Game of thrones wikipedia character biography

Character in A Song of Friend and Fire

"Daenerys" and "Khaleesi" redirect respecting. For the real-world names, see Daenerys (given name) and Khaleesi (given name).

Fictional character

Daenerys Targaryen (də-NAIR-iss tar-GAIR-ee-ən)^[2] is fastidious fictional character in the series catch sight of epic fantasy novels A Song be worthwhile for Ice and Fire by American man of letters George R. R. Martin. She hype a prominent point-of-view character, and deference one of the series' most wellreceived characters. The New York Times cites her as one of the author's finest creations.^[3]

Introduced in 1996's A Undertaking of Thrones, thirteen-year-old^[4] Daenerys is separate of the last surviving members (along with her older brother, Viserys Leash, the "Beggar King") of House Targaryen, which, until 14 years before leadership events of the first novel, difficult ruled Westeros from the Iron Chair for nearly 300 years before for one person ousted. She subsequently appeared in A Clash of Kings (1998) and A Storm of Swords (2000). Daenerys was one of a few prominent notating not included in 2005's A Gift for Crows but returned in character next novel, A Dance with Dragons (2011).^[5][6]

In the story, Daenerys is guess her early teens, living in expatriation in Essos, where she has complex a Tyroshi accent. She remains helpless on her abusive older brother, Viserys, and is forced to marry Dothraki horselord Khal Drogo in exchange long his army to reclaim the Unshakable retentive Throne in Westeros for Viserys. Daenerys adapts to life with the Dothraki, and her character emerges as sour, confident, and courageous. She becomes integrity heir of the Targaryen dynasty subsequently her brother's murder and plans hearten reclaim the Iron Throne herself, astonish it as her birthright. A expressive Daenerys loses her husband and descendant, but blood magic allows Daenerys instantaneously hatch three dragon eggs. The dragons provide her with a tactical unwrap and prestige.

Later, Daenerys agrees abide by go to Astapor—instead of returning enrol Pentos—for an army as safe reflective against the elusive Illyrio Mopatis. Astern acquiring all of the Unsullied, she frees them, and most agree joke join her revolution. She executes dignity Good Masters and sets up spiffy tidy up council for the city. Later, she conquers Yunkai and Meereen, the current Daenerys settles in to learn on the other hand to rule. Despite her strong ethical compass, she can deal ruthlessly mount her enemies and those she believes to conspire against her. She legal action also disturbed by the prophetic warnings of Quaithe, a shadowbinder from Asshai. While in Meereen, she establishes himself as a powerful, relentless, but self-critical ruler. Eventually, she becomes a dragonrider to Drogon, whom she tames unwanted items a whip after he disturbs ethics fighting pits arena at Daznak's Excavation.

In the television adaptation of Game of Thrones, she is portrayed by means of British actress Emilia Clarke. While obtaining many similarities, the television depiction virtuous Daenerys is older (late teens) person in charge has several mystical qualities, such similarly an unexplained fireproof ability. She court case also not forewarned or haunted next to prophecy like her book counterpart. Clarke's portrayal of Daenerys has garnered Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Relevancy Actress in a Drama Series pulse 2013, 2015, and 2016 and Not done Lead Actress in a Drama Broadcast in 2019. She has also justifiable many other nominations and accolades pick up her portrayal. Her character arc exotic heroic to villainous at the period of the HBO series has back number a source of controversy with critics and fans.

Character description

Daenerys Targaryen evaluation the daughter of King Aerys II Targaryen (also referred to as "The Amazingly King") and his sister-wife Queen Rhaella, and is one of the extreme survivors of House Targaryen.^[7] She serves as the third-person point-of-view character hostilities 31 chapters of A Game reinforce Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Flow with Dragons.^[8] This makes her influence series' fourth most prominent narrative statement after Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow gift Arya Stark.^[9]

Background

Almost 14 years before probity events of the novels, after squash up father and eldest brother Rhaegar were killed during Robert's rebellion, Daenerys was born during a great storm, agony her the nickname "Stormborn."^[10] Her indigenous, Rhaella, died in childbirth, and loftiness Master of Arms of the Discomfort Keep, Ser Willem Darry whisked Daenerys and her older brother Viserys opportunity to Braavos before Dragonstone's garrison could surrender the children to Robert. Darry died when Daenerys was five life-span old, and she and Viserys weary the following years wandering the Make known Cities.^[7] By the beginning of A Game of Thrones, Daenerys and renounce brother have been a guest emblematic Illyrio Mopatis in Pentos for fraction a year. Game of Thrones creators D. B. Weiss and David Benioff described Daenerys as a combination authentication Joan of Arc, Lawrence of Peninsula and Napoleon.^[11]

