Jon Snow bends the knee to Daenerys Targaryen in Season 7, Episode 7, “The Dragon and the Wolf,” marking a pivotal moment in Game of Thrones history and solidifying their alliance against the White Walkers. This act of fealty reshapes the political landscape of Westeros and sets the stage for the final season’s dramatic conflicts.
A Royal Submission: The Context of Jon’s Decision
The journey to Jon Snow’s submission is fraught with political maneuvering, personal sacrifice, and the looming threat of the Night King. Throughout Season 7, Jon travels to Dragonstone, Daenerys’ ancestral seat, seeking her help in the fight against the undead army threatening to engulf the North and, eventually, the entire realm. He desperately needs her dragons and resources, but Daenerys, focused on reclaiming the Iron Throne, is initially hesitant to commit to a fight that doesn’t directly benefit her claim.
The Dragonstone Negotiations and the Wight Presentation
The initial meetings between Jon and Daenerys are tense. Jon refuses to bend the knee, recognizing Daenerys as Queen, as he believes his allegiance is to the North and its people. He repeatedly argues that the White Walkers pose a far greater threat than the Iron Throne, showcasing a level of selflessness that contrasts starkly with the ambitions of other Westerosi rulers. He presents Daenerys with dragon glass weapons and details the horrors he has witnessed, but it isn’t until he ventures North of the Wall to capture a wight – a creature from the undead army – and presents it as undeniable proof that she begins to seriously consider his pleas.
Beyond Politics: The Growing Connection Between Jon and Daenerys
Beyond the political strategizing, a subtle but undeniable connection begins to form between Jon and Daenerys. They admire each other’s leadership qualities, respect their respective burdens, and are drawn together by a shared sense of duty. This burgeoning romance, unknowingly built on a foundation of Targaryen blood relation, complicates matters even further, adding a layer of emotional investment to their already complex alliance.
The Significance of “The Dragon and the Wolf”
“The Dragon and the Wolf” is a monumental episode in the Game of Thrones saga. It brings together key players from across Westeros for a parley at the Dragonpit in King’s Landing, ostensibly to negotiate a truce and unite against the White Walkers. However, the episode is packed with betrayals, revelations, and ultimately, Jon’s pivotal decision.
Cersei’s Deception and Jon’s Choice
Despite seeing the wight and acknowledging the threat, Cersei Lannister ultimately reneges on her promise to join the fight, choosing to prioritize her own power and survival. This betrayal forces Jon to make a difficult choice. He realizes that Daenerys will only commit her full strength to the war against the undead if he pledges his allegiance to her as Queen. Knowing that the North, and indeed all of Westeros, will fall without her support, Jon makes the agonizing decision to bend the knee, prioritizing the survival of his people over his own pride and the will of the Northern lords.
The Impact on the Political Landscape
Jon’s decision is not met with universal acclaim. Many Northerners, fiercely independent and resistant to outside rule, are outraged by his perceived betrayal of their hard-won freedom. However, Jon’s genuine belief in the necessity of the alliance, combined with his inherent integrity, eventually wins over some of his detractors. The act of bending the knee cements Daenerys’ claim to the throne in the eyes of many, while simultaneously sowing seeds of doubt and resentment that will continue to fester in the final season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: Why was it so important for Jon Snow to bend the knee?
Jon Snow’s decision to bend the knee was crucial for uniting the forces of Westeros against the existential threat of the Night King and his army of the dead. Daenerys possessed the dragons and the military might necessary to stand a chance against this overwhelming force, but she was unwilling to commit fully without Jon acknowledging her claim to the Iron Throne.
FAQ 2: Did Jon Snow know about his Targaryen heritage when he bent the knee?
No, Jon Snow was unaware of his true parentage – that he was Aegon Targaryen, the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne – when he bent the knee to Daenerys. Samwell Tarly and Bran Stark only revealed this information after Jon made his decision. This ignorance adds a layer of tragic irony to his act of submission.
FAQ 3: How did the Northern lords react to Jon Snow bending the knee?
The reaction of the Northern lords was largely negative. They had declared Jon Snow their King in the North after he defeated Ramsay Bolton, and they viewed his decision to bend the knee to Daenerys as a betrayal of their hard-won independence and a violation of their trust. Lyanna Mormont’s fierce disapproval was particularly notable.
FAQ 4: Did Daenerys Targaryen force Jon Snow to bend the knee?
While Daenerys initially insisted on Jon bending the knee as a condition for her support, she didn’t explicitly force him. Jon made the decision willingly, albeit reluctantly, after witnessing the threat of the White Walkers firsthand and realizing that Daenerys’s support was essential for Westeros’s survival.
FAQ 5: What were the immediate consequences of Jon Snow bending the knee?
The immediate consequence was Daenerys’s commitment to joining the fight against the White Walkers. She traveled North with her dragons, which proved invaluable in the battle against the Army of the Dead. However, it also created a rift between Jon and some of his Northern allies.
FAQ 6: Did bending the knee have any impact on the final season’s events?
Yes, Jon Snow bending the knee had a significant impact on the final season. It solidified Daenerys’s claim to the throne, which ultimately led to her disastrous reign in King’s Landing. It also created a complex and ultimately tragic romantic relationship between Jon and Daenerys, further complicating the power dynamics.
FAQ 7: What does “bending the knee” symbolize in Westeros?
“Bending the knee” is a traditional act of submission and allegiance in Westeros. It signifies accepting the authority of a ruler and pledging loyalty to them. It is a deeply symbolic gesture with significant political weight.
FAQ 8: Was Jon Snow right to bend the knee, considering the circumstances?
Whether Jon Snow was right to bend the knee is a matter of debate. Some argue that he made the only logical choice given the existential threat posed by the White Walkers. Others believe that he betrayed the North and compromised his own values. There is no easy answer, and the validity of his decision depends on one’s perspective.
FAQ 9: How did Tyrion Lannister influence Jon Snow’s decision?
Tyrion played a key role in mediating the relationship between Jon and Daenerys. He recognized Jon’s integrity and his genuine concern for the realm, and he advised Daenerys to trust Jon and take his warnings about the White Walkers seriously. His influence helped pave the way for Jon’s eventual decision to bend the knee.
FAQ 10: Did Daenerys truly trust Jon after he bent the knee?
While Daenerys appreciated Jon’s act of fealty, there was always a degree of uncertainty in her trust. She was ultimately driven by her desire for the Iron Throne and often struggled to reconcile her ambition with her growing feelings for Jon. This inherent tension contributed to the events of the final season.
FAQ 11: How did Cersei Lannister use Jon bending the knee to her advantage?
Cersei used Jon’s allegiance to Daenerys as justification for breaking her promise to join the fight against the White Walkers. She reasoned that if the North had already pledged allegiance to a foreign queen, then she was under no obligation to help them. This strategic manipulation allowed her to consolidate her own power and prepare for a future conflict with Daenerys.
FAQ 12: Knowing what we know now about Daenerys’s fate, would Jon have made the same decision to bend the knee?
This is perhaps the most agonizing question. Knowing Daenerys’s descent into madness and the destruction she wrought upon King’s Landing, it’s impossible to say whether Jon would have made the same choice. He acted in what he believed to be the best interests of the realm, based on the information he had at the time. However, the tragic consequences of his decision raise profound questions about the nature of leadership, duty, and the unforeseen ramifications of even the most well-intentioned actions.