The True Protector of the Realm

Which is the best protagonist character in Game of Thrones, yes of course out of each shady moves. Samwell Tarly? Oh please, he is just a coward whiny book worm. Ned Stark? Yeah, he was honorable and love the commoners but he was too stupid to talk strategy with enemies. Jon Snow? I cannot agree more that all of what he has done are for the sake of people, but he is a love slave.

I am pretty sure the hero Westerosi deserve is Lord Varys, the eunuch. He was a successful social climber, came from the lowest class to be the King’s adviser as spider. First he tried hard to take revenge for slavery he suffered, then he stood up for the commoners’ peace, safety, and prosperity. For that goal, Varys fought alone.

Although he used to befriend a Penthos maester, Illyrio who is now missing in action. Together they managed to restore the Targaryen dinasty, from the very beginning until Daenerys is ready to take back the throne. Based on his dialogues, Varys presumes that Targaryen’s are the best ruler due to their keen motivation, magical power, charisma, and wealth. That is why Varys runs away from King’s Landing with Tyrion and summons the imp to be her hand. Varys has analyzed Tyrion as the perfect advisor alongside Daenerys.

Before that time, Varys believed that Eddard Stark was a good choice to sit on the throne based on mutual personality, fight skill, and leadership Eddard possessed. But Eddard was just too honest, reckless, and easy to be manipulated by his surrounding. Varys reminded Eddard many times, publicly or secretly, figuratively or connotative-ly, and he taught Eddard to wait until the perfect time comes. Yet he failed it.

In order to support Daenerys, Varys travelled the world to make allies with the Dornish and the Tyrells. Then he stayed loyal to Daenerys until episode 4, where several devastating events seem obviously have awaken the madness inside the dragon queen. Varys always said that his true loyalty belongs to the realm, to the people, to the entire human race, wishing somehow the new ruler he supported would create a better life. Realizing that advice were no longer effective to control Daenerys’ state of mind, Varys decided to betray her and break his promise.

In the opening scene of “the bell”, Varys tried to poison Daenerys using an innocent little girl who served in Dragonstone’s kitchen, while he was writing announcement letters revealing the true identity of Jon Snow. Varys presumed that Jon Snow or Aegon Targaryen would be the better ruler than Daenerys, because Jon inherits Stark’s honor, he is loved by Westerosi, and he has leadership quality as much as Daenerys’. And the most important factor is Jon Snow never sees to commit massive murder. Varys thought that eventhough Jon Snow does not desire a crown, he will not be able to reject people power, the Westerosi will undoubtedly prefer Jon than Daenerys to serve as the next ruler of the seven kingdoms.

At the end, Varys died as the true hero for the commoners. He did nothing but to save the people without considering blood line, social class, and wealth. He fought for the entire mankind.

“Farewell, Lord Varys the Protector of the Realm”. You have taught us about how to be the real human in the real world.