Are These 35 Game Of Thrones Characters Dead Or Alive?
- by Jonathan H. Kantor
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Winter is finally returning with the premier of Game of Thrones' season seven and we at TheQuiz couldn't be happier! With the mega-hit series finally making its return, it's easy for readers and viewers to forget just who is still walking and breathing on the show. "Didn't he die in the last season?" "Wasn't she killed off way back in season 2?" These questions plague us as we attempt to return to life in Westeros so we thought it would be fun to go back into the many characters of the television series and ask, is this person alive or dead?
Even if you think yourself an expert having read all of the books and seen every single episode, you might just find that you can't recall whether a certain character has yet to meet their demise. That's ok, we are going to get a refresher course in just who has fallen and who still wields a sword (or flies a dragon) in a very short time, but before then, let's have some fun going over these characters. There are a lot to choose from--more than a quiz on this particular website can even attribute so it took some time and a few arguments around the water cooler before we settled on these 35 characters from Game of Thrones. Now, can you tell who still lives and who has died?
Cersei Lannister
As the former wife of Robert, she was Queen of Westeros and her children the heirs to the throne. All of her machinations revolved around her idealistic goals for her children and she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. While it's true that all three of her children were born of incest thanks to her brother, Jaime, the secret of their origin remains only rumor for much of the series.
Gregor Clegane
Gregor Clegane, otherwise known as The Mountain, is a massive knight whose brutality knows no bounds. He is known for raping and murdering his victims and is responsible for severely disfiguring his brother, known as The Dog, when the two were children. He rarely speaks during the series and spends most of his time slicing people in half with his massive sword. He is loyal to the Lannisters and has been involved in their various plots as a strongman for many years.
Grand Maester Pycelle
Grand Maester Pycelle is the Grand Maester for multiple rulers of Kings Landing. He served directly under Cersei as her spy and in this capacity, he earned several enemies and allies. As the King's personal maester, he stood as one of the most learned men in all of King's Landing and he faithfully maintained his position regardless of who sat upon the Iron Throne. Though his loyalties lay with whomever sits as the ruler of Westeros, he appears to have some affinity towards the Lannisters.
Viserys Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen is the brother of Daenerys known as the Beggar King. He and his sister fled Westeros before they could be slaughtered by Robert Baratheon in his quest for power and sought only to return to their homeland as its rightful ruler. As members of an exiled house, the siblings have little to their name... besides their name and they use this to their advantage whenever possible. In a deal with Khal Drogo, Viserys sells his sister to the Dothraki to secure his army to fight for him.
Tywin Lannister
Tywin Lannister is the patriarch of the Lannister family who rules with an iron fist. He has a take-no-crap attitude and is ruthless in his dealings with the other lords. When he was hand to the King, he allowed for the ascension of Robert Baratheon to become the King of Westeros. He would again take on the mantle of Hand in service to his grandson, Joffrey though he would rule through the boy who was little more than a puppet to his otherwise qualified grandfather.
Shae
Shae is a prostitute whom Tyrion brings to his father's camp, at first to annoy him, but later, he falls in love with her. Convinced that she loves him as well, Tyrion places a great deal of trust in the prostitute only to see her betray him in the end. Throughout her time in the Golden Keep, Shae earns a great deal of money and even some minor influence as Tyrion showers her with gifts. She never scoffs at his diminutive size though she may have been playing him all along.
Margaery Tyrell
Margaery was first introduced as the betrothed to Renly Baratheon, whom, despite her wiles, she is unable to temp into impregnating her. After some time, she becomes the wife to Joffrey when he is sitting on the Iron Throne of Westeros. She quickly develops a tempestuous relationship with Cersei who doesn't appreciate the influence the young and lovely Margaery is holding over her son. This brings the two women into contention and a major story arc alongside the church sees them both thrown in prison before things are ultimately settled.
