In the season 5 finale, “Mother’s Mercy,” Arya Stark murders Ser Meryn Trant in Braavos. This act of brutal revenge is a direct response to Trant’s role in the deaths of Arya’s dancing instructor, Syrio Forel, and for his participation in the events leading to the death of her father, Ned Stark.
The Bloody Culmination of Revenge
Season 5 of Game of Thrones saw Arya Stark deeply immersed in her training with the Faceless Men at the House of Black and White. She sought to become “no one,” a blank slate capable of shedding identities at will to become the perfect assassin. However, the embers of her past—the fiery hatred for those who wronged her family—continued to burn bright. Episode 10, “Mother’s Mercy,” became the stage for a devastating act of personal vengeance that directly contradicted the Faceless Men’s teachings.
Arya, initially tasked with assassinating an insurance salesman named “The Thin Man,” deviates from her mission when she spots Ser Meryn Trant, a knight of the Kingsguard and a name long etched on her kill list. Trant, known for his brutality and penchant for abusing young girls, is in Braavos. Seeing him triggers an uncontrollable rage in Arya.
Discarding her assigned task, Arya uses her skills in disguise, acquired through her Faceless Men training, to infiltrate the brothel where Trant is indulging his depraved desires. She assumes the identity of a young girl and approaches him, before revealing her true self and unleashing a brutal, calculated attack. Arya systematically disables Trant, stabbing him repeatedly, and finally slits his throat, ending his life and crossing him off her ever-present list. The scene is both cathartic for the audience, witnessing the long-awaited justice, and deeply disturbing, highlighting the darkness Arya has embraced.
The Consequences of Disobedience
Arya’s act of personal vengeance has immediate and profound consequences. Jaqen H’ghar, seeing Arya’s blatant disregard for the Faceless Men’s rules and her inability to truly shed her identity, punishes her. He reveals that she has taken a life from the Many-Faced God, a debt that must be repaid. Arya is then rendered blind, a harsh consequence designed to strip her of her senses and force her to truly become “no one.” This blindness marks a turning point in Arya’s journey, forcing her to rely on other skills and to confront the darkness within herself.
FAQs: Deep Diving into Arya’s Revenge
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Arya’s actions in Season 5, Episode 10:
What was Meryn Trant’s role in the Stark family’s downfall?
Meryn Trant was a key player in the corruption of King’s Landing under Joffrey Baratheon. He was present during the execution of Ned Stark, although he did not deliver the killing blow. More significantly, he was a cruel and sadistic man who abused his position, adding him to Arya’s list for his overall cruelty and association with the Lannisters.
How did Arya find Meryn Trant in Braavos?
This is one of the show’s somewhat convenient plot points. While the exact mechanics are not explicitly shown, it is implied that Arya’s constant vigilance and acute observation skills, honed over years of survival, allowed her to recognize Trant in a public place. Braavos is a bustling city, and Arya, being a skilled observer, could have tracked his movements and discovered his preferred haunts.
Why did Arya choose such a brutal method of killing him?
The brutality of Arya’s attack on Meryn Trant is a reflection of her accumulated rage and the years of trauma she has endured. She witnessed unspeakable horrors and experienced firsthand the cruelty of the world. The viciousness of the act is not just about revenge, but about expressing the depth of her pain and frustration.
Was Arya justified in killing Meryn Trant?
This is a complex moral question. While Trant was undoubtedly a reprehensible character, Arya’s actions directly violated the principles of the Faceless Men, who are meant to be impartial instruments of death. Whether her personal vengeance justifies breaking those rules is a matter of perspective and highlights the moral ambiguity prevalent in Game of Thrones.
How did Jaqen H’ghar know about Arya’s actions?
Jaqen H’ghar and the Faceless Men likely have a network of informants or a system of surveillance that allows them to monitor the activities of their acolytes. Furthermore, Arya’s act was likely too public and noticeable to go unnoticed. The Faceless Men prize anonymity and adherence to their code above all else, making Arya’s flamboyant display a blatant transgression.
What was the significance of Arya going blind?
Arya’s blindness serves as a punishment and a crucible. It forces her to rely on her other senses, particularly hearing and touch, and to hone her instincts. It is a painful but necessary step in her training, designed to strip away her ego and force her to truly become “no one.” It is a test of her resilience and her commitment to the Faceless Men’s path.
Did Arya ever regret killing Meryn Trant?
The show does not explicitly state whether Arya regrets her actions, but it is implied that she grapples with the consequences. Her subsequent training and trials suggest that she is forced to confront the morality of her choices and the price of vengeance. While she may not regret eliminating Trant from the world, she certainly understands the ramifications of her disobedience.
How did Arya’s blindness affect her fighting abilities?
Surprisingly, Arya’s blindness ultimately enhanced her fighting abilities. She learns to fight without relying on sight, developing a heightened awareness of her surroundings and an almost precognitive ability to anticipate her opponent’s moves. This is thanks to her training with the Waif, who uses her blindness to force her to rely on other senses.
Was Meryn Trant a book character?
Yes, Meryn Trant appears in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. His characterization is largely consistent with his portrayal in the HBO adaptation, a cruel and sadistic knight loyal to the Lannisters. His eventual fate in the books, however, differs from the show.
What alternative could Arya have taken that followed the rules of the Faceless Men?
The “correct” course of action, according to the Faceless Men, would have been for Arya to complete her assigned task of assassinating the Thin Man and then report Trant’s presence to the House of Black and White. The Faceless Men, with their resources, could have then dispatched someone to eliminate Trant anonymously, maintaining their impartiality. This approach would have fulfilled their contract and upheld their principles.
How long was Arya blind?
Arya remains blind throughout Season 6. Her sight is eventually restored after she defeats the Waif and proves her commitment to the Faceless Men, although her ultimate decision to leave the House of Black and White suggests that she never fully embraced their philosophy.
Did Arya’s training with the Faceless Men ultimately make her a better fighter?
Unquestionably, Arya’s training with the Faceless Men significantly enhanced her fighting prowess. She learned advanced combat techniques, stealth skills, disguise tactics, and even acquired a certain degree of detachment that allowed her to make calculated decisions in battle. This training, combined with her innate resilience and determination, transformed her into a formidable warrior, far surpassing her initial capabilities.