2014-09-05, 12:53 AM
Holypie Wrote:Hey I actually like Stannis! He showed that he's the only king who actually gave a pomegranate about the realm when he rode up to stop the wildlings. Everyone else was just squabbling over the Iron Throne, but what does that matter if the kingdom is overrun? There's a fantastic line in the books:
"Yes, I should have come sooner. If not for my hand, I might not have come at all. Lord Seaworth is a man of humble birth, but he reminded me of my duty, when all I could think of was my rights. I had the cart before the horse, Davos said. I was trying to win the throne to save the kingdom, when I should have been trying to save the kingdom to win the throne." -Stannis
Additionally, he actually looks past status to see the merit of a person, as exemplified by Davos. None of the other lords will give him the time of day but Stannis raised him from a lowborn smuggler to a lord and Hand, because Davos isn't afraid to be honest with him. Robert said something about everyone at court being a flatterer or a fool, which is pretty much true save for Davos, and Stannis can see past his birth to recognize that.
Okay rant over, Stannis the Mannis is great. I think he's portrayed in a much more negative light in the show, which colours a lot of people's perceptions of him, even when reading the books afterwards.
Can't argue with this right here.
[COLOR="#cc8899"]I agree with all of your points, but the argument still holds that he would be very bad for the realm. He is fixated on absolute black and white, right and wrong. He has no charisma or inter-personal skills with which to conduct politics and is unlikely to be able to make a hard decision in order to do good for the realm if it would violate his sense of legal ethics. He, Renly, and Robert are aptly contrasted at various moments. If anything, the three of them together would've made a powerful ruling authority, but each on an individual basis has a critical failing:
Robert is an excellent warrior and has the stubborn motivation necessary to pursue a goal, but quickly becomes bored and disinterested when he does not have a "battle" to fight.
Renly is charming and suave and has the confidence of youth. He is able to amass more followers than any other pursuant to the throne despite having the comparatively weakest claim and would have been a powerful political force when he grew into maturity.
Stannis is steadfast and rigid, willing to uphold the law first and foremost, even when it would hurt his political influence. He would make an excellent judge or arbiter, perhaps even a Hand or a traveling extension of the King's justice. However, he is a cold, bitter man with little interest in interpersonal relationships. He has a massive failing where politics is concerned, which would eventually erode his political support or allow a rival to gather influence during his reign.
Together they could each have worked to their strengths, with Renly promoting Robert's rule and garnering support and Stannis resolving disputes and enforcing justice. Robert as a figurehead becomes necessary during times of war and his brothers essentially mitigate his failings in times of peace.
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