I would like your opinion on Rhaenyra's hubris and her portrayal as a godlike figure of authority. I am thinking of Shakespeare (King Lear) and ancient Greek tragedy. Any parallels?
I really do hope you see this analysis, anon from the past, because I squeezed my brain trying to get all this together 💚:
First of all, I think we have to make an important distinction between Shakespeare and ancient Greek tragedy. One can argue, of course, that Shakespeare's plays were influenced by certain elements of ancient Greek tragedy, but there are several differences; the kind of hero in question being a primary one. In ancient Greek tragedies such as Oedipus Rex, Antigone, or Medea, the hero is of noble birth and standing, and their hubris is a result of their own excessive pride combined with their ambitious attempt to challenge the gods and claim some godship for themselves.
Shakespeare's plays are a bit more ambiguous in classifying the hubris. The hero can be of noble birth, sure, but their flaw is in themselves and their defiance of tradition or society’s laws. God or the divine is not featured, challenged, contested, or attacked in any way by their morally ambiguous choices, or at least not to the extent that it is in ancient Greek tragedies. Hubris in Shakespeare's tragedies stems from the debilitating flaws a hero has, which prevent them from making wise, sound, and moral decisions, ultimately leading to their demise. Thus, their "fall" is a natural consequence of their own decisions, unrelated to any claim of godship, and not imposed on them as a punishment by some higher order, as would be the case in an ancient Greek tragedy.
Rhaenyra could be framed as a Shakespearean heroine (if someone has done a similar analysis, please link it below), but the fact that she assumes this godlike status and will soon defy all else for the sake of it screams more ancient Greek hubris than a flawed Shakespearean character to me.
(1) So, breaking her hubris apart, we find excessive pride in her teenage years: even if it becomes apparent that the realm will not concede to having a female ruler that easily, Rhaenyra's overconfidence in her heirdom, and her complete trust that her father's words alone are enough to guarantee her the throne, could be classified as excessive pride. Nevertheless, no one is too noble, and no one ever holds such an unshakable and undeniable claim to the Iron Throne. One must always be on the lookout, forge alliances, and marry into powerful houses, instead of solely relying on blood ties & prophecies.
(2) This display of excessive pride is intertwined with her personality: Rhaenyra flaunts her freedom and disregards courtly protocol, as seen by her choice of lovers. Underestimating the degree of damage her children's parentage can have on her claim, and believing that she can ride out scandal without consequence, is a kind of hubris, and that is why pious and religious Alicent almost screams "blasphemy!" and becomes absolutely deranged when Rhaenyra seems to be getting away with every. single. thing. while she plays by the book (10/10 scene, Driftmark is the gift that keeps on giving).
(3) Rhaenyra's overconfidence in herself or in whatever teenage and childhood bond she shared with Alicent is further feeding on her pride, as she remains so willfully blinded to the Greens' desires and Alicent's own political acumen and willpower.
(4) The peak display of excessive pride, however, has to be Rhaenyra's decision to send her two sons, Lucerys and Jacaerys, as envoys, believing that her reputation and her army of dragons alone will command her respect, safety, and control.
(5) Furthermore, Rhaenyra's hubris is evident in her claim of godship throughout the series as the true heir bearing "the blood of the dragon." Rhaenyra's bloodline is sacred, descended from old Valyria, and that should be enough to validate her claim to the throne, regardless of the massive political risk. Her bond with Syrax (explored in the books in greater detail) further confirms this claim of godship.
(6) Another example of her grasp of divine destiny is her unwavering belief in Aegon's Dream: Viserys' prophecy that she is the Targaryen destined to sit the Iron Throne to safeguard the realm from evil, a prophecy which she takes upon herself to fulfill, even though it isn't attributed to her at that moment or timeline.
(7) Lastly, the way she views Aegon II's crowning not only as a personal challenge but as a contention against fate, confirms both her excessive pride as well as her claim of godship: only Rhaenyra's bloodline can be sacred, and not Aegon's, and she alone can be the heir whose rule is divinely ordained and on whose figure prophecy is fulfilled.
