All the times Sandor kills someone in ASOIAF and why
kateofthecanals:
Sandor Clegane has a rather bad reputation in Westeros as a fierce killing machine; most people consider him interchangeable with his brother, Gregor, in terms of violence, cruelty, and blind loyalty to their masters. And even the fanboys choose to focus not on Sandor’s compelling character arc but on his “badassery” and shanking skillz.
As always, though, I don’t know where this comes from, because if you actually pay attention to the text (ahem), you will see that Sandor RARELY resorts to violence unless absolutely necessary.
So here are all the times in ASOIAF that we see Sandor kill or fight someone and the reason behind it:
Mycah – butcher’s boy who allegedly struck Prince Joffrey; rode down on Cersei’s orders (AGoT)
Gregor – fought at the Hand’s Tourney to protect Loras; never swung a killing blow against his brother and was always on the defensive and stops immediately when commanded by King Robert (AGoT)
Cayn + various Northmen – killed when Ned attempts to take Cersei and her children (aka his masters) into custody after Robert’s death (AGoT)
Smallfolk – killed while protecting Sansa during the Bread Riots (ACoK)
Battle of Blackwater – killed numerous Stannis supporters before abandoning his post (ACoK)
Beric Dondarrion – challenged to a trial by combat to answer for the killing of Mycah (ASoS)
Frey men – killed while trying to get himself and Arya the hell away from the Twins during the Red Wedding (ASoS)
The Mountain’s Men – defends himself when Polliver & co. start shit with him when he and Arya stop at the inn for a cup of wine (ASoS)
And… that’s pretty much it. As you can see, the only times we see Sandor slay a man was either on orders, out of self-defense, or in an effort to protect someone else.
As a contrast, let’s look at some times when Sandor could have easily resorted to violence/killing but did not:
Jeyne Poole – she recounts to Sansa how “terrifying” it was when Sandor smashed down her door with a war hammer, and I am sure it was, but when you stop to think about it, it could have been way worse… he could have easily gone all Gregor on her and done her like Elia Martell, but he did not. In fact, Cersei seems rather annoyed when she later finds out that Jeyne’s life was spared. (AGoT)
Joffrey’s Name Day Tourney – It’s repeatedly suggested that he compete in the lists and he repeatedly declines (ACoK)
Battle of Blackwater – Up for debate, but let’s be real, in the midst of his lowest, darkest moment, he could have done any number of horrible things to Sansa, but he did not (ACoK)
Brotherhood Without Banners – Sandor returns to their camp to try and reclaim his gold that they confiscated from him; they don’t, but he leaves anyway without incident (ASoS)
The Ferry – neither he nor Arya have any money to cross the Trident but Sandor is able to talk his way on board regardless. Once across, he simply hands the ferryman the BwB’s IOU and goes on his merry way, with nary a drop of blood having been spilled. (ASoS)
The Village – he and Arya spend about a fortnight in a village in the Vale where they help the villagers fortify their land from raiders and mountain clans; when they are asked to leave, Sandor grumbles a bit but complies without making a fuss.
Now, this isn’t to say that that bad reputation wasn’t warranted at one time; by his own admission, Sandor killed his first man at 12. However, we don’t know the true circumstances of that incident – he entered the Lannisters service at 12, so for all we know, this could have been another kill done on orders, or perhaps even some sort of hazing ritual to “prove” his worth to the Lannisters. Perhaps he was more cold-blooded once, but none of that is evident within the pages of ASOIAF. “Killing is the sweetest thing there is” my arse!!
