Tyrion Lannister, portrayed by the marvelous and award-winning Peter Dinklage was a fan favorite on Game of Thrones since his initial appearance in the pilot episode of the eight-season HBO hit. “I drink and I know things,” the youngest Lannister was known to say, and he was right. Viewers certainly got to watch Tyrion drink and, for the most part, he seemed to know things.
Perhaps he wasn’t as enveloped in secrets as his friend Varys, but he certainly had quite the mind and was wise enough to both almost control his nephew Joffrey as well as to lead and win The Battle of the Blackwater. But, as the years went on, and even in his brothel loving beginnings, Tyrion was no stranger to mistakes and missteps. There’s a lot more we can learn from the mistakes of a wise man than the expected stumbles of a fool.
Offending Joffrey
For a character who is supposed to be so wise, so politically minded, he was very very open with the distaste he harbored for his eldest nephew, the king. Everyone knew how the Hand of the King actually felt about the King and that certainly did not play in Tyrion’s favor when Joffrey was murdered at his own wedding. What can we take from this? The fact that a person in power is always being watched, is always under the microscope. To be the best political operator is to keep to the shadows and use back alleys and underhanded styles to get back at your enemies, rather than slapping them in the presence of others.
Making Enemies As The Hand Of The King
Tyrion should have known better than to ever think his power in Kings Landing would last. It wasn’t only Joffrey who Tyrion angered during his time as Hand of the King. Tyrion was also no fan of the Arch Maester, and members of the City Watch and the King’s Guard.
While this comes back to bight him almost immediately as he is attacked by his own side during the Battle of the Blackwater, it’s even worse when he is removed from his position by the arrival of his father Tywin. Tyrion has no real allies left in Kings Landing. Do not burn all your bridges when you find yourself in a position of power.
Going Onto The Battlefield At The Battle Of The Blackwater
One of Tyrion’s best moments as Hand of the King was his organizing the men and thinking up the use of wildfire at the Battle of the Blackwater. Where Tyrion becomes less of a master strategist is when he not only directs the men but also physically leads them out onto the beach to fight.
Tyrion is no real warrior, it’s not where his strengths lie. But still, he gets caught up in the moment and almost dies for his trouble. He also has a less than beautiful facial scar for the rest of his life. Everyone should learn to play to their strengths, but also recognize where their strengths end.
Not Thinking He Will Be Recognized In Essos
When Tyrion is finally freed of his crate after escaping Kings Landing and his death sentence he wanders about Volantis with no more than a hood as a disguise. He’s no longer worried about his sister’s goons, or anyone else for that matter, dragging him back to Westeros.
This unfounded lack of worry comes despite the fact that, especially with his new scar, he is one of the most recognizable faces in the world. It was not hard for Jorah to both recognize and kidnap the Lannister. What can we learn? Don’t underestimate the people around you. No one is ever really safe.
Losing It At His Trial
Tyrion totally loses his cool when he is brought to trial in Kings Landing for the murder of his nephew, the king. Fans always knew there was no way for Tyrion to get a fair trial, but lashing out at judge, jury, and spectators was not a good look.
It also negated the deal Jaime had made with their father Tywin, to send Tyrion to the wall instead of to his death. Not only did Tyrion lose the option of going to the wall, but he also lost some of the affection of his brother and showed all of Kings Landing exactly the mad man they had made him out to be. Never stoop to the level of your tormentors.
Bringing Shae into the Red Keep
No matter how persistent a significant other is do not ever agree to take her into the lion’s den that is likely to get both her, and anyone else unprepared for the consequences, killed.
Shae not only betrayed Tyrion at his trial but then slept with his dad, Tywin. Fans can all learn to trust our instincts and stick to their guns sometimes, particularly when a person’s life depends on it. In this case, it ended up costing two characters close to Tyrion their lives.
Thinking Capturing A Wight Is A Good Plan
Tyrion may have had a great plan at the Blackwater, but his plan to capture a wight from beyond the wall and bring it to Cersei as proof that a greater war is headed their way is, well, not great.
Sometimes grand gestures are not enough. Sometimes it’s more important to protect the allies around you than to try and show off to your enemies. Especially when those enemies are named Cersei and have been rather antagonistic since their birth.
Sending Jorah Away
The first piece of advice Tyrion offers Daenerys is that she should once again send Jorah away. While many fans recognized how much crueler and more impulsive Daenerys was without Jorah by her side (burning the Tarleys anyone?) it didn’t all start after he went searching for a greyscale cure.
Daenerys’ decision to marry Hizdahr zo Loraq and to reopen the fighting pits also happened in Jorah’s initial absence. Just because a person kidnaps you it’s never wise to react out of vengeance rather than in the best interest of the kingdom around you.
Trusting Cersei To Keep Her Word
After his unfortunate plan for them to capture a wight Tyrion further exacerbated his problems by trusting this would be enough for Cersei, and she would keep her word to help fight in the north.
If a person shows you who they are the smartest thing you can possibly do is actually believe them. But, for Tyrion, his ties to his family and the hopes that they would finally come to accept him and side with him for the sake of themselves and their families only served to weaken his position.
Working With His Family
Despite Tyrion’s very clear understanding that a good portion of his family would prefer him dead (Tywin, Cersei, Joffrey) he still goes back to work with them far more times than is wise. He’s very lucky to live long enough to be tried for Joffrey’s murder. The smartest thing to do with any toxic relationship is to leave it behind as soon as possible. But, once again, it is Tyrion’s ties to his toxic family and his hope for their approval that ultimately undoes him time and time again.
