Mythic Jaime and Brienne

The Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth relationship was not part of George RR Martin’s original
outline for A Song of Ice and Fire, and their treatment on the TV show A Game of Thrones treats
them as secondary characters and cut out most of their connection to one another after season four.
Yet through A Storm of Swords, and in particular A Feast for Crows, Jaime and Brienne start taking a
place in the story that transfigures the narrative around them and begins to resonate with the much
larger mythos Martin has set out. In this essay I will set out an argument that Jaime and Brienne,
and their relationship has provided Martin with a key opportunity to explore mythical figures and
the mythical ideas that underpin A Song of Ice and Fire, and through suggest that their role has
become vital to the end of Martin’s Saga.

What are the big themes of ASOIAF

Firstly, if this essay is to discuss the role of Jaime and Brienne in exploring and developing Martin’s
mythology we must discuss and define those ideas and terms that permeate A Song of Ice and Fire.

a. Duality

The most obvious mythical theme is that of duality, encompassed in the very title of the work. Fire
and Ice is not the only duality, light and dark, man and woman, war and peace, love and hate, R’hllor
and the Great Other. The idea of duelling ideas, seeking to force a binary conflict exist throughout
the work.

b. Coming together

Just as important to Martin is bringing together the dualities seemingly at war. Be it the suggestion
that Jon Snow is in reality bringing together Stark Ice and Targaryen Fire, or the mythical emperors
of the Empire of the Dawn born of the Lion of Night and Maiden Made of Light, the union between
opposites is vital.

c. Star and moons

d. Sacrifice
e. Prophecy
f. Azor Ahai
g. Fiery swords
h. Repetition

Jaime

a. Big themes Lion, Dressed in White, Sword, the Maiden, fire, negligent father, usurpation,
justice, Golden
b. Smaller themes, weirdwood, crows, banditry

Is he a sun king?
Brienne

a. Big themes Galladon, blue, Moon and Stars, the warrior, fiery swords, adoptive mother,
honour, Tarth -Morne, Evenstar
b. Smaller themes, crows, weirdwoods, banditry

Maiden of night? Lightbringer or evenstar?

Together

a. Galladon and the Maiden

a. As Azor Ahai?
b. Knight and maiden
b. Twin swords reforged
c. Battles against the others
d. Destiny
e. The other dualities – not Ice and fire, but man and woman, night and day, red and blue

Mythic Jaime and Brienne

1. Introduction
a. ASOIAF as a cyclical story
b. Jaime and Brienne a later idea that reverberates
c. A Fairy story?
d. What can we tell about the future?
e. The Legend
2. Written in the Stars
a.
3. The Coming Together of Opposites
4. Fiery Swords
5. The Perfect Knight and the Maid
6. Azor Ahai