Now, with the release of the HBO series “House of the Dragon” looming on the horizon, many fans are looking back at its predecessor, “Game of Thrones.” As in the previous series, the House of the Dragon looks like it will be full of powerful women waging a war for the Iron Throne.
Of all the characters who appeared in the series, Cersei was perhaps one of the most indomitable, with a will that knew no bounds. Despite the fact that she was a surprisingly complex and richly developed character, there are still a number of quotes that really characterize her complex and multifaceted personality well.
About her feelings for love:
“Love is poison. Sweet poison, yes, but it will still kill you.”
While Game of Thrones is largely about power and what people will do to achieve it, it’s also about human relationships. Cersei, as can be seen from this quote, clearly understands both the strengths and weaknesses of the human condition.
While she clearly loves some people in her life—her brother Jaime the most—she also knows how strong weakness can be and how it can lead to someone’s downfall, no matter how powerful someone may be.
About finding yourself:
“All who are not us are enemies.”
Of all the powerful Houses appearing in Game of Thrones, the Lannisters are among the most formidable. Cersei, like the rest of her family, views politics as a zero-sum game in which there are winners and losers.
So, as this quote makes clear, she basically considers anyone who is not a Lannister an enemy. While there is some truth to this sentiment, it is also true that this particular belief of hers will eventually become one of her greatest obligations as a ruler, as it prevents her from creating and maintaining useful allies.
About her life choice:
“I choose violence.”
Cersei was capable of doing many terrible things, and this quote best embodies that reality. While some may have tried to take the path of reconciliation or peace, it was never the path of Cersei. In fact, the choice of violence was one of the most persistent traits of her personality, and it characterized her relationships with almost all the main characters with whom she came into contact.
It may have reached its full expression in her decision to blow up the Great Sept of Baelor, an action that would overshadow the rest of her brief reign, but it was one of her most consistent characteristics and individual downfalls.
On the contest:
“When you play Game of Thrones, you either win or die.”
This could just be a thesis for the whole series. Just as importantly, this feeling is also the key to Cersei’s entire personality. There can be no other way for her to exist in the world. There is, in fact, no golden mean and there is no hope of reconciliation with the enemies.
If anything, the sole purpose of power is power. While this is a very clear (and correct) understanding of the politics of Westeros, it is also a feeling that does little to make her a very effective ruler for her people.
About the advantages:
“Strength is strength.”
Few things motivate Game of Thrones characters more than power. This is especially true of Cersei, who, while admitting that she is one of the smartest people in the Lannister family, still has to put up with the fact that she is a woman in a world in which being such is considered a serious burden.
Therefore, it is not surprising that she adheres to such a rather cynical view of the world. If she cannot be respected as a woman, then she will use power as she sees fit, regardless of the consequences.
About avoiding entanglements
“The more people you love, the weaker you are. You will do for them what you know you shouldn’t do. You will act like a fool to make them happy, to protect them… Love no one but your children; On this front, the mother has no choice.”
There are many important relationships in Game of Thrones, but perhaps one of the most important is the relationship between Cersei and her children. This quote clearly conveys Cersei’s point of view about her children, for whom she is ready to sacrifice literally everything.
Although some consider her a monster, it shows that under her cold exterior she really cares about her offspring, even Joffrey, whose cruelty knows almost no bounds. For her, they are the most important thing in the world, and this is a point of view that many viewers can sympathize with.
About the daughter:
“I thought if I could do something so good, so pure, maybe I’m not a monster.”
For a while, it seemed that Cersei was incapable of any introspection or introspection. However, the truth is that, as this quote shows, she is really well aware of how different she is from the others who surround her.
In fact, there is something sadly poignant about her desire to see herself-and be noticed-by someone other than the monster that others think she is.
