A Clash of Kings: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: George Richard Raymond Martin

Alternate Title: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Two

First published: 1998

Genre: Novel

Locale: King's Landing, Westeros; Winterfell, Westeros; Qarth, Essos; Dothraki Sea, Essos

Plot: Epic fantasy

Time: Fictional Middle Ages, 299 AL

Arya Stark, the third child of Catelyn Stark and the deceased Eddard Stark. Arya is smuggled from King's Landing by a recruiter for the Night's Watch. She then endures and resists captivity by several sets of warlords. Although still a child, she proves ruthless and longs for revenge against a growing list of enemies, which she recites nightly.

Asha Greyjoy, daughter of Balon Greyjoy, lord of the Iron Islands, and a formidable captain and fighter. She tricks her brother Theon when he returns home from his fostering at Winterfell, shaming him.

Balon Greyjoy, lord of the Iron Islands, who once led a thwarted rebellion against King Robert Baratheon. All of his sons were killed except Theon, who was sent to Winterfell as a ward of Eddard Stark. Balon uses the political turmoil after King Robert's death to renew his bid to become independent king of the Iron Islands.

Beric Dondarrion, whom Eddard Stark sent to raid Lannister forces led by Gregor Clegane. Although Eddard Stark is dead, Beric Dondarrion seemingly continues his mission, though there are also rumors that he is dead himself.

Brandon “Bran” Stark, the Starks' second son. A crippled young boy with a strange psychic connection to his direwolf, Summer, Bran is left at Winterfell for safety, as his mother and brother are engaged in a war of rebellion against King Joffrey. When Winterfell is taken by Theon Greyjoy, he escapes, along with brother Rickon, a wilding named Osha, a simple stableman named Hodor, and Jojen and Meera Reed.

Brienne of Tarth, a large and homely warrior woman, uncommon in Westeros, who is mocked for her unusual appearance. She is a formidable fighter and joins Renly Baratheon's inner circle of guards. She is present when he is killed by an otherworldly shadow.

Catelyn Tully Stark, widow of Eddard Stark. She is torn between helping her son Robb's war effort and protecting her younger children. She goes to forge an alliance with Renly Baratheon but sees him killed by a shadow.

Cersei Lannister, the queen regent for her underage son Joffrey, the king of Westeros. She attempts to consolidate power for the Lannister family, struggles to control the willful young king, and grows frustrated with the limits to her personal power as a woman.

Craster, a grizzled old wildling man who sometimes gives food and shelter to members of the Night's Watch. Craster marries his daughters and kills his sons, which others find abhorrent.

Daenerys Targaryen, the widow of Khal Drogo, the khaleesi who leads the remnants of his horde to the exotic trading city of Qarth and struggles against plots to capture her three young dragons.

Gendry, a teenaged blacksmith's apprentice who is smuggled out of King's Landing along with Arya Stark. Gendry is secretly the illegitimate son of King Robert Baratheon. Gendry made himself a helmet in the shape of a bull's head, and is called the Bull.

Gregor “the Mountain That Rides” Clegane, also known as the Mountain, a powerful, enormous knight in the service of Tywin Lannister.

Jaime “the Kingslayer” Lannister, the eldest son of Tywin Lannister and father of his twin sister Cersei's three children, who remains a captive of Robb Stark's rebel forces.

Joffrey Baratheon, the adolescent king of Westeros who bears deceased King Robert Baratheon's name but is actually Jaime Lannister's son. His sadistic tendencies continue to trouble his advisers.

Jojen Reed, who, along with his sister Meera, comes from the mysterious swamps of the Neck to Winterfell for a feast. At thirteen years old, he is very mature and serious. Jojen has an ability to dream about the future. He considers it his duty to help Bran Stark fulfill his destiny by meeting the three-eyed crow north of the Wall.