Overall, I would say that Rhaenyra is very much an ancient Greek tragic heroine who displays hubris through her overreliance on her noble birth and godlike status, as well as her excessive pride, which inevitably blinds her to the shifting political winds. Just like any other ancient Greek tragic hero, Rhaenyra is plagued by her own divine ambition and reaps the consequences of her own actions. What I cannot be sure of at the moment is the divine punishment that should follow according to the ancient Greek tragedy model, since I would not categorize Rhaenyra's end as such as per the books.
The above analysis confirms -to me at least- that Rhaenyra is such a complex and well-written character worth studying, loving, and analyzing. I enjoyed writing this and will probably look for more hints of hubris in the future. If that's something you'd like to see, you're welcome to give me ideas. Take this analysis with a grain of salt, and if you don't agree with it, that's ok too.
5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?
Blood Upon the Snow by Hozier and Bear McCreary.
12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?
That he's got a breeding kink, for sure. He loves nothing more than seeing his wife round with his babe, and as long as she's comfortable giving him more children, he will make sure she is always pregnant. Nothing gets him going faster and harder than the idea of putting another babe in her.
23. Favorite picture of this character?
This still. It's been in my mind ever since it was released before season two came out. Tom Taylor is such a perfect choice.
24. What other character from another fandom of yours that reminds you of them?
Hm. I'm obviously thinking about other Stark men but it's all the same fandom, really... I don't think any other character that I know can be compared to Cregan honestly.
The greens had too much fucking screen time. All I heard was them yapping about a war THEY started.
I thought I was the only one who thought this 😭 We had too much time with team green. Every time they were on screen, I would start zoning out and wishing we could just get back to team black. They try really hard to get us to sympathize with those characters but a majority of team green characters are beyond sympathy at this point. The only ones I feel bad for are Helaena and her children.
They would show a scene of Rhaenyra grieving over finding her murdered son's remains and then one of the next scenes would be Alicent having a teen angst moment arguing with her dad that he doesn't take her serious and the show expects us to feel bad for both.
The fact we got two Alicent/Criston sex scenes in episode one is crazy to me. Did we really need a long scene of Criston performing oral on Alicent and then they awkwardly talk about the weather while she helps dress him? Like that's really what we got over more time spent in Winterfell? Since Cregan will not be seen again until next season, I'm even more upset about all the time spent with team green this episode.
Baela and Rhaena didn't even get to speak!! Rhaena just lost her cousin and betrothed, a boy she grew up with and they didn't even allow her to say anything. Meanwhile, every child of Alicent's got to speak quite a bit in episode 1. I always see team black fans argue that the show favors team green and it sometimes feels very true.
Yes!! They severely cheapened Team Black’s grief by constantly cutting to the most unserious and unnecessary scenes of Team Green. In the middle of Luke’s funeral we get ALICENT, the woman who demanded his eye be cut out instead of focusing on his family and their grief??
And Alicent and Criston Cole is just so…ugh. I know it’s meant to show Alicent’s hypocrisy and I feel like they had to do it in the most obvious and extreme way to where you just can’t miss it because media literacy is dead. If they tried to show it in another way I feel like people just wouldn’t get it. Two scenes was just too much though, I agree especially when it cuts into more important things like Cregan
Baela and Rhaena are done dirty, once again. I’m holding onto hope that it’s only the first episode and that maybe things will change later on. This episode did feel very Team Green oriented which is ridiculous because Rhaenyra is literally the main character lmao
Hi I saw you're taking request *_* Can you please write a comfort story for Alicent x Reader. Perhaps Reader taking care of Alicent after Larys leaves her and she is obviously shaken and just wants someone to care for her and not expect anything in return.
Thank youuuuuu :)
a queens comfort - alicent hightower x fem!reader
summary: the queen requests the presence of her longtime “companion”
warnings: mentions of relationship between the reader and criston cole. mentions of larys strong. smut.
a/n: (wc - 3467) i got a bit carried away. oh well. also sorry for the bad smut I’m not that good at writing it yet. I do not allow anyone to repost or translate my work onto any other platforms. gif credit: vanessacarlysle
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y/n sat within her chambers reading a heavy book filled with texts of the history of Dorne, a kingdom she had admired due to its diversity in customs and culture and for its beautiful views and architecture. She had left very few candles aflame and allowed the scent of wax as well as oils and fragrances from the bath she had taken previously to cloud within the room.
