Robert Baratheon. King with branched horns

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In the world-famous saga "A Song of Ice and Fire" King Robert Baratheon is a supporting character. This is a tie-in figure, and it was clear to almost all readers from the very first pages that he was destined to die.

Literary character

In the plot of a series of novels, the life and character of Robert Baratheon are spelled out with maximum detail. His life ends in the first book of the Game of Thrones saga, but before that, the author allows you to imagine what Robert Baratheon was like. Heir to Storm's End (a port fortress on the western coast of Westeros), he lost his father early and received no lessons in masculine responsibility and caution.

Robert Baratheon is described as a "true knight" - an excellent fearless warrior, handsome and rake. Such a person is completely unsuited to governing the state, and therefore, when, as a result of an uprising and murder, he receives the throne of Westeros, he has absolutely no idea what to do with him next.

During the reign of King Robert, Westeros lives on the old stocks of the former dynasty, while the holder of the Iron Throne divides his time between hunting, feasting, visiting fallen women, and bungling attempts at statecraft. He is indifferent to politics, and subjects demanding money, land or justice annoy him. The king is illiterate in finance - the treasury is empty, and there are incredibly many debts.

Years of rule in idleness and melancholy have turned a mighty warrior into a flabby elderly man (at the time the events began, Robert was only 36 years old), who needs only a goblet of wine, a woman, a hunt or a glorious feast and a sense of security to be happy. It is for the latter that Robert Baratheon goes to the North, to Eddard Stark. The life of the king provided him with a strong conviction that everyone around him was lying and plotting. In such conditions, he decides to rely on his friend, known throughout the country for honesty and directness. In fact, Robert is not interested in support, but the opportunity to throw all the royal problems on another person.

Alas, but the Baratheon is the real Stag King, a crowned ill-mannered animal with spreading horns.

Actor and role in the series

The television series "Game of Thrones" has the highest rating in the world, also due to the excellent cast. The heroes of the project practically do not deviate from the literary source in their actions, characters and appearance. One of the few exceptions is Robert Baratheon. Actor Mark Addy celebrated his 48th birthday in 2012, and this age could not be hiddenno makeup, no computer processing. So most viewers perceive the character as an old man.

The second deviation from the canon is related to appearance. The fat alcoholic from the book in the series turned into a good-natured bumpkin, a merry fellow and a glutton. Mark Eddy is shorter than the literary Robert, and his belly does not stick out. The power and confidence of the ruler are felt in his movements.

The positive influence of the actor on the role of the king of Westeros was noted by both the audience and critics. Played by Eddie, Robert Baratheon evokes calm sympathy and sadness. If he was shown in full accordance with the book, the audience would have demanded his death in the first episode.

Story Events

During his life on the pages of the A Song of Ice and Fire saga, Robert Baratheon took part in several events on which the entire plot is tied:

1. Destruction of the Targaryen dynasty.

It is Robert who in a duel kills the heir of Westeros, Prince Reigar, who kidnapped his bride. He leads a rebellion against the power of the mad king, overthrows him and anoints his seat on the Iron Throne. Also, with his tacit consent, the rebels destroy Rhaegar's family. Hatred of the former dynasty permeates Robert's entire life and is so strong that he gives the order to persecute and destroy the last Targaryens. Baratheon implicitly fears them as a threat to his right to the crown of the kingdom.

2. Eddard Stark's invitation to the HandsKing.

Robert makes his best friend the second person in the state, thereby signing his death warrant and bringing his own death closer. The ruler of the North is honest and does not trust others, especially the king's wife, Cersei. His search for the truth about the previous Hand's death and attempts to shield Robert from a life of harm leads him to be charged with treason and executed by decapitation.

3. Many royal bastards.

Active "body movements" of Baratheon with different women led to the appearance of illegitimate children in him. The offspring inherited his appearance and unfortunate fate. In the novel, after Robert's death, his bastards are persecuted and destroyed by Cersei, who fears that they will demand recognition of their rights.