Jaqen H'ghar
Jaqen H'ghar is something of a mystery. When he is first introduced, he is a Lorathi criminal who is being carted off to the Night's Watch after his imprisonment in King's Landing. He is freed by Arya Stark along the way and eventually brings her into the group called the Faceless Men of Bravos, a mysterious organization of assassins who have the ability to completely change their faces at will. Arya seeks him out and learns the ways of the Faceless Men from Jaqen.
Gilly
Gilly is a young Wilding who was found to be married to Craster on the other side of the wall. Like his other wives, she was also his daughter, but was pregnant when Sam first met her. Later, she accompanies Sam south of the Wall and gives birth. She becomes enamored with her saviour and even though he is forbidden to engage in such actions, the two succumb to their natural desires and fall in love. Eventually, Sam is charged with becoming a Maester and he takes Gilly and her child away from the Wall.
Rickon Stark
Rickon Stark is the youngest son of Catelyn and Eddard Stark. He was taken captive early in the series and wasn't again seen until much later as a captive of Ramsay Bolton. Rickon is offered to Jon Snow by Bolton prior to a battle between the two armies. There isn't much known regarding what happened to Rickon between the time he was initially seen as a child and the time he returned to the screen during the exchange between Bolton and Jon Snow.
Maester Aemon
Maester Aemon is the long-sitting maester of Castle Black who, as it turns out, was born Aemon Targaryen. He was the last known member of the fallen house still living in Westeros, but given his age (104) and his time away from the politics of the ruling houses, most have forgotten his true origin. As the maester of Castle Black, he became one of Commander Jeor Mormont's closest advisors and also a trusted confidant of both Sam and Jon Snow.
Olenna Tyrell
Olenna Tyrell is the elder matriarch of the Tyrell family who is best known for her wit, sarcasm, and her desire to remain frank with those she meets. As the leader of the Tyrells, she holds a great deal of power and is one of the biggest players during the War of the Five Kings thanks to her massive army. As the grandmother to Margaery, she asserts herself to even more power when she is made Queen of Westeros. In many ways, Olenna is just as tough as Cersei and she is not a woman to be trifled with.
Myrcella Baratheon
Myrcella Baratheon is the only daughter of King Robert and Cersei though, as we already know, Robert was not truly her father. She was sent to Dorne by Tyrion despite her mother's protests in an effort to curry favor with the Martell family. Myrcella reluctantly leaves King's Landing to embark on her daughterly duties, but finds her future companion, Trystane Martell, to be rather enticing. Jaime goes on a quest to return her to King's Landing when events appear to place her in danger so far from home.
Joffrey Baratheon
Joffrey Baratheon is the eldest son of Cersei and Robert Baratheon (Jaime in actuality). After taking over the Iron Throne of Westeros, the petulant boy-king shows just how little he cares for his subjects whom he lets starve. The War of the Five Kings began when he decided to take a certain Lord's head instead of allowing him to travel north to the Wall and his reasons for doing so seem to be merely to satisfy his ego. He is cruel and dismissive of lesser beings, but can be controlled by his mother to a certain extent.
Catelyn Stark
Catelyn Stark is the mother to Sansa, Brand, Arya, Robb, and Rickon Stark. She is also the unwilling foster mother to John Snow and is the matriarch of the Stark family. Catelyn journeys south with her husband at the request of King Robert Baratheon who asks that he become his Hand. Catelyn holds a great deal of power over her family and is beloved in the north. Her sister is the leader of the Aerys and both women hold a great deal of power and love by the people in the north.
Robb Stark
Robb Stark is the eldest son of Catelyn and Ned Stark. Robb became a major player in the War of the Five Kings by taking up the mantle of the North and charging south towards Westeros. Along the way, he made many alliances, but also created some impressive enemies. With the power of the north behind him, he became the leader of an unstoppable horde. Instead of moving forward with an arranged marriage, Robb instead chose to marry for love.
