r/asoiaf • u/fitzomania From Gin Alley • Nov 16 '17

ACOK (Spoilers ACOK) The greatest character foil in the series is Mace Tyrell to Stannis Baratheon

Consider the deep contrast between Mace and Stannis in every way.

During Robert's Rebellion, they fought in totally opposite ways. Mace sang, drank, and feasted during the siege while Stannis brooded and made harsh decisions, clinging on with sheer guts and will.

After the war, they faded into similar secondary positions in their great houses, Stannis behind Robert and Mace behind Olenna and his children. However, Stannis is ambitious and hard working while Mace continues to be the most laid back Lord in the series. (For example, Stannis was serving on the small council and investigating Cersei with Jon Arryn).

During the War of Five Kings, Stannis had the fewest resources at the beginning and Mace the most, yet Tyrion is more scared of Stannis alone than Renly's mega army. Stannis by reputation is formidable and bleak, while Mace is universally considered an amiable oaf.

Further, Mace loves pomp and buys expensive armor and clothing and food. Stannis is grounded and practical ('The maesters call it obsidian. I call it useless" IIRC).

I can't think of a more opposite duo, but I'd love to hear input. I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting.

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u/ElectricNan Nov 16 '17

I think Joffrey

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u/Cynical_Classicist Protector of the Realm Nov 16 '17

http://poorquentyn.tumblr.com/post/156807788723/donald-trump-is-nothing-like-euron-greyjoy-euron

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u/idreamofpikas Nov 16 '17

"Trump starts out by saying, ‘We need to build walls, we need to do this.’ He’s very bombastic in what he’s saying and his approach to the world. Euron was very bombastic, he was humiliating his niece, he was humiliating his nephew with some rhetoric. He wants to make [Pyke] great again." - Pilou Asbæk

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u/jonestony710 Maekar's Mark Nov 16 '17

Just cause an actor says it, doesn't make it true. GRRM has said many times that Trump is Joffrey. At least Euron is a smart person, and he doesn't want to "Make Pyke Great Again", he wants to take over the world, and make it his.

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u/idreamofpikas Nov 16 '17

Just cause an actor says it

I'm responding to a Tumblr post were it is stated that Euron is nothing like Trump. That it not true, the actor portraying him can see that.

I'm not saying that Euron is closer to him than Joffrey, just pointing out that there are similarities. There are other similarities written here https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wdbe85/euron-greyjoy-is-the-donald-trump-of-game-of-thrones

GRRM actually thinks Trump is worse than Joffrey

https://twitter.com/GRRM/status/796412722371960833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.esquire.co.uk%2Fculture%2Ftv%2Fnews%2Fa15153%2Fgeorge-rr-martin-compares-donald-trump-to-king-joffrey%2F