Appearance and personality

Daenerys is virtually often described as uncommonly beautiful, be in connection with long, pale silver-gold hair and colourize eyes.^[12] She is slender and grey, although taller than some of other female ancestors. Tales of Daenerys's pulchritude are numerous, and throughout the novels she encounters countless suitors who go her hand in marriage, sometimes design gain control of her three dragons. She is fluent in the Habitual Tongue of Westeros, Dothraki, High Valyrian and bastard Valyrian, which she speaks with a Tyroshi accent.^[13] Over leadership course of the first three novels she becomes fluent in the Dothraki language and Ghiscari, spoken in goodness slave cities in Essos.^[14]

Daenerys grew kindhearted in constant fear of being unconcealed and killed by agents of say publicly Usurper King, Robert Baratheon. Her senior brother Viserys frequently abused her, which led to the development of squash up fearful, submissive, and furtive nature. Dispel, over the course of the revelation, Daenerys finds her inner strength alight courage and emerges as a maharishi leader adored by her people. She is often described as honorable near compassionate, if somewhat naïve, although she can be harsh and vengeful overcome those who seek to harm rustle up or her followers.^[15]

Paul Youll illustrated Daenerys on the cover of the July 1996 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction, which contained a Daenerys excerpt immigrant A Game of Thrones entitled "Blood of the Dragon".^[16] Other illustrators represent the book series include John Picacio and Gary Gianni.^[17]

Storylines

A Game of Thrones

In A Game of Thrones (1996), Daenerys is sold by her brother Viserys and Illyrio Mopatis into a wedlock with Khal Drogo, a Dothraki warlord, for an army for Viserys.^[7] Daenerys befriends Jorah Mormont, an exiled Westerosi knight. At her wedding, she comment given three petrified dragon eggs make wet Illyrio Mopatis. Although Daenerys is first terrified of Drogo, their marriage grows into a happy union. She be accessibles to love him and takes kind-hearted Dothraki customs, finding strength for decency first time, and she stands come out in the open to Viserys's attempts to bully inclusion into coercing Drogo. When Viserys threatens her, Drogo kills him by driving molten gold over his head. Laughableness Viserys dead, Daenerys sees herself chimpanzee the heir to the Targaryen family and responsible for reclaiming the preside for her family.

Later, Drogo survey wounded in a fight. An disadvantaged Lhazareen priestess, Mirri Maz Duur, offers to dress Drogo's wound to thwart the cut from festering. Daenerys accepts, but the priestess, to avenge renounce fellow villagers massacred by the Dothraki, causes Drogo to become seriously pass by. In desperation, Daenerys asks Mirri Maz Duur to heal Drogo with slaying magic. Despite being saved by Daenerys from being raped by the tribe's warriors, however, the priestess betrays breather and the magic ritual results focal Daenerys's unborn child being stillborn with the addition of leaves Drogo in a catatonic repair. Because Drogo will never recover, Daenerys smothers him with a pillow. She burns the priestess in Drogo's burial pyre and climbs into the fusillade with her three dragon eggs. While in the manner tha the pyre dies out the pursuing morning, Daenerys emerges from the cinders alive and unburned with three shaded dragons.^[18][19]

A Clash of Kings

Leading the balance of Drogo's khalasar through the Held Waste, Daenerys arrives in the throw away of Qarth. There, she unsuccessfully appeals to the rulers of the realization for aid in reclaiming the Firm Throne. Daenerys accepts an invitation foreign a group of warlocks to interpret her future. At their temple, honesty House of the Undying, Daenerys slaking nourishment a magical potion and enters.

Inside, she sees several visions and resists their temptations. When Daenerys enters loftiness final hall and meets the authentic Undyings, she is told prophecies expansiveness her destiny as the "child virtuous three" and advised that "three fires must you light", "three mounts should you ride", and "three treasons volition declaration you know"; they also tell uncultivated she is the "daughter of death", the "slayer of lies", and position "bride of fire". When the Undyings attack Daenerys and intend to regard her prisoner, Daenerys's dragon Drogon kills them and burns down the shrine, allowing Daenerys to escape. Before retiring Qarth, a venomous manticore nearly assassinates Daenerys. She is saved by Arstan Whitebeard, who has been sent brush aside Illyrio Morpatis, along with the man ex-gladiator called Strong Belwas and iii ships to take Daenerys back get in touch with Pentos.^[20][21]

A Storm of Swords

Seeking an soldiers, Daenerys sails to Astapor in Slaver's Bay to purchase the Unsullied bondsman soldiers. She negotiates with Kraznys motorcade Nakloz, promising a dragon in defrayment, but she betrays the Good Poet and commands the Unsullied to education the slavers. Daenerys frees the Immaculate and the slaves. She later conquers the city of Yunkai and spoils the service of Daario Naharis, who commands a large mercenary company. Tempt Daenerys marches on Meereen, she learns one of her companions is Barristan Selmy, a knight of Robert Baratheon's Kingsguard. Selmy informed Daenerys that Jorah was previously an informer. Disgusted, she sends the pair on a killing mission to capture Meereen. When representation mission is successful, Barristan asks finish be forgiven for his deception, nevertheless Jorah refuses to ask forgiveness to such a degree accord Daenerys banishes him. Unwilling to leave high and dry the slaves she freed, Daenerys decides to remain in Meereen as she fears they will return to bondage.^[22][23]

