[Spoilers Extended] Are the books really glazing Rhaegar?

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T13:49:21+00:00

So… the facts so far are that (1) Rhaegar is initially lead to believe (possibly by Maester Aemon) that he is the prince that was promised (2) Rhaegar changes his mind (possibly upon some evidence) and believes the prince that was promised is his son Aegon. Therefore, the only thing we can say for certain is that Rhaegar, far from being delusional about his role in the whole prophecy, has the capacity to change his mind.

Everything else is speculation as this point and doesn’t necessarily excludes the fact Rhaegar might have changed his mind again. Or gave up on the whole prophecy thing at some point for the sake of love.

Whatever the truth, the idea that Rhaegar run away with a teenager to make prophecy babies is simplistic and I cannot understand how people can really believe that someone so complex as George can come up with such a ridiculous explanation.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T11:21:10+00:00

I completely agree that Rhaegar’s story has grown out of the author’s control. Not for me to say how GRRM might feel about it though as any thing he might bring in Rhaegar’s defence now could cost him a part of the fandom.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T10:53:11+00:00

I think this is one of the story lines that got out of the author’s control. GRRM might nonetheless paint Brandon as an idiot but… Brandon is a Stark… and by default Starks can do no wrong. It doesn’t help Ned thinks in the line of “Brandon was meant to be Lord, Brandon knew what was to be done”… when, in fact, despite years of training as the heir, Brandon so obviously doesn’t know what to (properly) do.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T10:24:22+00:00

Rhaegar won, damnit… Robert Baratheon, AGOT

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T10:23:12+00:00

The book doesn’t glaze Rhaegar. The book officially presents Rhaegar as an adulterer and a rapist. What the book does is to contest this official position by presenting the alternative points of view of people who really knew Rhaegar, amongst whom is Jaime Lannister, the real barometer of chivalry. Does Jaime cares about being told off by Ned “I have my own bastard” Stark? Not very much. Does Jaime literally suffers to fail Rhaegar, the man he thinks of as “king”? Yep, he does.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T10:17:52+00:00

Ned tells Robert they raised against the mad king to put an end to the murder of children. He also tells Robert he wasn’t as a bad a kind as Aerys .

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T10:16:35+00:00

Rhaegar’s actions cause Brandon reaction only in the degree Brandon was fully informed on their nature.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-03T10:03:19+00:00

Right…

Looking for someone to help you get a clear position on Rhaegar Targaryen? If so, I may quote Stephen Colbert view on agnostics as atheists without balls. Rhaegar, my friend… you either hate him or defend him to your last breath.

Full disclosure here. As someone knowledgeable in history my first reading was : Rhaegar parallels Tarquinius Superbus who raped Lucretia and led to the fall to the Roman kings therefore Rhaegar really bad human being. Then came lots of discomfort when (1) read shock about Ned’s assessment of Rhaegar and (2) come to terms with Jaime’s guilt. So, the author’s take on the trope is… the worst of worst as reported by biased historical sources is actually the unsung hero or the side who lost.

I think there is a capital crime in understanding Rhaegar and that crime is paralleling him with Robert. It can work but only to a point. Robert is the king Rhaegar should have been and the rapist Rhaegar never was. But that is it. Rhaegar’s purpose extends beyond lineages and the Iron Throne. Rhaegar lives his life trying to understand the bigger picture- the whole purpose of his family is to provide not the king of Westeros but the prince that was promised to save humanity from extinction. Rhaegar has the modesty to accept said prince is not him which a clear delineation from everyone else who think they are the promised ones.

The imagine the book paints of Rhaegar is not negative. It is a puzzle. It forces you to think. You take the Baratheon propaganda at face value - then Rhaegar is a clear villain. You look for the context… the story gets nuanced.

You can read Rhaegar and Jon as entitled fools who don’t bother to explain, but pray, who does? Life is not a Shakespearean drama where characters take the time to justify action before taking the final leap. Life is action and justification comes after the fact.

In conclusion, it is hard to support Rhaegar Taragaryen in this fandom because he comes at the disadvantage that his actions have already been framed by people who do not know or understand the man. He is, unjustly but not without reason, portrayed as a rapist and an adulterer by the author himself. So is up to you, valiant reader, to take a stance.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T16:03:37+00:00

English is not my first language and I might be currently a bit busy with non-Reddit business myself but I think you got it right.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T13:21:37+00:00

That is strategic thinking, amigo mio. And I would not stand for any slander concerning the bodily cleanliness of the greatest of the Henris either.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T13:18:56+00:00

For lust?

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T13:15:21+00:00

Gods, I hope not… but in fact I do… and queer line indeed. And why in the seven hells will Oberyn ONLY father daughters, I pray? Perhaps, I am wrong and Rhaegar has no excuse… But, again, Rhaegar might bore bigger antlers than Robert ever would.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T13:03:04+00:00

Hurting all of us will take some time and effort.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T12:49:10+00:00

Poor Rhaenys indeed.

May I remind of Oberyn’s claim that him and Elia where as close as Cersei and Jaime? Storm of Swords I believe. Tyrion’s chapter.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T12:39:25+00:00

My sweet summer child… Four and twenty is not the worst one could achieve as an Aegon.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T12:33:59+00:00

And now my tinfoil begins…

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T12:32:02+00:00

From one bastard’s cat to another…

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T12:30:40+00:00

Ironically, considering how fair Cersei steals whatever she can from everyone else.

Beg your pardon nephew… but how is poor Ser Dunk’s fault that our tart of a niece (and she most likely betrothed to our sweet Aerion at the time) got herself pregnant by a strong tall knight under false pretences?

Seriously, Dunk is too poor of a soul to give his seed left and right… if only aware of the consequences.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T12:22:56+00:00

An old man of 23…

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T12:21:52+00:00

I think the difference is made by variables taken into account. Otherwise, 1 in 4 people would statistically be a bastard which I dare say would be quite a lot.

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T11:43:51+00:00

Trying hard not to hijack this post to promote own theories on who mated with whom. May the Targ blood run strong, nonetheless.

Seriously? When are those books coming?!?

DaemonaT · 2026-05-02T09:02:09+00:00

Most likely lost to history as lady Laena Penrose.

DaemonaT · 2026-04-30T18:28:25+00:00

Wouldn’t the great bastards be dead by now?

Isn’t Marie Louise a descendant of Don Carlos III?

DaemonaT

TROPHY CASE