Though George R. R. Martin has expressed his love for literature, fantasy, science fiction, and comics, many of his fans have expressed dissatisfaction with his slow-paced writing. George’s most successful series, A Song of Ice and Fire, is yet to be completed. Many fans wonder if they will ever see the last novel of George’s epic fantasy.
Heroes and Villains
Nobody is a villain in their own story. We’re all the heroes of our own stories.
In most of his novels, George tells tales that blur the line between heroism and villainy. His stories challenge the concept of heroes and villains. They show how even heroes who believe in truth and justice die at the hands of villains who do not play by the rules. An example is Eddard Stark, a man whose overwhelming sense of honor led him to death.
I prefer to work with grey characters rather than black and white.
The quote above is a statement made by George R. R. Martin concerning the characters he creates. According to him, he preferred writing grey characters, characters that were human and not purely good or evil. He explained that writing grey characters made his stories realistic as they are more relatable.
It’s really irritating when you open a book, and 10 pages into it you know that the hero you met on page one or two is gonna come through unscathed, because he’s the hero. This is completely unreal, and I don’t like it.
The quote above is a statement George makes about heroes. He states that stories that place one character above others are not authentic as they give special treatment. George enjoys putting his primary heroes through intense dilemmas and even making some of them get killed because of the fault in their decision-making.
Fear
The man who fears losing has already lost.
The quote above explains the concept of losing because of fear. George pointed out that bravery can only exist when there is fear, but if one allows fear to overshadow their mind, they are bound to lose.
When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.
The quote above talks about fear of the truth. It explains that when one fears the truth, they will try whatever means they have in their reach to avoid it. The truth is a bitter poison to a liar who feels powerful and on top of the world.
The only time a man can be brave is when he is afraid.
George uses the quote above to talk about fear and bravery. He explains through this quote that valor only exists when there is fear. It will not exist if one gets not scared of the path they are about to take and the decisions they are about to make.
Death
What is dead may never die, but rises again, stronger and harder.
The quote above is a saying that talks about belief. In A Song of Ice and fire, it was customary to recite the word above when a man of the Night’s Watch bit the dust. The statement reassures those alive that their courage will never go unsung in death.
Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities.
The quote above talks about the finality of death. It explains that death is the most dreaded entity as it ends everything, including hopes, dreams, and achievements.
Bravery
Kill the boy, Jon Snow. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy and let the man be born.
When Jon Snow left Winterfell for the Night’s Watch, he was only but a boy. However, he learns to become a man, a commander, who leads his men to war, protecting the realm. George uses the quote to talk about bravery as it explains that one needs to conquer what holds them back.
I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men.
The quote above is part of an oath the men of the Night’s Watch take. They take the oat and become men who stand at the frontline of the real, they defend the kingdom with braver, and even if the journey gets rough or the world goes cold, they still stand at the frontline with no wives, no love, only honor, duty, and bravery.
There’s no shame in fear, my father told me, what matters is how we face it.
It is natural to get scared, but what makes one brave is how one handles situations amidst fear. The quote above explains that fear is natural, but when one faces it and withers through the storm, they are brave.
Glory
The brightest flame casts the darkest shadow.
The quote above talks about the concept of glory. It explains that the higher one aspires to get, the greater the intensity of downfall and the more sacrifice they will have to make. It describes success and glory as a flame; the brighter it shines, the darker it casts shadows that blacken everything under its grasp.
Multiple Choices
Different roads sometimes lead to the same castle.
The quote above talks about the concept of individuality. It explains that the goal can get achieved in different ways. It explains that everyone may take a method and path to get the same result, but the journeys, though unique, end at the same point.
Flaws and Strength
Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.
The quote above talks about self-acceptance. It talks about one accepting that they are not perfect and they have flaws that they have to admit. It goes further to say that the moment one accepts their weakness and flaws, they can improve and make those flaws become a weapon that will protect them in the darkest situations.
Revenge
I will hurt you for this. I don’t know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you’ll know the debt is paid.
