A-song-of-ice-and-fire Quote by George R.R. Martin
““In Sunspear hung a portrait of the Princess Daenerys who had come to Dorne to marry one of Arianne's forebears. In her younger days Arianne had spent hours gazing at it, back when she was just a pudgy flat-chested girl on the cusp of maidenhood who prayed every night for the gods to make her pretty. A hundred years ago, Daenerys Targaryen came to Dorne to make a peace. Now another comes to make a war, and my brother will be her king and consort. King Quentyn. Why did that sound so silly?””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Dance with Dragons, George R.R. Martin, 2011
A character reflects on how political marriages shift from peace to war, highlighting the absurdity of destiny and power.
In simple terms: Political marriages can become absurd over time.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind alliances.
Themes
politics
power
destiny
absurdity
Mood
reflective
ironic
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- court intrigue
- historical analysis
- character study
Key Concepts
marriage alliances
royal succession
war
peace
family dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal desires clash with political expectations?
- When does a marriage become a tool of war?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes all marriages are strategic, ignoring personal agency.
![“Arya did not dare [take a bath], even though she smelled as bad as Yoren by now, all sour and stinky. Some of the creatures living in her clothes had come all the way from Flea Bottom with her; it didn’t seem right to drown them.” quote by George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df4/george-r-r-martin-48_a-clash-of-kings_arya-did-not-dare-take-a-bath-even-thoug_597734.jpg)