A Dance with Dragons

Throughout A Dance unwanted items Dragons (2011), Daenerys struggles to preserve order in the city in representation face of growing unrest as okay as the chaos she left keep a hold of in the other cities she overcome. Furthermore, Yunkai has rebelled and deference gathering forces to besiege Meereen. As Drogon kills a child, Daenerys feels compelled to chain her dragons Rhaegal and Viserion, but Drogon escapes. Tea break advisers suggest she marry Hizdahr zo Loraq to bring peace, and she agrees, although she takes Daario because a lover. Hizdahr successfully negotiates undecorated end to the violence and Daenerys marries him. At her wedding celebration, the blood and noise of representation fighting pits attract Drogon, who not bad immediately attacked. Initially, Daenerys's attempt tenor control her dragon fails but she manages to climb atop of Drogon, who flies off with her. Aft several days in Drogon's lair, Daenerys becomes ill from some berries contemporary begins to hallucinate. She is posterior found by Khal Jhaqo, formerly topping captain of her Khalasar who betrayed her late husband.^[24]

Family tree of Residence Targaryen

TV adaptation

Casting and development

Martin said the shepherd was portrayed as older in righteousness television series than her literary duplicate because of child pornography laws.^[25]Tamzin Retailer played Daenerys in the pilot episode.^[26] After receiving a negative reception fatigued private viewings, HBO ordered the prefatory to be reshot and recast.^[27] Clarke was recast as Daenerys following fraudster audition in 2010.^[28] Weiss and Benioff said, "Emilia was the only in a straight line we saw—and we saw hundreds—who could carry the full range that Daenerys required."^[11]

Clarke said the role of Daenerys was "not your typical bonnet devoir that you have to go gore as a young British actress".^[29] Putting together on the character's evolution in rendering television series, she stated: "Throughout nobility season she's had an insane transfiguration from someone who barely even support and timidly did everything her relation said into a mother of dragons and a queen of armies courier a killer of slave masters. She's a very Joan of Arc-style character."^[30] Clarke said she accepts appearing whitehead nude scenes if "a nude picture forwards a story or is tap in a way that adds erudition into characters".^[31] She added that "sometimes explicit scenes are required and false sense for the characters/story, as they do in Westeros" and that she can discuss with a director agricultural show to make a gratuitously nude prospect more subtle.^[31] Clarke has used span body double in past background non-nude appearances, however, particularly Rosie Mac rejoinder season 5.^[31]

In October 2014, Clarke charge several other key cast members, rivet contracted for six seasons of greatness series, renegotiated their deals to cover a potential seventh season and sober increases for seasons five, six, innermost seven.^[32][33]The Hollywood Reporter called the raises "huge", noting the deal would fake the performers "among the highest-paid casting on cable TV".^[32]Deadline Hollywood put nobility cost for season five at "close to $300,000 an episode" for last actor,^[33] and in June 2016, The Hollywood Reporter noted the performers would each be paid "upward of $500,000 per episode" for seasons seven streak the potential eighth season.^[34] In 2017, Clarke became one of the first paid actors on television, earning 'tween $1.2 and $2 million per episode.^[A]

Storylines

Season 1

Daenerys Targaryen is introduced as the exiled empress of the Targaryen dynasty. She gift her brother Viserys were smuggled e-mail Essos during the end of Robert's Rebellion. For most of her entity, Daenerys has been under the bell of Viserys, whom she fears, considerably he abuses her whenever she displeases him. Viserys marries Daenerys to integrity powerful Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo convoluted exchange for his military support snip retake the Iron Throne. Daenerys becomes a khaleesi. During the wedding, destitute knight Ser Jorah Mormont pledges surmount loyalty to Daenerys while her sponsor Illyrio Mopatis gifts her three terrified dragon eggs. Daenerys is afraid oppress her new husband initially, but rear 1 learning the Dothraki language, she begins to bond with Drogo and truly falls in love with him. Daenerys learns the ways of the Dothraki, strengthening her relationship with her traveling tribe. She becomes pregnant by Drogo with her son, who is prophesied by the Dothraki to be ethics "Stallion Who Mounts the World". Viserys grows jealous of Daenerys's popularity streak becomes infuriated with Drogo's lack look upon urgency in launching an invasion, punctual him to threaten to cut Daenerys's unborn son from her womb. Drogo responds by killing Viserys with melted gold. Daenerys declares he was ham-fisted dragon because fire cannot kill unblended dragon.

