring person, which ultimately dooms his relationship with his children and leads to his death. Don't think it's quite fair to blame him for Aeyrs' - his insanity came from, ironically, Barristan Selmy saving him from his dungeon stay so...one could definitely argue that Selmy is far more responsible for things going bad in the kingdom through a genuinely noble deed. So Tywin feeling frustrated by it and feeling that his adulation at the expense of the King should be some small recompense seems fairer and more understandable, despite his own already natural inclination to feel entitled to it. Finally, his grotesque punishments of Tyrion is easily understandable - he never felt he was truly his son, he sees how attached Tyrion is to sex and women, so he decides to use them himself in order to punish him the most he possibly could. He does actually say several times during the show also 'You are my son', whenever it is convenient for him to say so, if he needs something from Tyrion, but during the beginning of season 3 (that you showed) and at the very end of season 4 you have two scenes that give you his true feelings. The ones that have driven him to all of his bad decisions that were anything but pragmatic. Like when Tyrion was already considering going along with the trial and just leave for the Wall, but then Tywin has to call Shae and shame him one last time and that drives Tyrion to spit in his face in fury, and eventually end him.

I honestly don't blame him. He was a Man, a good one in most respects. Most men are very flawed, but it's easy to understand his motivations. I've never been convinced that the opinions of others should override my personal life or goals either. This entire world is ruled by threat of violent force, but when it is spoken of openly or God forbid force is used in defense... society is shocked... The only thing that even allows us to have these discussions is fear of great power. If for a moment that fear were to slip away from our enemies they would destroy us. The sooner our society realizes this the better. Go spend a few years in the sandbox and see what you think. We're all the creations of our environment.

By far my favorite character of the show.

I would love to see an analysis of olenna tyrell :D

Tywin is Charles Dance's baby too. Brought the character cool and class.

Big fan of the books, and I loved Charles Dance's portrayal of Tywin, but there is a lot of whitewashing for Tywin. Think about how loans work IRL: a bank gives you money in exchange for a promise to repay it with interest over time. Tywin was demanding immediate repayment, unlawfully, when Tywin was not even yet a lord. Tywin was the one breaking protocol, and the lords rightfully pointed this out to Tywin's father, who reigns him in for some time. Then Tywin got involved yet again, usurping his father's authority and ordering the hostage taking and eventual execution of two other prospering Houses, which obviously prevented the original loan from ever being repaid. Tywin made the Lannisters loose money, yet Tytos is somehow the one to blame? Ask yourself if any of this makes sense. It really doesn't, because Tywin is the problem here, not Tytos. Any analysis of Tywin must start here: he felt deeply insecure, undermined his father's authority and legitimacy, and made some objectively bad decisions in a bid to cover up this insecurity, thus leading to the deaths of many people. Jaime, after Tywin's death, points out that even in the West, Tywin was an unpopular leader, and is despised everywhere else in the Realm. Tywin isn't a leader beloved by his followers, he is the schoolyard bully who coerces compliance through the threat of force. Even worse, he cripples the entire next generation of Lannisters! Look at how screwed up his children are. The heinous rape of Tysha cripples Tyrion for the rest of his life psychologically. Cersei goes literally insane. Jaime is a powerless knight, and of course there is the incest.

Tywin was not responsable for his conflict with Aerys, that was Aerys' paranoya all on its own. Theres no word of Twyin acting like he held all the power in kings landing (to my knowledge) but other people ended up saying it was him who did all the work because it was simply true. Aerys did barely anything. I think its not entirely fair to fault him for this conflict, he seemed to try to just keep the realm stable as was his job. The mad king would not marry Rhaegar to Cersei and give the lannisters more power since that was a risk in his eyes (and also because of petty)

a little under explored in this analyses was Tywins suspicion, that Tyrion is really the son of Aerys.