She was perched with her legs placed beneath her and had already changed into her nightly sleeping gown, something other noble ladies of the court would consider quite scandalous due to the amount of skin visible, especially considering it had been a well-spend purchase whilst in Dorne, a kingdom well-known for its openness in most things, including clothing.
Suddenly as her head began to fall and she began to give into her slumber and faraway dreams a knock was heard at her door. Her head lifted quickly, giving her head a small ache at its swift rise. She set the book aside on a nearby table and quickly approached the door. It was opened to reveal a member of the kingsguard, recognizable by the white creme-white cloak. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion before the knight began to speak.
“Lady y/n,” he bowed his head in a respectable manner to acknowledge a noble and highborn woman. “The Queen has requested your presence within her chambers.”
y/n both sighed and then gulped as she nodded to the knight, “allow me to grab something modest to cover myself with, Ser.”
He nodded his head and stepped away from the door as she gently shut it and let out a breath. Alicent was requesting her presence and she didn’t have the slightest clue why. She and Alicent had become quite close when she was brought with her father to King’s Landing during her younger years. After the relationship between Alicent and the Princess, Rhaenyra Targaryen, ceased to exist Alicent became hard and stern. It was only but a few months after the Princess’ wedding to Ser Laenor Velaryon, the son of the Sea Snake, did y/n and members of her house arrive.
y/n was only six-and-ten when she had first visited the Red Keep. She had arrived with her mother and father as well as her brothers. Her father had been called to the Capitol after a raven had arrived at their ancestral home bearing an offer of becoming a member of the small council, replacing the late Lord of Harrenhal. Lyonel Strong after he had been lost in a tragic accident involving flames erupting the cursed castle of Harrenhal.
Two of her brothers, Finnick and Mikael, had also been sent ravens informing them of the opportunity of becoming knights of the Kingsgaurd. So, they had set about on their journey to Westeros’ Capitol. y/n was ecstatic when she had first arrived at the new setting she could explore and maybe even find a husband in, suitable to the liking of her lord father. She had roamed the Red Keep for weeks, finding solace within the gardens or her chamber’s balcony where she could read without interruption. It was unbeknownst to her that the Queen had taken a secret liking to her. It had begun when she learned of the girl’s taken liking to her sworn protector, Ser Criston Cole.
y/n had often become visibly flustered in the presence of the Queen’s sworn shield within her time of the Red Keep. She tried not to let the beautiful Dornish knight distract her from her duties as both a maiden and a Lady, but even then the flame of her fancy struggled to be snuffed out, especially when he had begun to indulge her. Sweet and innocent kisses here and then, words whispered within the shadows of the castle, gentle hands held as one whenever they could escape their duties. It was both blissful and exciting to y/n, until the Queen had become aware.
The Queen had developed an unspoken and secret infatuation with the girl who had reminded her so much of herself. Enjoying reading in solitude, rather than having to face Lords and Ladies of the court, enjoying the sweeter desserts rather than soured like lemon cakes, taking an interest in the gardens filled with endless flowers and plants. She had often found her eyes straying to y/n whenever in her presence and enjoying the calmness that would wash over her when simply watching her.
She had witnessed the small glances between her sworn shield and y/n but thought nothing of it, especially considering Ser Criston had swore that he would never take any interest in another woman for the rest of his days and solely devote himself to her, after she had prevented him from taking his life and offering him a pardon from his sins and a fresh start to become her sworn protector.
She felt a swell of an unknown feeling erupting within her chest when she learned of the secret relationship between Ser Criston and y/n. She thought of confronting them, but that would lead to consequences, consequences she didn’t wish for y/n to ever suffer. So, she simply offered y/n a position that would always keep her within arms reach and would allow Alicevnt to always know of her whereabouts.