The Waif
The Waif was first introduced as an acolyte of the Faceless Men of Bravos when Arya first arrived in the city. She is an incredibly unlikeable person who is put in a position of torment over Arya. On several occasions, she beats Arya before the younger girl can rise and defend herself, often with little or no explanation by the Waif or Jaqen. The waif, the only name she is known by in the show, remains antagonistic towards Arya throughout her time in the House of Black and White.
Podrick Payne
You probably know him best as Pod, but Podrick Payne may be best known as a squire. Payne began as Tyrion Lannister's squire and he even saved his master's life at the Battle of Blackwater, but eventually ended up becoming the squire to Brienne of Tarth. Pod is one of those characters who has a lot of screen time, but isn't often at the center of attention. Even so, he is one of the principal characters on the show who may develop into something more... that is, if he's still alive...
Khal Drogo
Khal Drogo is the leader of a horde of Dothraki fighters who agrees to marry the lovely, young Daenerys Targaryen so that he will lend his army to her brother in order to take back Westeros. As a Dothraki, he is an impressive warrior who has never lost a battle. This is one of the reasons he has taken over the horde as its Khal. When he and Denarius first marry, he treats her like a slave, but the two eventually fall in love and she becomes his equal despite her foreign nature.
Hodor
Hodor is the stable boy who lives in Winterfell and serves the Starks. For as long as anyone has known him, he can only say one thing, "Hodor." Though it is not his true name, it is what everyone ultimately calls him, his name forgotten by most everyone. He has a sweet soul and wouldn't hurt a fly, but his mind is weak and is able to be taken over by Brand on occasion who uses his brute strength as a weapon in their defense. If he could be summed up in just one word, it would be loyal.
Jorah Mormont
Jorah Mormont is a disgraced knight from Westeros who lost his title after he was caught dealing in slaves by King Robert Baratheon. He was expelled from the country and ended up becoming a hired hand to the new khaleesi of Khal Drogo, one Daenerys Targaryen, whom he swears his allegiance to. He also falls in love with the young woman who cannot--and will not return his affection. Despite his love being spurned her serves her faithfully even after being exposed for betraying her early on in their relationship.
Ygritte
Ygritte is a Wildling woman of the Free Folk who is captured by Jon when he is north of the Wall. After some time, Jon is able to convince the Free Folk that he wished to join them and the two engage in a romantic relationship. "You know nothing, Jon Snow" becomes her most oft-quoted phrase and though it is against his oath to the Night's Watch, Jon falls in love with her. Her accuracy with a bow puts the Green Arrow to shame and she is a competent warrior.
Eddard Stark
Ned Stark is the patriarch of the family Stark and the leader of the north. From his home at Winterfell, he commands all of the north and is responsible for policing the border south of the Wall. Early in the series, he is recruited by his longtime friend and King, Robert, to become his new Hand after his previous Hand died. He reluctantly agrees and travels south to Westeros where he becomes embroiled in the various plots and machinations of people far more sinister than he ever was.
Brienne of Tarth
Brienne of Tarth is the only daughter of Lord Selwyn Tarth and one of the most impressive warriors of his house. As his sole-surviving child, she has taken it upon herself to become a knight. It doesn't hurt that she is tall and muscular as well as talented with a sword. She is first introduced as a sworn sword to Renly Baratheon before swearing her allegiance to Catelyn Stark and her children. She embarks on a great quest to locate the Stark children, which takes her across most of the nation.
Davos Seaworth
Davos Seaworth is a reformed smuggler who gave up several finger bones to his lord Stannis Baratheon before becoming his knight. Known most commonly as the Onion Knight due to his ability to smuggle a hold of onions behind enemy lines, he becomes the most trusted agent and right hand of Stannis during the War of the Five Kings. Though he is a great mariner, Davos' talents lie in his ability to negotiate as well as his skills in battle tactics.
Ramsay Bolton
Ramsay Bolton is a sadistic and evil man who preys upon the weak. He enjoys torturing others... literally and is responsible for imprisoning and castrating Theon Greyjoy. He began as the bastard Ramsay Snow, but was made a Bolton after he and his father plead their loyalty to House Lannister. He marries Sansa Stark thanks to an arrangement orchestrated by Petyr Baelish and he continuously rapes her for his amusement. Among his many activities, he enjoys feeding people to his dogs, whom he keeps nice and hungry for just such an occasion.
