Will Daenerys Claim the Iron Throne?

In promotional material and fan art, it seems as though Daenerys Targaryen will claim the Iron Throne. However, in the books, Daenerys has yet to even return to Westeros, and she is nowhere near King's Landing or the Iron Throne. The show does not fare much better, as in her final scene before she dies, Daenerys only touches the Iron Throne but does not sit in it. Therefore, the question arises: will Daenerys ever sit on the Iron Throne in the books?

The Iron Throne and the House with the Red Door

In my opinion, Daenerys will not sit on the Iron Throne. The whole point of the House with the Red Door, beyond its connection to the lemon incident, is the idea that some things can be more important to people than the power of the Iron Throne. Daenerys is not as lusting for the power of the Iron Throne as she wishes to return to a simpler, more innocent time.

Daenerys vs. Jon Snow: Opposites in the Game of Thrones

Daenerys is a foal to Jon Snow. Her grey is darker compared to his lighter grey. When you read about them for the first time or watch the first season, it seems that they are the same in spirit but opposite in appearance. Daenerys is born a princess and hated for her heritage, while Jon is a bastard yet loved for his name. After rising from essential slavery, Daenerys is motivated by compassion, but she is immature and emotionally damaged, wanting to do good but consistently blundering.

The Corrupting Power of the Iron Throne

Daenerys, now the most powerful person in Westeros, is devoured by the weight of her power. This is meant to show that even someone who truly wants to do good can be corrupted by too much power, much like the history of the Targaryens themselves. In the beginning, Daenerys comes from a place of childish idealism, which is single-minded and lacks an adult's perspective. She feels that her home and family have been stolen from her and becomes fixated on the Iron Throne as a symbol. She has always been ‘go big or go home’ in contrast to the Starks, who are the force of stability. Daenerys, despite her appearance, is the force of chaos.

The Dangers of Power and Its Effect on Daenerys

Daenerys has amassed a huge force, essentially a cult of personality, and now she has a worthy opponent in the Nights King to vent her fury on. However, this is not the kind of conflict that one would find in Game of Thrones. More likely, in the TV show, Daenerys will be pushed over the edge by something emotionally painful. After a lifetime of being chased and betrayed, she has become insecure to the point of near paranoia. Since she can't trust anyone, she can't see other people's points of view. She only trusts herself and becomes oblivious to her faults, which is why she hasn't been able to learn from them.

One recurring theme in Game of Thrones is that power changes people and not for the better. Jon Snow, who grows as a leader, ultimately dies. If power is ‘the devil’ in Game of Thrones, then the theme of Daenerys's character is “Dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change—the devil changes you.”

Of course, I hope for some form of redemption for Daenerys. She is not pure arrogant cruelty; she is broken, misguided, and sliding down a steep slope. The question of whether she will attain the Iron Throne remains open, but her journey there is a tale of complexity and personal growth. Will she triumph or fall to the dangers of her power?