When the Queen had offered her a chance to become one of her ladies-in-waiting she was in disbelief that she, a clumsily silly ordinary girl, in her opinion despite being a proper and highborn lady, had been offered such a thing by the Queen herself. She immediately accepted with a large smile erupting on both women’s faces. y/n, at the offer and high position with the Queen, and Alicent at the fact that y/n would be hers, not Cristons.
Their relationship had been strictly professional within the beginning, well professional from y/n’s part, Alicent was aware of what she had done the second y/n had said yes to her. y/n was often confused by the Queen’s behavior considering it was more intimate than most between royal women and their ladies-in-waiting, more intimate than girlfriends if she was being honest. Hugs that often lasted longer than ordinary one, hand holding that would go on without letting go for hours, late night chamber visits, and so on.
It wasn’t until a few years later that y/n had understood and finally could grasp just how deep the Queen’s feelings for her were. The small relationship had somewhat evolved between y/n and Criston had evolved to intimate and passionate kissing and when Alicent had found out she had done what she didn’t before, she confronted y/n.
y/n was brushing out the Queen’s hair, assisting her with getting ready for bed and taking out the intricate braids done by servant girls in the earlier morrow. y/n was smiling as she recalled her day to the Queen and informed her of her day spent with Aemond in the library, reading of Targaryen histories. Alicent hesitated with the comfronation when she heard of y/n’s spent time with her son. Aemond had told her of his deep affection for the women who treated him no differently from Aegon and Helaena despite not having a dragon and often choosing books with y/n rather than mischievous adventures with his brother. But she decided to go through with it nonetheless.
“What have you been doing when the hour of the owl strikes? Once all maids and servants have retreated to their chambers? What is it you do?” Alicent suddenly asked as she looked at y/n through her vanity mirror. y/n’s face paled and she paused in brushing Alicent’s hair before she gulped and continoused.
“Usually I simply read. Sleep often evades me and I spend the night on my balcony with a book, it’s most relaxing.” y/n replied and hoped the Queen couldn’t see through her lies. Alicent smiled at her, and hope swelled within y/n until she continued speaking.
“You are good at many things, my sweet y/n, but lying was never your strongest talent,” the sickly sweet tone and nickname made y/n want to leave the room in fear and embarrassment. “So, it is true what they whisper amongst the maids and servants of the Red Keep.”
“What is true?” y/n whispered after struggling to reply.
“Of this relationship between you and Ser Criston,” Alicent sneered at both the referral to the relationship and when mentioning the knight, a man she wished she had let reap his punishments years ago.
“I-” tears had begun to cloud y/n’s vision as she dropped the brush and backed away from the vanity. Alicent stood and began to walk towards her, like a predator stalking towards its prey.
“Have you let him touch you? Have you allowed him to sully and soil you? Have you allowed him to take what he, the mere son of a steward, doesn’t deserve? Have you allowed him to take your maidenhead?” Alicent’s continuous questions made the tears fall from y/n eyes as she continuously shook her head in denial.
“No, no, no. We’ve done…things, but I remain a maiden, my Queen,” she whispered as best she could through the sobs. Alicent quickly wrapped her arms around y/n and allowed her sobs to calm as she stroked allowed her hand to stroke y/n’s hair.
“Shh, shh. It's alright, my sweet. No need for any more tears. If what you say is true and despite still being a maiden, you allowed a simpleton man to touch you, a privilege he does not deserve. There is only one person who should be allowed to touch you. Do you know who that is?” She asked as y/n’s breathing had returned to normal. She shook her head in confusion of who was only allowed to touch her.
“Me, your Queen. The only person who should be allowed to touch you is me, just as I only ever wish for you to touch me. For to indulge in each other, to confide in each other.” Alicent admitted as she lifted y/n’s head into her line of sight. She looked down at her lips and suddenly couldn’t deny herself any longer. “May I kiss you?”
y/n hesitating in answering. She had always been taught that it was a sin for women to do anything sexual or imtimiate with other woman just as it was a sin or a man to be with another man. But y/n had never thought it that way, she never saw what was wrong with simply loving or having desires, whether it be a woman with a woman or a man with a man, it didn’t really bother y/n. So, with a shaky breath she let out a small, “yes.”