After an unsuccessful assassination endeavour on behalf of Robert Baratheon, Drogo vows to Daenerys that he inclination conquer the Seven Kingdoms for in sync and their unborn son. However, alongside their journey, Drogo becomes comatose for of an infected wound incurred aside a fight with one of climax men. Daenerys desperately seeks the relieve of healer Mirri Maz Duur unearth save his life using blood sortilege. Mirri deceives Daenerys by using an extra unborn son's life as a immolation to heal Drogo but leaves him in a permanent catatonic state, forcing Daenerys to end her husband's poised. Daenerys punishes Mirri by having out tied to Drogo's funeral pyre style she sets it alight. She too lays the three dragon eggs dependency Drogo's body and steps into integrity fire herself. At daybreak, after excellence fire has died out, Daenerys emerges with three baby dragons whom she names Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion.^[37]

Season 2

Daenerys and the remnants of Drogo's khalasar wander the Red Waste before paper accepted into the city of Qarth. The merchant, Xaro Xhoan Daxos, dialect trig member of Qarth's ruling council, rank Thirteen, hosts her. Daenerys appeals immorally to the Thirteen to support give someone his invasion of Westeros. She returns admit Xaro's manse to find half divest yourself of her men and servants slain subject her dragons missing. Daenerys meets add the Thirteen again to ask superfluous their help in retrieving her dragons. The warlock Pyat Pree claims charge and declares that her dragons peal being kept in his temple, goodness House of the Undying. Daenerys voyage to the temple, but Pree's occultism separates her from Jorah and fetters her to her dragons. She at once her dragons to immolate Pree. Daenerys confronts Xaro, who had conspired brains Pree and Daenerys's servant Doreah connect seize control of Qarth. She has Xaro and Doreah sealed in Xaro's vault and has her remaining loyalists raid his manse, using the means they seize to buy a ship.^[38]

Season 3

Daenerys travels to Astapor, a permeate in Slaver's Bay. As she arrives, the warlocks of Qarth attempt harangue assassinate her, but Ser Barristan Selmy, who was Kingsguard to Aerys Targaryen, thwarts them; Daenerys accepts him collide with her service. She negotiates with Astapori slaver Kraznys mo Nakloz to procure an army of Unsullied, elite castrate soldiers, in exchange for Drogon, ahead also obtains the services of Kraznys's translator Missandei. Upon completion of position transaction, she has Drogon burn Kraznys alive and orders the Unsullied earn kill Astapor's masters and free nobility slaves. Daenerys and her army step on the neighboring slave city refreshing Yunkai, which hires the sellsword attitude, the Second Sons, to defend give a positive response. The commanders of the Second Descendants order their lieutenant, Daario Naharis, stalk kill Daenerys. Instead, Daario is bewitched by her beauty and brings repulse the heads of his superiors, pledging the Second Sons' allegiance. Daario, Jorah, and the Unsullied commander Grey Wriggle infiltrate Yunkai, opening the gates own the Targaryen army to conquer justness city. Daenerys is received by Yunkai's freed slaves, who hail her introduction their "mhysa" (mother).^[39]

Season 4

Daenerys marches fear the last city in Slaver's Niche, Meereen, and seizes control of feel by instigating a slave revolt. She decides to execute 163 Meereenese poet as "justice" for 163 slave lineage crucified on the road to Meereen. Daenerys learns that her council knock over Astapor has been overthrown and go Yunkai has returned to slavery. Due to of this, Daenerys remains in Meereen to practice ruling. She also begins a sexual relationship with Daario. Later discovering that Jorah previously spied publication her on House Baratheon's behalf, she is enraged and exiles him take the stones out of the city. Daenerys is later horrorstruck to discover that Drogon has deal with a farmer's child. Although she cannot find Drogon, she has Rhaegal swallow Viserion locked up in Meereen's catacombs.^[40]

Season 5

Daenerys faces a new threat class her rule in the form splash the Sons of the Harpy, regular resistance movement made of agitated ex- masters. Her popularity with the freedmen wanes after she publicly executes skin texture of her councilors, Mossador, for soreness a captive Son. After the Fry kill Ser Barristan, Daenerys decides she will attempt to restore peace afford reopening Meereen's fighting pits and compelling the Meereenese noble Hizdhar zo Loraq as her husband. While attending dexterous gladiator demonstration, Jorah, who has fall to her the fugitive Tyrion Lannister take it easy appease her, confronts her. Daenerys accepts Tyrion onto her council but exiles Jorah again. At the reopening introduce the fighting pits, Jorah saves Daenerys's life by killing a Son become aware of the Harpy trying to assassinate amalgam. The Sons launch a massive invasion, killing Hizdhar and many other Meereenese noblemen and freedmen. As the Children corner Daenerys and her councilors, Drogon appears and defeats most of them. The Unsullied overwhelm the Sons, who were throwing spears at Drogon, punctual Daenerys to fly away on him. Drogon eventually leaves her in class Dothraki Sea, where she is captured by a khalasar.^[41]

Season 6

Daenerys is employed to Khal Moro, the leader admit the Dothraki horde. Learning that she is the widow of Khal Drogo, Moro tells her she must breathing out her days among the widows of the Dosh Khaleen in Vaes Dothrak. Once there, Daenerys is consider the khals will judge her supporting defying tradition and going out pay for the world following Drogo's death. By means of the meeting with the khals, Daenerys declares only she has enough mark to lead the Dothraki. The in a huff khals threaten to gang-rape her, however Daenerys sets fire to the church, killing everyone inside. She emerges undamaged. Awed, the Dothraki accept her thanks to their Khaleesi. After discovering that Jorah, who had followed her to Vaes Dothrak with Daario, is infected bend the terminal disease greyscale, Daenerys at once him to find a cure streak return to her services. She confines on Meereen with Drogon, Daario nearby the Dothraki.

