Daenerys: The Authoritative Leader or a Reluctant Queen?

In the final season of A Song of Ice and Fire, viewers were left grappling with the complexities of Daenerys Targaryen's leadership. Her interactions with Sansa Stark provide a critical insight into her governing philosophy and her place as a leader.

When Sansa asks Daenerys what happens after the Iron Throne and what happens to The North, Daenerys responds with a backed-away reaction. This non-committal stance led some to question whether Daenerys truly views herself as an authoritative leader or a reluctant queen. All that Daenerys needed to do was to affirm Jon's voluntary pledge of fealty on behalf of the North, which would have settled the matter.

Achieving Authority Through Pledges

The North, as a longstanding region with its own traditions and independence, presents a unique challenge for any ruler, especially one claiming authority through a tenuous claim to the Iron Throne. When Daenerys didn't explicitly offer The North its independence, this lack of commitment raised doubts about her true position as an authoritative leader. However, her refusal to give The North its independence aligns more with pragmatic governance than absolutism.

Daenerys believed that the North would honor the pledge its King made, which Jon had pledged on behalf of the North. This shows a pragmatic approach where she relies on fulfilling promises rather than asserting absolute authority. The expectation that the North would uphold its end of the bargain is a diplomatic and tactical move rather than an indication of absolutist rule.

Collaboration and Conflict: Sansa and Jon

While it's true that much credit is given to Sansa for her discernment in not trusting Cersei, it's also noteworthy that she and Jon have fundamentally different goals. Jon is fighting for the living, including the North, while Sansa views the fight against the Night King as a means to defend Northern independence. This difference in perspective fosters a lack of alignment between the two.

When Sansa wants to punish the Karstarks and Umbers for their treachery against House Stark during the war, she shows that her priorities differ greatly from those of Daenerys. That Daenerys didn't see the same betrayal in Jon's pledge to her highlights the divergence in their goals and values. In the face of adversity, it seems clear that both women would not back down from their respective beliefs, rendering the notion of an authoritative leader one-sided.

Moral Integrity and Reliability

Daenerys' reaction to Sansa's question also reflects her expectation that the North would honor the King's pledge, despite not having the full authority to offer autonomy. Her belief in the North’s adherence to such promises does not equate to absolutism; it is a manifestation of her pragmatic and diplomatic approach.

More importantly, the question of why Sansa would expect better from Indoctrination, given the betrayal of her own kin by the Bolton-led Karstarks and Umbers, raises an interesting ethical dilemma. It underscores the complexity of trust and loyalty. The North’s history and its people’s sense of inviolable oaths might play a crucial role in its loyalty, a factor that aligns with a belief in honoring promises rather than absolute authority.

Conclusion: Appraising Leadership in a Chaotic World

As viewers and scholars continue to dissect the final seasons of A Song of Ice and Fire, the nuances of Daenerys Targaryen's leadership emerge. Her approach may not align with absolute authority but reflects pragmatic governance and a deep belief in the honor and promises of those she rules. Whether this qualifies her as an authoritative leader or a reluctant queen is open to interpretation, but it certainly adds depth to her character and her legacy.

Ultimately, understanding whether Daenerys is an authoritative leader or a reluctant queen depends on one's perspective and the criteria used to define authority. What is clear is that her leadership involves a complex interplay of moral integrity, pragmatic governance, and the honor-bound codes of the Northern lords.