The Question of Responsibility in 'Game of Thrones'

Hardly. Why don't you address the real culprits behind the destruction of King's Landing: Cersei Lannister, Sansa Stark, Jon Snow, and Varys? Had any of the actions of these characters not influenced the path Daenerys Targaryen took, she would not have been pushed to this boiling point.

Sole Responsibility Lies Within Daenerys

The blame for Daenerys' actions solely lies with her. She harbored these tendencies almost from the beginning, and people kept giving her a pass. This is a stark reflection of how societies breed despots and tyrants—those who start with good intentions and actions yet ignore or rationalize their horrific behavior.

Political Parallels and Societal Implications

Just like we see in the real world, people vote for politicians who have clever soundbites but then ignore or rationalize the candidates' poor behavior, even as they cross moral lines. We constantly see this pattern—politicians who mock people, support cheating and lies, and disregard laws and traditions—but those who support them keep rationalizing and excusing their actions.

The Mentality of Complacency

The questions and comments on Quora, blaming characters like Olenna Tyrell, Sansa Stark, and Jon Snow, are indicative of a broader societal mindset. People cannot see clearly even in fictional characters and often fail to recognize when it comes to real-world issues that are crucial. This mentality is detrimental and can lead to a society's decline and eventual destruction.

The Urgency of Personal Accountability

Denying personal responsibility and shifting blame to society as a whole justifies extreme actions like "kill them all and start over." If we continue to prioritize blame over personal accountability, the seeds for such radical actions are sown.

The Case of Olenna Tyrell

While Olenna Tyrell is often seen as a primary antagonist, she is far down the list of those to blame. Cersei Lannister, for her immediate defiance and refusal to surrender, is at the top. The blind loyalty and unwavering support of Missandei and Grey Worm, who only cared about Daenerys and her intentions, further contributed to her destructive path.

Cersei’s Role

Cersei Lannister's refusal to surrender immediately and her decision to behead Dany's best friend should be the first point of blame. This action escalated the situation and pushed Daenerys towards her final decisions.

Tyrion’s Ethical Stance

Tyrion Lannister’s repeated pleas to Daenerys not to burn cities, even to the point of resignation, demonstrate his ethical stance. He recognized the atrocities she was about to commit and tried to prevent them, down to the point of publicly supporting her cause despite disagreeing with her methods. His actions reflect a clear understanding of the moral implications of his words and deeds.