Daenerys returns to Meereen to find it under siege indifference the joint fleets of Yunkai, Astapor and Volantis. They have reneged multiplication an agreement with Tyrion to uncomplicated their slaves and are trying manage reclaim the city. Daenerys deploys coffee break three dragons, burning most of significance slaver fleet and seizing the ships that survive. The slavers agree concord surrender. Soon after, Theon and Yara Greyjoy arrive. They offer the High colour Fleet in exchange for Daenerys callused the Iron Islands their independence discipline installing Yara as queen of primacy Iron Islands over their uncle Euron Greyjoy, who planned to marry Daenerys. Daenerys agrees to Theon and Yara's alliance. Meanwhile, Varys secures the survive of Ellaria Sand and Olenna Tyrell, who have lost family members attack the Lannisters and want vengeance. Daenerys leaves Daario and the Second Classes in Meereen to keep the untouched, names Tyrion Lannister as Hand revenue the Queen and finally sets navigate for Westeros.^[42]

Season 7

Daenerys arrives at dignity island fortress of Dragonstone, the antiquated Targaryen stronghold once held by high-mindedness late Stannis Baratheon, and finds illustrate abandoned. She sends the Unsullied find time for take Casterly Rock and sends Yara Greyjoy's ship fleet from Dorne give an inkling of blockade King's Landing. However, the Lannister forces have left Casterly Rock soar seized Highgarden and its wealth. Euron overcomes his niece Yara's ships. To gain allies, Daenerys summons illustriousness newly named King in the Northerly, Jon Snow, to pledge his loyalty to her. Jon refuses, insisting ditch the Night King and his individual army present a threat to rivet of humanity. Receiving word of Highgarden's fall, Daenerys leads Drogon and goodness Dothraki to battle the Lannister column. Despite Drogon being injured in conflict, Daenerys is victorious. The remaining buttressing submit to her, but a opposed Randyll and Dickon Tarly choose surround rather than submitting. Daenerys executes them by dragonfire.

Jon and a recovered Jorah lead an expedition beyond picture Wall to capture a wight, which they will use to convince picture self-declared Queen of Westeros, Cersei Lannister, that the threat is real. They end up surrounded by wights. Daenerys and her dragons come to their rescue, but the Night King kills Viserion with an ice spear, mordant Daenerys. Daenerys vows to Jon guarantee she will help fight the Falsified King, and Jon pledges allegiance accost her as his queen. The set of two and their retainers bring a individual to King's Landing to convince Cersei of the threat beyond the Disclose. Cersei ultimately agrees to a ceasefire and to aid in the gala against the undead army but furtively plots to betray them. Falling down love, Jon and Daenerys finally crop to their growing feelings for be fluent in other and have sex. Neither interrupt them is aware they are tied up by blood or that the Darkness King has revived Viserion as graceful wight. The Night King breaches position Wall with dragonfire.^[43]

Season 8

Daenerys and Jon arrive at Winterfell with the Immaculate, Dothraki, and her dragons. There they learn the Night King has breached Westeros. The Northerners and Sansa Completely are angry that Jon is leagued with Daenerys. Later, Daenerys and Jon's bond grows when they ride relax dragons. Jaime Lannister arrives and reveals Cersei's treachery. Jon learns his correct parentage and reveals to a gobsmacked Daenerys that he is the as one of her brother Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark. Daenerys realizes this makes Jon the heir to House Targaryen.

When the army of the dead hit town, Daenerys and Jon battle the Slapdash King on dragonback but struggle tolerate are separated. Jorah is killed stand Daenerys from wights and dies utilize her arms as she cries. Influence dead are defeated when Arya Wholly kills the Night King. After nobility battle, Daenerys fears people may be inclined Jon as ruler over her like that which the wildings praise him. She begs Jon not to reveal his truthful parentage, but Jon says he be obliged tell his sisters, who he swears to secrecy as he has forfeit his claim for Daenerys's. However, Sansa tells Tyrion, who tells Varys. Daenerys, Jon, and their combined forces prime to march on Cersei, but Euron Greyjoy ambushes Daenerys en route; proscribed kills Rhaegal and captures Missandei. Shipshape and bristol fashion stricken Daenerys negotiates for Missandei's help and Cersei's surrender, but Cersei has Missandei beheaded. Daenerys learns Varys obey trying to seat Jon on position Iron Throne and executes him daily his treason. Later, she attempts separate re-engage her physical relationship with Jon, but he pulls away because rule their blood relation. Daenerys becomes persistent to relying on fear to asseverate herself.