Revenge is best when served cold. The quote above talks about the concept of revenge and explains that when one swears revenge, they wait for the most vulnerable time to strike their enemy, destroying everything the enemy has worked hard to achieve.
Life Has Never Been a Bed of Roses
There are no happy endings.
Many people love happy endings because it shows that the good guys win and the bad guys receive justice. However, the quote above explains that there are no happy endings ever. What we fantasize about as a happy ending is just the conclusion of a story of pain, betrayal, hatred, and destruction. Even though the hero gets the last laugh, it gets covered by the tears of the loss.
Failure
Every man should lose a battle in his youth, so he does not lose a war when he is old.
One must prepare themselves for failure. The quote above explains that failure prepares one for future battles. It explains that it is a necessity for youth.
The Truth
People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it’s served up.
The truth is a bitter pill that is hard to swallow. The quote above talks about the double-faced nature of people who lie about wanting reality. It explains that the people who claim to love the truth hate it when they realize it does not care about denomination or class.
One Step Ahead
Always keep your foes confused. If they are never certain who you are or what you want, they cannot know what you are likely to do next.
The quote above explains that the best way to keep one’s foes behind is to become as formless as water. It explains that confusion is a tool against one’s enemies as it makes them trail behind, uncertain of one’s next move.
Love
Love is madness, and lust is poison.
The quote above talks about love and lust. It states that though love is a beautiful feeling, it can lead one to take action against their humanity. The quote also explains that lust is poison to the mind as it makes one become the worst version of themselves if not controlled.
Of all the bright cruel lies they tell you, the cruelest is the one called love.
The quote above describes love as a lie that makes one make decisions rashly. It explains that love blinds one from seeing the truth, and by the time the lie fades, it leaves an emptiness that may drag one down a dark path.
Deception
The ones who look the most suspicious are likely innocent. It’s the ones who look innocent I need to beware.
Deception can lead to a person’s fall. The quote above talks about how one has to be wary of those they believe. From the statement, a deceptive person appears innocent because they create a façade showing guilt and remorse.
A Future
The grey sheep have closed their eyes, but the mastiff sees the truth. Old powers waken. Shadows stir. An age of wonder and terror will soon be upon us, an age for gods and heroes.
The quote above talks about the future. It talks about an age where great powers rise and fall. The statement above comes from Martin’s epic series, A Song of Ice and fire.
The Nature of the World
This world is twisted beyond hope, when lowborn smugglers must vouch for the honor of kings.
The quote above is a statement made in A Song of Ice and Fire. It showed that Westeros had a power imbalance, and its world was chaotic. Westeros’s chaos can be likened to the real world, as it is what defines humanity’s existence.
Politics
Politicians were mostly people who’d had too little morals and ethics to stay lawyers.
George had a unique view of politics. He dislikes some of the decisions politicians make; this made him reject fighting in the Vietnam War. George’s take on politics and society heavily influenced the creation of A Song of Ice and Fire.
FAQs
What are some of George R. R. Martin’s political views?
George R. R. Martin has always tried to remove himself from politics. He stated that as he grew up, he got radicalized and became an antiwar advocate; this made him refuse to fight in the Vietnam War.
What are some of George R. R. Martin’s quotes?
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
“Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word.”
“The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.”
What would have happened if Harry Potter had been written by George R. R. Martin?
If ‘Harry Potter‘ was written by George R. R. Martin, there would be a significant increase in character development and worldbuilding. The first thing that will happen is that Hogwarts will get intertwined with the politics of the real world. Other wizard schools will also have characters and issues. Voldemort will become one of many villains, but the main villain will be the politics between the outside world and the magic world.
Who are the best characters of Game of Thrones?
There are many fan favorites in Game of Thrones. However, the most loved are Arya Stark, Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Sansa Stark, Samwell Tarly of Horn, Jorah Mormont, Ned Stark, Bran Stark, Lord Varys, Sandor Clegane, Tormund Giantsbane, Jaime Lannister, and Sansa Stark.
