Game Of Thrones: How Daenerys Became The Mad Queen (And Why The Hate Is Wrong)

5. The Drogon Parallel

Animals play an important role in Game of Thrones. The direwolf isn't simply the sigil of House Stark, it's an animal they have a direct connection with. While the show never utilised them properly, the Starks have deep bonds with their wolves that come to represent who they are inside. The lion sigil of House Lannister is shown in their pride and their fierceness, even if we don't see a literal lion.

House Targaryen and dragons are no different. The beasts were not just vehicles to fly on or weapons to wage war with. They were manifestations of their nature. They are fire and blood. Daenerys knows what she is. She's a dragon, and now she's being one. But for a closer parallel, look at her connection to Drogon.

At first, he is expected to be subservient. He is her child and will do as he's told. This is like the Dany we meet in Season 1, who is passed between Viserys and Drogo and does as she's bid. But as she attempts to learn how to rule in Meereen, Drogon becomes wilder. He goes out and does as he pleases. He burns and kills things. Not because he's bad, but because it's his very nature. Daenerys cannot fully tame him so much as she can give in to those same impulses. She is a dragon, after all.

[James]