Review: A Game of Thrones – Chapter 3: Daenerys
Introduction
Chapter 3 of A Game of Thrones shifts the perspective to Daenerys Targaryen, marking the first time readers are introduced to the exiled Targaryen siblings, Daenerys and Viserys. This chapter is crucial in establishing Daenerys as a character and setting up one of the most significant arcs in A Song of Ice and Fire. Through her point of view, we see the tragic remnants of House Targaryen and the oppressive nature of her relationship with her brother. Additionally, the themes of power, identity, and autonomy are introduced as Daenerys prepares to be married off to Khal Drogo in a political arrangement meant to restore her family’s claim to the Iron Throne.
Plot Overview
The chapter opens with Daenerys standing in a luxurious bath, her body submerged in scalding water that would be unbearable for most people—an early hint at her unique Targaryen heritage. Her brother, Viserys, watches over her, inspecting her to ensure she is pleasing enough for her upcoming marriage to Khal Drogo. The scene immediately establishes the abusive and controlling nature of Viserys, who sees Daenerys not as a sister but as a tool to reclaim the throne of Westeros.
As Viserys forces Daenerys to wear a revealing dress meant to attract Drogo’s attention, she is filled with dread and resignation. She is painfully aware that she has no say in her own fate. The siblings have been living in exile ever since their father, King Aerys II, was overthrown in Robert’s Rebellion, and Viserys has been obsessed with reclaiming their lost throne ever since. He has promised Daenerys to the powerful Dothraki warlord, Khal Drogo, in exchange for an army that will help him retake Westeros.
Their host, Illyrio Mopatis, a wealthy magister of Pentos, reassures them that Khal Drogo is a great warrior and that Daenerys will be well-treated. However, Daenerys feels no comfort in these words—she does not know Drogo, nor does she want to marry him. Her anxiety culminates in a moment of vulnerability when she whispers, "I want to go home." But she has no home to return to, only the distant memories of Dragonstone and a life she barely remembers.
The chapter ends with Daenerys looking out over the sea, wishing she could escape, but knowing that Viserys’ wrath and ambition leave her with no choice.
Character Development
Daenerys Targaryen: A Pawn in the Game of Thrones
This chapter is our first introduction to Daenerys, and it immediately defines her as a character trapped by circumstance. At this point in the novel, she is meek, obedient, and fearful of Viserys, having lived her entire life under his control. She has no agency of her own, and her fate is being dictated by men who view her as a means to an end.
However, the chapter also plants the seeds of Daenerys’ eventual transformation. The fact that she can endure scalding hot water without flinching foreshadows her future connection to dragons and hints at her inner strength. Though she is powerless now, there are subtle indications that she possesses a resilience that will develop over time.
Her longing for "home" is particularly poignant because she has never truly known one. Unlike Viserys, whose identity is fully consumed by his desire to reclaim the Iron Throne, Daenerys’ longing is more personal—she seeks safety and belonging, rather than power. This early contrast between the two siblings highlights how differently they view their shared past and foreshadows the divergence in their paths.
Viserys Targaryen: The Beggar King
Viserys is presented as a deeply bitter and unstable figure, whose desperation for power has turned him into a cruel and abusive tyrant. He refers to Daenerys as his property, frequently reminding her that she must obey him because he is the "dragon." His entitlement to the throne is his sole obsession, and he sees Daenerys’ marriage to Khal Drogo as nothing more than a necessary sacrifice to regain what was "stolen" from him.
His cruelty toward Daenerys is not just physical but psychological—he has spent years manipulating and terrorizing her, ensuring she remains submissive to his will. However, there are also hints that Viserys is not as powerful as he believes himself to be. Unlike the great Targaryen rulers of the past, he is weak, impatient, and lacks the ability to inspire loyalty. This foreshadows his eventual downfall, as he fails to recognize that power must be earned, not simply inherited.
Illyrio Mopatis: The Manipulator
Illyrio is introduced as a seemingly kind benefactor, but his true motivations are much more self-serving. While he lavishes Viserys and Daenerys with hospitality, it is clear that he is using them for his own political gain. His assurance that Khal Drogo will help them reclaim the throne is not necessarily a promise, but rather a way to position himself favorably for future rewards. His presence in this chapter serves as an early reminder that alliances in A Song of Ice and Fire are rarely formed out of kindness—they are transactions, and Daenerys is the currency in this one.
Themes
Power and Control
This chapter explores different forms of power—Viserys’ illusion of power, Illyrio’s political influence, and Khal Drogo’s raw physical strength. Daenerys, at this stage, has none of these. She is completely powerless, her fate determined by men who see her as nothing more than a bargaining chip. However, the chapter subtly hints that this dynamic may not last forever.
Freedom vs. Captivity
Daenerys' longing for "home" symbolizes her deeper desire for freedom. While she has spent her life in exile, she has never truly been free—she has always been under Viserys’ control. Her marriage to Drogo represents yet another form of captivity, as she is being sold into a life she does not want. This theme of captivity will continue throughout her arc, but so too will her struggle to break free from those who seek to control her.
The Weight of the Past
The memory of the Targaryen dynasty looms large over this chapter. Viserys clings to the past with an almost delusional fervor, believing it is his birthright to reclaim the throne. Daenerys, however, has no personal connection to the past—she was born after the fall of her family and has only ever known a life of exile. This distinction between them will become more pronounced as Daenerys begins to carve out her own destiny, separate from the ghosts of her ancestors.
Tone and Atmosphere
The tone of this chapter is oppressive and claustrophobic, reflecting Daenerys’ lack of agency. The lavish setting of Pentos may be beautiful, but it is also a gilded cage—Daenerys is being prepared for a marriage she does not want, and there is no way out. The presence of Viserys adds an element of tension and dread, as his unpredictable temper makes him a constant threat. Even Illyrio’s reassurances feel hollow, reinforcing the sense that Daenerys is alone in a world that sees her as nothing more than a pawn.
Conclusion
Chapter 3 of A Game of Thrones is a vital introduction to Daenerys Targaryen and the challenges she faces. It establishes her as a character trapped in a life she did not choose, while also planting the seeds of her future transformation. The dynamic between Daenerys and Viserys sets up a compelling conflict, highlighting the difference between a true ruler and a delusional pretender.
By the end of the chapter, Daenerys remains powerless—but the hints of her resilience and unique heritage foreshadow the extraordinary journey ahead. This chapter serves as the first step in one of the most iconic character arcs in A Song of Ice and Fire, making it a crucial and compelling moment in the novel.
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