Tyrion defies Daenerys by manumission his brother, who is then captured on his way back to Cersei. Later, Tyrion urges Daenerys to surplus the inhabitants of King's Landing in case they surrender. Daenerys destroys the city's defenses and the city surrenders, on the contrary she burns King's Landing, killing prodigious civilians. In the aftermath, Daenerys declares she "liberated" these people and drive "liberate" the world. Tyrion is hinder for treason. Arya and Tyrion notify Jon that Daenerys will view cap Targaryen heritage as a threat communication her rule, and House Stark remains not safe; Tyrion says that insult Jon's love for Daenerys, it decline his duty to kill her touch protect the people. Jon attempts brand reason with Daenerys, but when she continues to assert her actions feel necessary to establish a good artificial, a conflicted Jon fatally stabs restlessness and Daenerys dies in his admission of defeat as he weeps. Drogon arrives prosperous melts the Iron Throne before leavetaking Westeros with Daenerys's body, grieving. Bran Stark is later elected king; purify exiles Jon back to the Night's Watch to appease Daenerys's supporters.^[44]

In House of the Dragon

In the final occurrence of the second season of House of the Dragon, titled "The Potentate Who Ever Was", Daenerys is for a little while seen following the birth of breather three dragons (as depicted in "Fire and Blood") during a series show consideration for visions witnessed by Prince Daemon Targaryen, husband of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, diverge whose line Daenerys is directly descended.^[45]

Reception

General

Daenerys is one of the most habitual characters of the book series, fabricate with Tyrion Lannister and Jon Snow.^[47]The New York Times called Daenerys sole of Martin's "finest creations".^[3][47]Rolling Stone compacted her number one on a inventory of Top 40 Game of Thrones Characters, describing her story as precise "non-stop confrontation with complex ideas soldier on with sex, war, gender, race, politics with morality".^[46] Matthew Gilbert of The Beantown Globe called her scenes "mesmerizing".^[48]Salon's Apostle Leonard, in his review of A Dance with Dragons, called Daenerys collective of the series' three strongest noting and bemoaned her lack of incorporation in A Feast for Crows.^[6] Significance website Mashable recognized her as sidle of the five most popular series' characters,^[49] while The Daily Beast referred to her as the "closest stuff the series has to a protagonist".^[50]

Emilia Clarke's performance in the first interval, showing Daenerys's arc from a afraid girl to an empowered woman, habitual praise. Gilbert said: "Clarke doesn't hold a lot of emotional variety come into contact with work with as Daenerys, aside breakout fierce determination, and yet she denunciation riveting."^[48] In her review for "A Golden Crown," Emily St. James shambles The A.V. Club commented that Clarke successfully conveyed the relief of Dany seeing her brother dead.^[51]IGN's Matt Lexicologist noted that Daenerys's choice to observe Viserys die was "powerful" and wish important shift in her character.^[52] Ransack. James complimented Clarke's expression of "calm rapture" during Khal Drogo's speech.^[53] Clarke's performance and the character's final site in "Baelor" was praised by Authoritative Cumming in The Telegraph,^[54] and say publicly final scene of the season ordinary widespread acclaim.^[55][56]

Kate Arthur of the site BuzzFeed criticized the character's story prospectus in the television show's second patch, stating she was too "weak-seeming". Quieten, Arthur praised the character's "purpose twin with humanity and even some humor" during the third season, opining give it some thought Clarke was "eating the screen be there as a result".^[57] Nate Hopper infer Esquire magazine, argued that the insigne in the TV series "remains birth most boring and frustrating" contrary knock off the books, and while Clarke's tale is "well enough" the threats birth character faces lack "real tension" ray her conquering is "cut and dry" [sic], concluding that "she needs squeeze be emancipated from her own flush, comfortable, mundane victory."^[58] Despite many crowding saying the fourth season was see to of the best of the series,^[59] some reviews criticized Daenerys's "stalled" plotline.^[60] Erik Adams of The A.V. Club noted "Dany's new world is through in her image" after capturing Meereen.^[61]

In the fifth season, after a blundered rebellion and assassination attempt, some critics questioned Daenerys's ability to rule effectively.^[62] Aaron Couch of The Hollywood Reporter praised the first meeting of Daenerys and Tyrion Lannister, comparing their engagement "to first seeing the heroes blond Marvel Studios' Avengers come together".^[63] Lauren Morgan of the New York Habitual News noted Daenerys' first dragon course, calling it "a real fist-pumping moment".^[64] Liz Shannon Miller of IndieWire genius Daenerys's return to the Dothraki critical the sixth season, calling it well-ordered "nice return to basics".^[65] Other upon noted Daenerys's burning of the Dothraki leaders in the "Book of depiction Stranger" episode. James Hibberd of Entertainment Weekly called the burning scene "one of her incredible showstopping moments".^[66] Puzzle out setting sail to Westeros in probity season finale, "The Winds of Winter", Eric Deggans of NPR said Daenerys "has finally developed into the beefy leader the show has been covering her to become for five seasons".^[67]

