"Game of Thrones" may be set in a mythical Universe; with dragons, dead folks, and magic, but it speaks volumes about human nature and the surprising turn of events in life. Much like the fantastical world of "Harry Potter," it offers a scope of sneaking into the minds of the characters despite the epic battles and intense political manipulations.
Throughout the seven seasons of the HBO original series, we see the characters growing, evolving or even completely transforming to a different avatar by the aid of knowledge and personal experiences. It somehow reinstates the age-old Evolution theory of Charles Darwin formulated in the “On the Origin of Species" in 1859, that to survive in the Universe, every living object must adapt to the circumstances and the surroundings, and the ones who fail to do so must perish.
No matter whom the fans want to see on the Iron Throne today, the table might turn tomorrow, and this is precisely how "Game of Thrones" undermines the meta texts about life subtly beneath the more significant causes like killing the White Walkers!
Even though, the more significant objectives might also symbolically represent the apparent problems in today’s world for example pollution or deforestation, which might ultimately wear away the traces of human beings on the planet. And that, should probably be the prime concern of the human beings at the moment, rather than trying to gain supremacy over each other.
In other words, "Game of Thrones" is not only profoundly loaded with symbols and metabolisms which requires decoding, but it also gives us some of the best lessons of life in a candid way.
Below are the ten most relevant lessons of life, which not only applies to the mystical Universe of Game of Thrones but also in our everyday life.
'A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone.'
This is one of the most iconic dialogues of Tyrion Lannister, to Jon Snow in “The Kingsroad” episode, of season one of "Game of Thrones." Needless to say, that whether we reside in the Westeros" or the real world, a sharper mind is more desirable than physical strength.
In the age of information technology, the human minds are the tools, which require regular sharpening by reading books, and thus the fact is repeatedly reinstated in the various episodes and seasons of the GOT. Maester Aemon says to Jon Snow “Knowledge is a weapon, Jon. Arm yourself well before you ride forth to battle," in "A Feast for Crows," and again Jojen Reed says, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.
The man who never reads lives only one,” in “A Dance With Dragons.”
'If you’re going to be a cripple, it’s better to be a rich cripple.'
This is another practical advice from Tyrion Lannister, from the episode “Lord Snow,” of the first season of Game of Thrones. It is true that money can’t buy all the happiness of the world, but it certainly makes life much easier and comfortable. Money allows an individual to purchase all goods and services, which can lead them to the state of happiness. On the other hand, if you have a disability and struggling hard to meet your end, life would be miserable!
'Death is so final. Whereas life, ah, life is full of possibilities.'
Much like the first quote, this is another Universal truth, which comes back recurrently in "Game of Thrones." Even though Tyrion Lannister utters this one, in “The Kingsroad” episode, the same idea is repeated in “The Pointy End” by Syrio Forel to Arya Stark during his dancing lessons as he says, "There is only one god, and his name is Death.
And there is only one thing we say to Death: 'Not today'.” Throughout the series, there are endless references to death which is more often used to teach an individual the value and purpose of his life. No matter how difficult it is for us to sustain the life, we must try hard to survive through it, because in the end, “Valar Moghulis” or all men must die.
'When you play the game of thrones, you win, or you die. There is no middle ground.'
The final conversation, between Cersei Lannister and Eddard Stark in the seventh episode, "You Win, or You Die" sums up the title of the episode. The fact remains constant in politics, even in today's world. The general theory is that one who holds power will try to overthrow the other.
The loser, on the other hand, must perish because sooner or later because otherwise, they will pose a threat to the winner, and the fact is further re-instated by Tyrion Lannister to Lord Varys in the episode “ The Wars to Come,” “The powerful have always preyed on the powerless, that's how they became powerful in the first place."
'Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not...Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.'
Much like the character of Dumbledore of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the character of Tyrion Lannister is crafted with sheer wisdom and wit by the author, George R. R. Martin. The moment these two characters open their mouth, words of wisdom, prophecy, and humor emerges almost immediately, which leaves a long-lasting impact on the audiences.
In this case, these words of advice are delivered by Tyrion Lannister to Jon Snow, in "The Wolf and the Lion" episode, and it is indeed priceless. Anyone, who knows how to use his weaknesses as his strength will already be a few steps ahead of his competitor, and it certainly makes him unbeatable. Even though it might seem to be an impossible task, throughout the series, Lord Tyrion shows the audiences how exactly one can do this. However, it is never an easy task, and most of us will evidently fail!
'Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.'
Lord Varys is one of the few lords, who manage to survive till the seventh season of "Game of Thrones," by the aid of his keen observation power, knowledge and experience.
The iconic dialogue is delivered by Lord Varys, to Tyrion Lannister in the episode “What Is Dead May Never Die,” after he used a riddle to explain the abstract nature of power. Whether man creates an Alter and places the power in the hand of a priest or designs merely a crown and hands over the power to the person, who wears the crown; the real power resides, where man believes it to be! This is another vital lesson of life, to believe in oneself.
'There's a beast in every man, and it stirs when you put a sword in his hand.'
This is a valuable life lesson, delivered by Ser Jorah Mormont, in the "The Walk of Punishment" episode of season three, where sword represents power.It reminds us of an iconic dialogue of Lord Voldemort through Professor Quirrell from the book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone “There is no good and evil, there is only power,” and the power awakens the dormant beast within us.
Well, the name “Mormont” is also quite similar to “Voldemort”..Isn’t it?
'Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder... Only the ladder is real, the climb is all there is.'
An evident lesson of life, from Peytr Baelish aka Littlefinger from “The Climb” episode of season three, who does not survive till the final season of GOT, despite his calculative moves and excellent manipulation skills. In the quote, Baelish explains his philosophy of manipulation candidly, which is often the key to transform a game. However, in this case, he invited his Doom's day due to his lack of farsightedness.
'Any man who must say 'I am the king' is no true king.'
These are the golden words of the father of Tyrion Lannister, Tywin Lannister to his grandson Joffrey, in the episode “Mhysa,” of the third season.
Keeping aside its practical relevance, even if we cross-examine the past seasons of the HBO original series, we find that all the kings who proclaimed "I am the king" have eventually suffered a painful death, be it Stannis Baratheon or Joffrey Baratheon. Jon Snow, on the other hand, is elected as the King of the North like Daenerys Targaryen, who is also chosen by the people. As a result, people have pledged their lives for both of them willingly, which certainly makes them a true king or queen. In fact, even Tyrion Lannister said something similar to this in "A Clash of Kings," "When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say."
'The long night is coming, and the dead come with it... but at least we'll give the f---ers a fight.'
This is the vital speech of Jon Snow, in the “Hardhome” episode of season five of "Game of Thrones," where he ably takes up the role of the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
This is perhaps another version, of the iconic dialogue of Eddard Stark to his daughter Arya Stark from season one, “When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives." Thus, Jon Snow tries to gather the entire pack of the wolves by his side, as he gathers all the dominant houses in the Westeros, to survive the long winter. Perhaps this is what the human beings must do, at this moment, in today's world to escape through the wraths of Nature.
GOT may seem too be an epic, with elements of action, politics, entertainment and fantasy packed together; but it is probably the most complicated television series, which has moral lessons interweaved in every moment.
In our daily life, we come across numerous complex problems, be it relationship turmoil or workplace politics. If you ever feel lost in your life problems, turn to the meta texts and the underlying lessons of your "Game of Thrones," and you might be able to weigh your decisions properly.
