10. Robb Stark's 'Honour'
HBORobb Stark is, well and truly, his father's son. Holding family and honour above all else, he's something of a paragon for the Stark house's values. As shown in the War of the Five Kings, he's also a highly talented tactician and warrior, winning every battle he fights, despite the odds. However, during the war campaign, he falls in love and marries a medic named Talisa, breaking the pact he made with the Freys. This results in the notorious Red Wedding, causing the death of Catelyn Stark, Talisa Stark, and Robb Stark himself. While everyone enjoys a good 'forbidden love' story, it was totally out of character for Robb to have broken a pact in the manner that he did. Although they were in love, there was nothing honourable about marrying Talisa, and a man like Robb stark should have known that it was a terrible idea. To be believable, audiences needed to buy that it was
true love, a grand romance that was worth throwing everything away for. Of course, this just doesn't fit remotely well with the cruel, medieval world of Game of Thrones. In the books, Robb gets injured in battle and tended to be a noblewoman called Jeyne Westerling. While recovering, he learns the news that his two younger brothers have been killed by Theon Greyjoy, and in a moment of weakness he sleeps with Jeyne. Because Robb has taken her virginity, he decides to marry Jeyne to preserve her honour, as was the done thing in Westeros. This not only further links him thematically with his father, but also turns Robb into a far more sympathetic and believable character than his show counterpart.