Jon Snow, the illegitimate son of Eddard Stark and a brother of the Night's Watch. He goes on a ranging mission north of the Wall, where a senior Night's Watch brother orders him to pretend to defect to Mance Rayder's wildling army.

Jorah Mormont, the exiled lord of Bear Island who has become a trusted adviser to Daenerys Targaryen. He seems to have fallen in love with her, though he first came to her service to spy on her for Robert Baratheon.

Mance Rayder, a former member of the Night's Watch who became king north of the Wall and organizes the largest army of wildings in memory.

Margaery Tyrell, the beautiful daughter of a powerful house. She is married to Renly Baratheon until he is killed. The Lannister family then suggests that she marry King Joffrey.

Meera Reed, the sister of Jojen who accompanies him in his quest to help Bran Stark. She is a good hunter, quick with a spear and a net, the traditional weapons of her people.

Melisandre, a priestess of the red god R'hllor who comes to have considerable influence over Stannis Baratheon and his wife, Selyse. She gives birth to a shadow that kills Stannis's brother Renly, who is also attempting to take the crown.

Myrcella Baratheon, Cersei Lannister's second child. She is a beautiful and agreeable little girl. Her uncle, Tyrion Lannister, sends her to Dorne during political unrest in King's Landing.

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish, an ambitious royal adviser from a small house.

Ramsay Snow, the illegitimate son of Roose Bolton, who shares his father's fascination with torture and flaying. He snatches Winterfell from Theon Greyjoy and tortures him horribly.

Renly Baratheon, the youngest brother of deceased King Robert Baratheon. He is a charming dandy. After declaring himself as a contender for the throne of Westeros, he is killed by a mysterious shadow sent by Melisandre.

Rickon Stark, the Starks' youngest child. A very small boy, he remains at Winterfell with his brother Bran until it is captured. They then flee with Osha, Hodor, and Jojen and Meera Reed. When the group splits up, he goes with Osha.

Robb Stark, lord of Winterfell after his father, Eddard, was executed. He is leading a rebellion against King Joffrey. He proves himself to be a capable war leader despite his youth.

Roose Bolton, lord of the Dreadfort and nominally one of Robb Stark's allies. A sly and calculating man, he allies himself with Walder Frey.

Samwell Tarly, a fat and cowardly brother of the Night's Watch and friend of Jon Snow. He befriends Gilly, Craster's pregnant daughter-wife, who fears for her child because Craster kills his boys and marries his daughters.

Sandor “the Hound” Clegane, also called the Hound, King Joffrey's bodyguard. Half of his face was burned off by his brother, Gregor Clegane. He eventually flees the burning King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater.

Sansa Stark, the Starks' eldest daughter, who is betrothed to King Joffrey, whom she begins to despise for his cruelty. She is kept as a prisoner in King's Landing by Joffrey and his mother, Cersei Lannister, while her brother Robb wages a rebellion against the boy-king.

Stannis Baratheon, the eldest living brother of deceased King Robert Baratheon, who pursues his dead brother's throne out of a sense of duty.

Theon Greyjoy, a ward of Eddard Stark. When Eddard is killed and Robb becomes lord of Winterfell, Robb sends Theon to negotiate a naval alliance with Theon's father, Balon Greyjoy. Theon tries to win praise by taking Winterfell, a shocking act of betrayal. Winterfell and Theon are then taken by the vicious Ramsay Snow.

Tywin Lannister, father of Cersei and grandfather of King Joffrey. He is the real commander of the royal military. He is a serious and experienced leader, committed to the Lannister family's future.

Tyrion “the Imp” Lannister, son of Tywin Lannister and adviser (Hand of the King) to Joffrey in King's Landing in his father's place. Although others mock him for being a dwarf, he works hard to help the Lannister family.

Walder Frey, the elderly and cantankerous lord of the Crossing and nominally Robb Stark's ally.

Ygritte, a red-haired wildling woman spared from execution by Jon Snow, whom she helps assimilate into Mance Rayder's army.