Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, makes the agonizing decision to lock up two of her children, Rhaegal and Viserion, in the catacombs beneath the Great Pyramid of Meereen in Season 5, Episode 9, titled “The Dance of Dragons.” This drastic action is prompted by the devastating consequences of Drogon’s wild behavior, particularly the death of a child named Hazzea.
The Dragon’s Dilemma: Why Daenerys Made the Hard Choice
Daenerys’ journey in Meereen is marked by a constant struggle to balance her ideals of justice and liberation with the practical realities of ruling a newly conquered city. Her dragons, initially symbols of her power and destiny, become a source of growing concern as they mature and their primal instincts become more pronounced. The catalyst for the lockdown is the horrifying event during the Great Games of Meereen. Drogon, drawn by the scent of blood and the roar of the crowd, descends into the arena and inadvertently kills Hazzea, a young girl.
This tragic incident forces Daenerys to confront the brutal truth: her dragons are not merely pets or weapons; they are forces of nature, capable of immense destruction and unpredictable behavior. The grief of Hazzea’s father and the widespread fear among the Meereenese populace leave Daenerys with no choice. To maintain order and protect her people, she reluctantly decides to confine Rhaegal and Viserion, hoping to contain their destructive potential. Drogon, however, escapes before he can be captured. The episode title itself, “The Dance of Dragons,” foreshadows the larger conflict between Daenerys’ dragons and the challenges they present to her rule. It also subtly hints at the historical Targaryen civil war of the same name, which involved devastating dragon battles. The dragon’s confinement marks a turning point in Daenerys’ reign, highlighting the difficult choices and moral compromises inherent in leadership.
Understanding the Context: Daenerys’ Rule in Meereen
Daenerys’ decision to lock up her dragons wasn’t made in a vacuum. It was a direct consequence of the escalating problems she faced while ruling Meereen.
The Sons of the Harpy and Meereenese Resistance
Daenerys’ efforts to abolish slavery and establish a new social order in Meereen were met with fierce resistance from the Sons of the Harpy, a group of masked insurgents dedicated to restoring the old ways. Their attacks were frequent and increasingly violent, destabilizing the city and undermining Daenerys’ authority. The constant threat of assassination and the escalating unrest contributed to her growing sense of pressure and the need to maintain control at any cost.
Balancing Justice and Mercy
Daenerys’ attempts to navigate the complex political landscape of Meereen often led to difficult choices. Her decisions, such as the public execution of Meereenese noblemen in response to the Sons of the Harpy’s attacks, were met with criticism from both her advisors and the local population. She struggled to balance her desire for justice with the need for mercy, and her attempts to find a middle ground often proved ineffective. This constant tension weighed heavily on her and influenced her decisions regarding her dragons.
The Weight of Responsibility
The responsibility of ruling a city as complex and volatile as Meereen placed an enormous burden on Daenerys. She was constantly forced to make difficult decisions with limited information, and her actions often had unintended consequences. The weight of this responsibility, combined with the growing threat posed by her dragons, ultimately led her to the agonizing decision to confine Rhaegal and Viserion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Daenerys’ decision to lock up her dragons:
FAQ 1: Why did Daenerys only lock up Rhaegal and Viserion and not Drogon?
Drogon escaped the city before he could be captured. He was last seen flying away from the Daznak’s Pit during the fighting pits reopening ceremony, leaving Daenerys with no immediate way to control or contain him.
FAQ 2: How did Daenerys manage to chain the dragons?
The dragons were lured into the catacombs with meat and then trapped using specially forged chains. The chains were likely made of a special metal designed to withstand the dragons’ fire and strength, though the show doesn’t specify the exact material. It’s implied that Daenerys herself played a crucial role in coaxing them into the confined space, relying on her bond with her “children.”
FAQ 3: What was the immediate aftermath of the dragon confinement?
The dragon confinement brought a semblance of peace to Meereen in the short term, easing some of the public anxiety. However, it also created a rift between Daenerys and her advisors, particularly Ser Barristan Selmy and Missandei, who questioned the wisdom of her decision. The underlying tensions in Meereen remained, and the city continued to be plagued by unrest.
FAQ 4: How long were Rhaegal and Viserion locked up for?
Rhaegal and Viserion were locked up for a considerable period, spanning much of Season 5 and the early part of Season 6. They were eventually freed when Tyrion Lannister, acting as Daenerys’ advisor, cautiously approached them and removed their chains.
FAQ 5: What impact did the confinement have on Rhaegal and Viserion?
Being locked up had a significant impact on Rhaegal and Viserion. They became more aggressive and untrusting, their growth was likely stunted, and their bond with Daenerys was weakened. Their confinement also demonstrated the limitations of Daenerys’ control over her dragons.
FAQ 6: Did Daenerys regret locking up her dragons?
Daenerys clearly struggled with the decision to lock up her dragons. It was a painful choice that went against her instincts as the “Mother of Dragons.” While she believed it was necessary to protect her people, she undoubtedly regretted having to imprison creatures that she considered her children.
FAQ 7: Did Tyrion have any role in the dragon’s confinement?
Tyrion Lannister didn’t have a direct role in the initial decision to confine the dragons. However, after becoming Daenerys’ advisor, he played a critical role in their eventual release, recognizing that they were valuable assets and that keeping them locked up was not a sustainable solution.
FAQ 8: Were there alternative solutions to locking up the dragons?
Some argued that Daenerys should have focused on training and controlling the dragons rather than confining them. Others suggested finding a suitable habitat for them outside of Meereen. However, given the immediate threat they posed and the lack of resources, Daenerys felt that confinement was the only viable option at the time.
FAQ 9: How did Drogon’s actions contribute to Daenerys’ decision?
Drogon’s escape and subsequent acts of violence, particularly the accidental death of Hazzea, were the main catalysts for Daenerys’ decision. These events highlighted the untamed nature of the dragons and the danger they posed to the population of Meereen.
FAQ 10: What did the Meereenese think of Daenerys locking up her dragons?
The Meereenese people had mixed reactions. Many felt safer with the dragons confined, while others saw it as a sign of weakness on Daenerys’ part. Some of the Meereenese nobility even believed that the dragon’s confinement was a punishment from the gods for Daenerys’ radical changes to their society.
FAQ 11: How did this event foreshadow future events in the series?
The confinement of the dragons foreshadowed the challenges Daenerys would face in controlling her power and the consequences of her actions. It also highlighted the inherent danger of dragons as weapons of war and hinted at the eventual destruction they would cause.
FAQ 12: What ultimately led to Rhaegal and Viserion’s freedom?
Ultimately, Tyrion Lannister released Rhaegal and Viserion in an attempt to forge a stronger bond between Daenerys and her dragons. He believed that by demonstrating trust and understanding, he could help her control them and use them effectively in the wars to come. This act proved successful, as both dragons became loyal to Daenerys once again.