Game of Thrones is a fantasy series based on the book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R R Martin. There is a huge fan following for the story with twists and turns, bloodshed, the number of characters and the subplots. A viewer who has no idea about the series might find the world hectic, so here’s what you need to know about the series.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Game of Thrones.
Where is Game of Thrones set?
Game of Thrones is set in the fantasy land called Westeros. The major plot is around the Iron Throne, like the name suggests, it is all about the ploys and plots for the throne and all the major characters in the series want a piece of it. Westeros is divided into northerners, southerners and the eastern area of Dorne. The show’s opening credit is a visual representation of the vast lands and family.
Who are the Starks?
The Starks are the family in the north and the fan favorites in the series. We follow the lives of six Stark children namely Robb, Bran, Arya, Sansa, baby Rickon and the bastard Jon Snow on their paths around Westeros. Ned and Catelyn Stark are the lord and lady of the North, and their parents. Their home is in Winterfell. “Winter Is Coming'' is their house motto and the direwolf is their symbol.
Who are the Baratheons?
Robert Baratheon sits on the Iron Throne, they are the ones who rule all of Westeros. Baratheon overthrew the Mad King in a revolution with the help of Ned Stark. Robert's son, not his own, Joffrey Baratheon, succeeded Robert and unleashed a psychotic tyrant’s rule until he was murdered on his wedding day. Joffrey was succeeded by his younger brother, the child Tommen, known as ‘the boy king’. Their house motto is “Ours Is the Fury,” and the stag is their symbol.
Who are the Lannisters?
The Lannisters are one of the wealthiest houses and became powerful by an alliance of marriage to Baratheons as Cersei Lannister wedded Robert Baratheon. But she did not bear his children, who were a product of incest with her twin, Jaime. The dwarf brother, one of the fan favorites known for his wittiness, Tyrion, murdered their powerful father, Lord Tywin of Lannisport. Their house motto is “A Lannister Always Repays His Debts,” and the lion is their symbol.
Who is the Targaryen girl?
Daenerys Targaryen is the true heir to the Iron Throne. The Mad King Aerys was her father, who was overthrown by Robert Baratheon in the rebellion. She was kept safe across the Narrow Sea in her early life until she came of age. She was married to a Dothraki by her brother. She is also known as the Mother of Dragons, having hatched the three dragon eggs gifted to her, naming them Rhaegar, Viserion, and Drogon after her late brothers and husband. Her house motto is “Fire and Blood,” and the three-headed dragon is their symbol.
What are The Wall and The White Walkers?
At the northern border of Westeros is a great magical wall that keeps the wildlings of the north at bay and stops the raiders from getting in. The King Beyond the Wall, named Mance Rayder, convinced the wildlings to attack the Wall and go beyond it, but failed. Beyond the wall, there are creatures that have risen from the dead, called the White Walkers, from whom the wildlings and rangers are trying to escape.
Who are the The Night's Watch?
The Night’s Watch are a bunch of misfits and outcasts who are sent to the Wall to defend it from anything beyond the wall. They are men who committed crimes, given a choice to choose, between life on the Wall and death. Jon Snow chose the path of the Wall and became head commander. He realizes the grave dangers that await beyond the wall.
Who will claim the Iron Throne?
The rebellion, the tension between the Starks and the Lannisters, and Robert Baratheon’s death, were mainly over succession because Robert’s heirs were discovered by Ned Stark to be illegitimately fathered by Jaime Lannister. So, the Lannisters had Ned Stark executed when he was going to reveal this information, the entire country went to war over this, and thus started the Game of Thrones.
FAQs
Q. How many seasons are there in Game of Thrones?
A. There are a total of 8 seasons of Game of Thrones.
Q. Who is Daenerys' father?
A. Her father was King Aerys II Targaryen, known as The Mad King.
Q. What is the real identity of Jon Snow?
A. Jon Snow's real name is Aegon Targaryen, which was revealed later in the seasons, making him not a bastard of Ned Stark.
