Daenerys Targaryen’s final words in “The Iron Throne” are, primarily, a desperate, pleading question: “Did I get it right? Did I do it right?” This poignant query, directed at Jon Snow, encapsulates her unwavering belief in her actions, even in the face of betrayal and imminent death.
A Queen’s Last Plea: Understanding Daenerys’s Final Dialogue
Daenerys’s dialogue in the moments leading up to her death is a complex mix of conviction, vulnerability, and regret. After delivering a victory speech to her Unsullied and Dothraki forces, promising them further liberation across the world, she confronts Jon about his betrayal. While the exact phrasing is crucial to understanding her state of mind, it’s not just what she says, but how she says it, that truly matters.
Her final words, whispered in a mix of Valyrian and Common Tongue, are a culmination of years of striving for power and a tragically misplaced faith in her own righteousness. “Did I get it right? Did I do it right?” isn’t just a question of conquest; it’s a plea for validation. It’s a desperate attempt to reconcile the immense suffering she caused with the noble intentions she always believed she held.
Analyzing the Context: What Led to This Moment?
To fully grasp the weight of Daenerys’s last words, we must consider the events that led her to that fateful throne room.
The Burning of King’s Landing
The pivotal moment, the point of no return, was undeniably the burning of King’s Landing. This act of indiscriminate violence, despite the city’s surrender, shattered the image of the benevolent queen she strived to project. This devastation directly contradicts her stated goal of liberating the people, painting her as a tyrannical conqueror.
The Betrayal and Jon Snow’s Dilemma
Jon Snow, torn between his love for Daenerys and his loyalty to the North and his own sense of morality, faced an impossible choice. Daenerys’s declaration that “fear” was the only language people understood, coupled with her unwavering resolve to continue her conquests, forced his hand. His act of regicide, while undeniably tragic, was portrayed as a necessary evil to prevent further bloodshed.
Daenerys’s Delusions of Grandeur
Throughout the final season, Daenerys’s actions demonstrated a growing detachment from reality. She believed herself to be the only one capable of leading the world towards a better future, even if it meant imposing her will through force. This unwavering conviction, bordering on delusion, ultimately led to her downfall. Her final words are less a sign of regret and more a manifestation of her unwavering belief in her own righteousness, even when confronted with the horror she unleashed.
FAQs: Deep Diving into Daenerys’s Final Scene
Here are some frequently asked questions about Daenerys Targaryen’s last episode and her final dialogue:
FAQ 1: What language does Daenerys speak in her final scene?
Daenerys speaks primarily in Common Tongue, but she does include snippets of High Valyrian throughout the scene, particularly when addressing her Unsullied. Her final question, “Did I get it right? Did I do it right?” is spoken in Common Tongue, likely to ensure Jon understands her plea.
FAQ 2: What does “Dracarys” mean, and does she say it in the final episode?
“Dracarys” is High Valyrian for “dragonfire.” While Daenerys does not say “Dracarys” explicitly in the final episode during her confrontation with Jon, the destruction wrought by her dragonfire hangs heavily over their interaction, serving as a constant reminder of her brutality.
FAQ 3: Why did Jon Snow kill Daenerys?
Jon Snow killed Daenerys because he believed she was becoming a tyrant and posed a threat to the stability of Westeros and the world. Her refusal to show mercy, her willingness to rule through fear, and her planned conquests convinced him that she had to be stopped, even if it meant betraying their love and his oath to her.
FAQ 4: What was Daenerys’s vision for the future?
Daenerys envisioned a world liberated from tyranny, with herself as the benevolent ruler. She believed she was destined to break the wheel of power and create a more just and equitable society. However, her methods became increasingly ruthless, ultimately undermining her noble intentions. Her vision became dictatorial, not liberating.
FAQ 5: Did Daenerys regret burning King’s Landing?
The show leaves this open to interpretation. While her final words hint at a desire for validation, they don’t explicitly express regret. Her unwavering belief in her actions suggests that she justified the burning of King’s Landing as a necessary step towards achieving her ultimate goal, even if it was a morally reprehensible one. She displays a lack of remorse which seals her fate.
FAQ 6: How did Daenerys’s advisors influence her decisions in the final season?
Daenerys was heavily influenced by her advisors, particularly Tyrion Lannister. However, she often disregarded their counsel when it conflicted with her own beliefs and ambitions. Her growing isolation and distrust of others further contributed to her increasingly erratic behavior. She was increasingly resistant to dissenting opinions.
FAQ 7: What happened to Drogon after Daenerys’s death?
Drogon, Daenerys’s last surviving dragon, mourned her death by melting the Iron Throne with his fire. He then carried her body away, presumably to Essos or Valyria, the ancestral home of the Targaryens. His actions symbolize the end of the Targaryen dynasty and the destruction of the symbol of power that Daenerys so desperately sought.
FAQ 8: Was Daenerys’s descent into madness predictable?
The show hinted at Daenerys’s potential for ruthlessness throughout its run. Her lineage as a Targaryen, coupled with the trauma she experienced throughout her life, contributed to her growing instability. The writers argued that her descent was a culmination of these factors, making her actions in the final season a plausible, though controversial, development. This trajectory was subtly foreshadowed throughout the series, although its execution drew significant criticism.
FAQ 9: How did the “Game of Thrones” fandom react to Daenerys’s ending?
The “Game of Thrones” fandom had a highly divided reaction to Daenerys’s ending. Some viewers felt it was a betrayal of her character arc, while others argued it was a logical conclusion based on her actions and lineage. The controversy surrounding her ending remains a significant topic of discussion among fans. The negative reaction was so intense that it sparked online petitions and widespread criticism of the show’s writers.
FAQ 10: What is the significance of Daenerys’s claim to the Iron Throne?
Daenerys’s claim to the Iron Throne was central to her identity and her motivation throughout the series. She believed she was the rightful heir to the throne and that it was her destiny to rule Westeros. Her pursuit of the Iron Throne ultimately consumed her and led to her tragic downfall.
FAQ 11: How does Daenerys’s story compare to other tragic heroines in literature?
Daenerys’s story shares similarities with other tragic heroines in literature, such as Lady Macbeth and Medea. Like them, she was driven by ambition and a desire for power, which ultimately led to her destruction. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power.
FAQ 12: What is Daenerys Targaryen’s legacy in “Game of Thrones”?
Daenerys Targaryen’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. She will be remembered as a powerful and charismatic leader who fought for the liberation of the oppressed. However, she will also be remembered for her ruthlessness and her ultimately destructive pursuit of power. Her story serves as a reminder that even those with the best intentions can be corrupted by power, and that the consequences of unchecked ambition can be devastating. Her ambiguous legacy makes her one of the most debated characters in television history.