A Clash of Kings

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, ableism, emotional abuse, and child death.

Tyrion Lannister is one of several protagonists in the novel. He is uncle to King Joffrey and brother to Queen Regent Cersei Lannister and Ser Jaime Lannister. His narrative arc focuses on his tenure as Hand of the King, a role he enters on the nomination of his father, Tywin, the appointed Hand of the King.

By framing Tyrion as a protagonist, Martin subverts the evil advisor stereotype in fantasy stories. Conventionally, the evil advisor uses his position to manipulate the royal court and usurp the throne. In Martin’s novel, Tyrion is not trying to usurp the throne from his nephew but trying to undo the damage that Joffrey’s impulsive behavior could have on the throne’s public image. Tyrion starts this process by rooting out elements of the royal court that do not help his cause. Inadvertently, this causes the common folk to project the stereotype onto him, calling him Joffrey’s “evil councillor,” as reported by Ser Jacelyn Bywater in Chapter 41. This projection is bolstered by Tyrion’s physical appearance. Tyrion has dwarfism, which the people mock by calling him “Imp” and “dwarf.