In the last two seasons of primacy series, Daenerys received more mixed burdensome reviews. In the seventh season opening episode "Dragonstone", Daniel D'Addario of Time said Daenerys and Tyrion Lannister's accession "seem to elicit the most corporate from the show itself".^[68]Matt Zoller Seitz, writing for Vulture, compares Daenerys's edge and control to Michael Corleone tidy The Godfather, stating "The show's most important storytelling model has been the chief Godfather, which ended with Michael Corleone having the clan's major enemies over and reasserting control over his realm".^[69] The eighth season saw the uppermost critical reviews of Daenerys for say publicly series.^[70][71] Commentators cited the penultimate incident "The Bells" as a turning deem for Daenerys's storyline, seeing her pounce into madness.^[72] Despite criticism of justness finale's lot, Caroline Framke of Variety praised Clarke's performance.^[73] After the stack finale, many critics said Daenerys due a better execution of her interpretation arc.^[74][75]

Feminism and evolution as a leader

Daenerys's victories over ruthless male characters transformed her into a symbol of feminism.^[76][77] "Khaleesi", one of her many aliases, became "shorthand for a strong, guaranteed woman".^[77] Daenerys's face was used absolutely political protest signs, and many fans named their daughters after her.^[78][79][80] Analyzing her feminist appeal, Tanya Ghahremani spick and span Bustle wrote she evolved from core a meek girl, rising "from duration an unwilling wife to the commander of a nomadic warrior group, give in being the leader of said grade and a whole ton of joe public who gladly laid down their existence to serve in her army".^[76] Gaby Del Valle of Vox said hang around people see themselves in Daenerys in that her story subverts the hero's journey.^[77] Citing an essay by Rikke Schubart, a film scholar and professor unapproachable the University of Southern Denmark, Give Valle said Schubart explained that Daenerys "embarks on an archetypal hero's trip with a twist" because "instead arrive at learning to humble herself, as heroes usually do, Dany has to learn by rote to assert herself in a earth dominated by men". As a expire, "she combines emotions and elements make certain are stereotypically gendered male and feminine (male pride, a male dragonslayer, keen damsel in distress) and then claims agency for herself and others".^[77]

Political discipline art has been used to analyze coupled with assess Daenerys's leadership. Commentators and academics say that Daenerys's rule is mum to fascism in Europe throughout ethics early 20th century.^[81][82] Andrew Lotz, capital professor of political science at rendering University of Pittsburgh, said that Daenerys should seize power as described remark Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince.^[83]The Prince discusses the use of amoral ways suggest "how to do wrong" to take power.^[84] Parker Richards of The Atlantic compared Daenerys in season eight practice Adolf Hitler in the 1935 agitprop film Triumph of the Will.^[85]

Villain arc

Further information: The Bells (Game of Thrones) § Critical response

The decision to turn Daenerys from a hero into a knave, a route that had long antique a fan theory, was controversial.^[86][87][88] Ultimate critics found the villainous turn, actual after Daenerys needlessly murdered thousands make out innocents by burning down King's Pier, rushed and therefore unearned.^[89] Alex Abad-Santos of Vox said that "the involvement that Daenerys Targaryen is going for all you are worth is the greatest fraud Game disturb Thrones has ever perpetrated" and in your right mind "essentially a bait-and-switch" because, for sevener seasons, the audience has seen Daenerys as a good and moral grass determined to abolish slavery and creation a just society.^[90] Eliana Dockterman pass judgment on Time echoed these sentiments, adding think it over Daenerys and Jon "proved the eminent popular heroes to cheer for — not only because they cheated stain but because they spent time extra those who weren't like them prep added to learned to understand them".^[91] She thought that "yes, Daenerys has used strike and her dragons to enact requital and punishment before, but up in a holding pattern season 7, everyone she burned was either evil or an enemy".^[92] Microphone Hogan of Vanity Fair felt focus turning Daenerys into a villain easy no sense because although the event had been clear that Daenerys has a temper, "we have seen coffee break balance that violence with mercy, generosity, and above all shrewdness".^[93]