At that small and simple word Alicent crashed her lips against y/n’s. Her kisses were like a woman starved as her tongue demanded entrance. Alicent’s hand grazed over y/n’s covered womanhood causing her to gasp and at that opportunity, her tongue slid into her mouth. It tasted of the wine they had drank while breaking their fast together within her chambers causing Alicent to moan into her mouth.
y/n, having never been kissed with such passion and desire, moaned into the kiss as Alicent led them towards her large bed, only having realized as her knees hit the edge causing her to fall backwards. She gasped as they broke apart and Alicent continued to look at her hungirly. y/n looked at Alicent through hooded eyes as the Queen began to slide the elegant green dress off of herself. y/n gulped as the Alicent, the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, mother to several Targaryen children, stood bare before her. Though she still had a similar appearance as her younger self, marks had embedded themselves to her belly from her several pregnancies and all y/n wished to do was kiss all her scars and remind her how beautiful she was.
“I don’t expect for anything to happen tonight, per say, especially considering I am severely inexperienced and clueless in the art of pleasuring a woman. I simply wish for us to lay together and for activities of desire to occur once we are both ready and actually know what to do in performance.” Alicent admitted as she attempted to hide her belly once noticing y/n’s stares.
y/n suddenly stood up and removed her own gowns, including her undergown meant for even more modesty. She too stood bare as she removed Alicent’s hands that hid her scars and led them to lie upon the soft bed. y/n pulled the blankets up to cover their bare bodies. y/n’s fingers grazed Alicent’s perfect face, as she thought it to be, and placed gentle kisses all around her face causing the Queen to giggle, a childish giggle that caused y/n to smile. She wished to always hear that sound and if she could find a way to preserve it, she so desperately would.
And so, they did just that lie and sleep together, with the comfort and warmth of each other's arms. More had occurred throughout the years they spent together after y/n had chosen go educate herself. She often snuck away to the Street of Silk where she learned how to pleasure not a man but a woman. She often paid whores for their teaching and sometimes, though rarely they would teach her by pleasuring her body, visual and physical teaching they called it. It was something Alicent later forbade from happening once she learned of what whores were doing to her sweet y/n.
Though the knowledge she had gained had made their nights all the more pleasurable. y/n would display her leanings on her Queen and would spend the night making her cry out and throw her head in indescribable pleasure. That was their relationship for years, even up until the death of Viserys Targaryen, the King. The secret relationship between the Queen and Lady y/n had been a secret amongst solely themselves with the expectation of Ser Criston Cole who had been threatened with the sentence of torture then death by Alicent once he had learned of their relationship, should he ever seek vengeance against y/n who had broke off their secret arrangement.
As Ser Henrik, as she had learned to call him, led her to her lover’s chamber she contemplated what had happened for her to be called especially considering Alicent had informed her of her wish for a night in solitude, leaving y/n slightly saddened by an occurrence that hadn’t happened in years. She stole a breath as she approached the door of the Queen’s chamber.
“Thank you, Ser Henrik. But I presume your assistance is no longer needed,” she dismissed the knight as he slightly bowed and walked away. She knocked upon the door and waited until she heard a ‘come.’
“Alicent what’s happened?” y/n asked as she approached her lover, or more so, the love of her life and sat on the cushioned bench beside her. Alicent quickly latched on to her and she noticed how tightly Alicent had embraced her as she took her within her arms. “What's wrong, my love?”
“It was needed, it was necessary,” is all she mumbles and suddenly y/n understood and anger flared through her body as she cursed Larys Strong.
“I’m going to kill him or have him killed, I don't care which one it has to be. As long as he is dead and removed from our lives for good. He cannot carry on using and taking advantage of you through the threat of exposing us,” she seethed as she brushed away the stray curls from Alicent’t perfect face.