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion Lannister was born a dwarf and never lived up to his father's expectations. Though he and his brother Jaime get along, Cersei hates him and blames him for her mother's death as she died in childbirth. Tyrion becomes the temporary Hand to the King when Joffrey assumes the role and eventually makes his way across the sea to offer himself in a similar capacity to Daenerys. He describes himself thusly: "I drink and I know things" which pretty much sums him up perfectly.
Samwell Tarly
Samwell Tarly never lived up to his father's expectations and due to his preference for reading rather than fighting, he eventually went off to join the Night's Watch where he hoped he could amount to something. He endeared himself to Jon Snow and became one of the central characters in the Watch, his loyalty to his friend never faltering. On an expedition north of the Wall, Sam met up with Gilly and brought her back behind the safety of the wall before later being sent off to learn the ways of the maesters so he could become the maester of the Watch.
Robert Baratheon
Robert Baratheon is the King of Westeros when he is first introduced in Game of Thrones. He is married to Cersei and has three children whom we already revealed are not genetically his offspring. Though he was considered to be an impressive warrior in his youth, leading the nation has left him an overweight and tired, old man. He regrets taking on the mantle of King and dislikes having to ask his friend Ned to become his new Hand. If he could have it any way, Robert would prefer to hunt and live as he did in his youth rather than rule over a kingdom.
Arya Stark
Arya Stark is the youngest daughter of Eddard and Catelyn Stark. When she is introduced, she is seen as a tomboy who fights with her sister and is more of an outsider than her other siblings. She and Jon are very close unlike Sansa and her bastard brother who have very little affection or malice towards one another. Arya travels to Braavos to learn the ways of the Faceless Men and becomes a skilled assassin. She keeps a list of the many people she wants to kill in retribution for the crimes committed against herself and her family.
Jon Snow
Jon Snow is the bastard son of Eddard Stark and an unnamed woman (until it is revealed in season six that this is untrue). As a bastard, he is incapable of claiming the name Stark and goes north to join the Night's Watch. During his time in the Watch, he builds himself up and fights the White Walkers only to fight against his own brothers. Eventually, he rises to the role of Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and commands his men in battle on several occasions.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime Lannister is a member of the King's Guard and was responsible for the death of the Mad King whom he had sworn to protect. Because of this, he has been labeled as an oathbreaker, a name he truly despises. He is one of the best swordsmen alive until his dominant hand is removed by a rather sharp blade. His father has a golden hand fashioned as a prosthetic and provides him with a remarkable sword he in turn gives to Brienne of Tarth.
Sansa Stark
Sansa Stark is the oldest daughter of Catelyn and Eddard. She accompanies her father and mother to King's Landing with the belief that she will be married to Joffrey, but she learns rather quickly that Joffrey is a cruel and unforgiving young man. Like her siblings, she is given a Dire Wolf, but it is put to death after Arya's wolf bites the young prince and the sisters love for one another takes a rather huge hit. While she was initially portrayed as a lady, Sansa's time in Westeros hardens her for a life of conflict.
Petyr Baelish
Petyr Baelish, called Littlefinger is one of the slyest and most conniving characters in all of Game of Thrones. From an early age, he had a crush on Catelyn, long before she married Eddard and even once fought for her hand. His primary attribute is the ability to manipulate others and he may even be behind everything that has happened in Westeros to include the events leading up to Robert Baratheon's need to place Eddard Stark as his new Hand of the King.
Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys Targaryen can be summed up by her many names: The Unburnt Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and the Mother of Dragons. She is the de facto mother of the only three dragons still alive in the world (that we know of) and rose up from a quiet and tortured young girl into one of the most commanding Queens in all the world. She has an army of tens of thousands at her command and she seeks to restore her House.