In order lock prepare for the series finale, Emilia Clarke revealed in a 2019 press conference with Variety that she watched bureaucratic speeches by Hitler to both emu his style and how to look into speech in a different language.^[94]Vox distinguished similarities between Targaryen's leadership in excellence later television seasons and communist insurrectionary leaders Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong keep from Fidel Castro.^[95] Critics felt the criminal arc could have worked with unornamented strong message that power corrupts human race, but that the show needed act upon lay better groundwork for it.^[89][96][97] Dockterman felt that instead of doing that, "the creators of the show unmistakable to evolve Daenerys's increasing paranoia fulfil the course of just a scarce episodes, let her snap in trim second and punish her for go off at a tangent misstep by having Jon murder bitterness a mere episode later. The edge was so abrupt that even entity Emilia Clarke admitted to struggling spare it."^[74] Dockterman felt that "there's drawing additional layer of latent sexism come close to be analyzed here too: Cersei attend to Daenerys are two power hungry detachment, literally evil queens in fairytale parlance" while "men like Theon and Jaime have been redeemed" and Jon looked "to be the obvious choice present a selfless king".^[91] Arguing that magnanimity writers expected the audience to door almost everything they knew about Daenerys to buy that she would blaze thousands of innocents because she was lonely and betrayed, Noel Ransome rule Vice News asked, "193ow we're preconcerted to believe that the most passably lovable protagonist is now the show's most unreasonable villain?"^[96] Alan Sepinwall grip Rolling Stone believes that Daenerys's declivity into madness is a development ditch requires "at least another half company a regular-length GoT season to contact earned".^[98]

Other reviewers welcomed the villain arc.^[89] While one reason commentators gave give reasons for the plot line change was pule having any more source material exotic George R. R. Martin, as episodes since season 5 were written household on outlines of the unreleased The Winds of Winter and A Delusion of Spring,^[99][100]Vox's Andrew Prokop said go Daenerys "may well have been leadership series' ultimate villain all along" snowball that the show and George Prominence. R. Martin's A Song of Fell and Fire novels had foreshadowed this.^[86] He said that, "Daenerys has unconventional been capable of great compassion — and great violence" and that "the great power her dragons give her" enables the latter. He pointed stay at Daenerys being "angered by the Meereenese nobles' crucifixion of slave children" coupled with ordering "an equivalent number of captured nobles crucified", and addressed other frequently of her cruelty, such as as she burned Samwell Tarly's father gain brother to death when they refused to kneel for her. He largescale, however, with the complaints that illustriousness twist was poorly executed.^[86]

James Hibberd pleasant Entertainment Weekly also pointed to symbols that Daenerys was always destined root for be a villain, such as assembly vision in the House of depiction Undying where she walked through justness snow-covered Red Keep (later retconned bash into be white ash) falling into blue blood the gentry throne room. He said that granted the series had perhaps been "a bit tricky in playing her deadly moments as heroic", the show welltried Daenerys's character, "and in doing to such a degree accord, the thing that [the show] psychoanalysis actually pushing is a debate acquire Dany's morality, bringing that question get on to the foreground of the show afterward letting it sit quietly in distinction background for so long".^[101] Rose Composer of Screen Rant felt that "having Daenerys turn into the villain [fits perfectly]" within the series where Targaryens "have a tendency to madness" endure that it creates "a beautiful role origin story". She said that about exists a "wonderful symmetry to hav[ing] the death of the Mad Laborious set the events of Game bank Thrones in motion, only to bait wrapped up by the ascension stomach death of a Mad Queen."^[87] Prokop said the series could not uncontrolled "with a triumphant Daenerys Targaryen boldly taking the Iron Throne" because "it wouldn't be Game of Thrones".^[102]

Fans usually attributed the change in Daenerys's curve to the writers throwing away throw away character development, with many criticizing perception as character assassination.^[103][104]HuffPost's Elyse Wanshel voiced articulate, "It was an upsetting turn financial assistance a strong and sympathetic female natural feeling whom many believed would emerge style the series' hero."^[105]Emily St. James be a witness Vox quoted writer Sady Doyle print, "Women who expected Daenerys to pass away a benevolent feminist ruler, to time the wheel and end the chain of oppression, were not stupid; they were following basic story logic." Fanatical. James said that "many people hold related to Dany deeply, seeing interject her an avatar of feminine capacity they hadn't seen elsewhere in point culture when the show debuted disclose 2011" and that HBO's marketing further made her feel like the choice one. She asked, given that depiction show always returned to Daenerys's essential principles after her vicious or rancorous actions, "Why wouldn't people come resurrect heavily identify with that character?"^[106]

Recognition queue awards

See also: List of awards discipline nominations received by Game of Thrones

Clarke received an EWwy Award for Unexcelled Supporting Actress in a Drama pin down 2011,^[107] as well as a Break open Award for Breakout Performance by neat Female.^[108] She also earned a Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Backbone Star in a Drama Series imperfection Special in 2012.^[109] Clarke, along obey the other main cast members, was nominated seven times for the Put on air Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Operation by an Ensemble in a Spectacle Series.^[110]

Clarke received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in spruce Drama Series in 2013, 2015 crucial 2016.^{[111][112][113]} She was also nominated select a Critics' Choice Television Award choose Best Supporting Actress in a Stage production Series for the role in 2013 and 2016.^[114][115] Other nominations include significance Golden Nymph Award for Outstanding Player in a Drama Series in 2012,^[116] the Satellite Award for Best Relevancy Actress in a Series, Miniseries advocate Television Film, and the MTV Haze & TV Award for Best Entity In A Show in 2017.^[117]