“I’m sorry, my love. I’m so sorry,” y/n apologized as she placed a gentle kiss on Alicent’s forehead and continued stroking her hair.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. Lord Larys is simply a sickly man who enjoys preying upon my only weakness, you.” Alicent mumbled as her head lay between y/n’s breasts, basking in the warmth and comfort her love brought compared to the overbearing gloominess cast over her a moment ago.
“Would you like to take a bath?” y/n asked as she continued her movements.
“No, no I simply wish for the comfort that is you,” she shook her head as she looked up into the eyes of the love of her life, the woman who had stood beside her though everything. The woman who had comforted her when she had needed it, who had raised children she considered more her and y/n’s than the king’s. y/n had loved and raised her children like a second mother, more than their father ever had. The woman who would kiss her cuticles and fingers and would clean the blood whenever her anxiety got the better of her.
Alicent placed her boney palms upon y/n’s cheek and let her lips lead them into a passionate kiss. Alicent quickly made work on removing her dress without breaking the kiss until y/n placed her hand upon Alicent’s backside and began to remove the gown for her. They stood and y/n made a quick and practiced haste to undo the laces, something that she had seemingly done hundreds of times already. Once her green gown pooled at her feet Alicent turnt y/n backwards to in turn remove her gown, though this one was much easier considering it being only a nightgown.
y/n led them towards the bed they shared almost every night and layed Alicent upon it. As y/n hovered over her queen she placed sweetly wet kisses on Alicent’s jaw and moved down to her throat. Alicent’s hands entangled themself in y/n’s hair once her kisses reached her breasts. y/n took one of her nipples within her mouth and swirled her tongue around the hardened bud as Alicent released a desperate moan. The ache and wetness in her cunt grew as y/n groped the breasts that weren't in contact with her mouth.
“y/n, I need you-” she trailed off with a moan as y/n’s knee rubbed against her soaking cunt.
“What do you need, my love? Tell me what you need,” she asked as her fingers trailed down to the hair that covered her mound and gently rubbed.
“I need you to touch me. Please touch me,” Alicent begged as her fingers pulled at y/n’s hair.
“I would hate to make my Queen beg,” y/n mocked as she kissed down her belly to her mound and kissed over the dark hair. And then finally her mouth reached the spot in which Alicent was most desperate for causing her to let out an obscene whine.
Alicent’s face contorted into one of pleasure as y/n licked and latched on to her clit. She arched her body in response as her head fell and eyes rolled back in pleasure. y/n continues to lick and such at her clit until Alicent voiced her impending orgasm. “I’m- I’m close-”
y/n smiled as she continued her ministrations and quickly encouraged her. “Let go, my sweet.”
Alicent let out a loud moan as pure euphoria washed over her as she came. y/n drinking in her orgasm and she softly licked around her sensitive nub. She sat up after watching Alicent's body shake at the overstimulation. “So sweet, just as always, my beautiful Queen.”
Alicent’s face is soon replaced by a lazy smile as y/n crawls up the bed to lie beside her. y/n holds her within the arms as she brought the sheets up to cover their bare bodies. Alicent mumbles from the comfort she’s found within y/n’s breasts. “Thank you, for being here with me, for being with me always.”
“There’s no need, my love. I’ll always stay with you and I will always be there when you need me.” y/n dismissed her sayings of gratitude as she wrapped her arms around her tighter. “Sleep, my Queen, rest. You deserve it after all the exhaustion you’ve been caused from today’s events.”
Alicent nodded as she fell away into the relief of slumber and y/n followed soon after. Both dreamed of lives consisting of just the two of them, happy and forever in love without the burdens of their responsibilities and disapproval of society and the people at the love shared between two women. They’d always be together, as they had promised each other, together in both life and death, bound by the instastiable and flaming love between them.
Also, Harwin put those kids in jeopardy by hanging around them. Let's not forget his 'my turn' when Leanor was holding baby Joffrey in front of Luke and Jace, who at the time still viewed Leanor as their father...Every adult in their life was selfish when those kids should have been the priority
Yeah. People always try and make this seem like a fairytale love to me which is weird considering the kids lives were literally in danger? Viserys even says so 😭 Like just fuck Jace and Luke ig. Doesn’t matter if they have to live with the consequences if everyone else is happy
