Jealousy and Revenge: Would Lysa Arryn Have Killed Sansa Stark Out of Jealousy Over Lord Baelish?

Lysa Arryn's jealousy towards Sansa Stark in A Song of Ice and Fire and its adaptation Game of Thrones is a significant aspect of her character. Lysa's obsession with Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger) drives much of her behavior. Her feelings of inadequacy and paranoia lead her to see Sansa as a rival. Lysa's actions suggest that she is capable of extreme measures when it comes to protecting her interests and her twisted view of love.

Jealousy as a Motivating Factor

In the series, Lysa does attempt to kill Sansa out of jealousy and fear that Baelish might prefer Sansa over her. This culminates in a dramatic scene where she threatens Sansa, which ultimately leads to her own death at the hands of Baelish. While Lysa's actions are influenced by her mental instability, her jealousy is a real motivation. It reflects the themes of obsession and rivalry that are prevalent in the series. Yes, it is plausible within the context of Lysa's character that she would have killed Sansa out of jealousy regarding Baelish, although such actions stem from her psychological issues and distorted perceptions rather than a rational decision.

Tragic and Manipulative Behavior

Without hesitation, Lysa Arryn murdered her own husband for Baelish. She watched as her father, uncle, and nephew and their armies fought and died in the Riverlands without lifting a finger to help, all because that is what Petyr wanted. In short, this was not a woman with even a single ounce of love or loyalty towards her family.

To be fair, Lysa had been traumatized by having to drink moon tea and abort Baelish's child when she was just a young girl. And then, to make matters worse, she was hurriedly married off to a man many years her senior. These traumas coupled with her childhood jealousy towards her more beautiful sister, Catelyn, led her to come quite close to a mental collapse.

A "Happy Ending" Gone Wrong

But then she got her happy ending. She had a beautiful boy and her "true love," Baelish, were finally going to live together as one big happy family. Only one day, what did she happen to see? Petyr kissing her 'oh so pretty' niece, Sansa, a girl who was a younger, more beautiful version of her deceased sister. A woman who Baelish had always been obsessed with.

Of course, in her broken mind, there was only one course of action she could take. Murder the brat and make Baelish love her and only her once again. After all, she already had plenty of blood on her hand, and so what was one more death in the grand scheme of things?

But little did she know that the only murder that day was to be her own. With her daughter dead and her fears and insecurities only heightened, Lysa's tragic end becomes a poignant reminder of the destructive power of jealousy and the devastating consequences of obsession.

Themes of Obsession and Rivalry

The conflict between Lysa and Sansa, driven by Baelish's desire for both, highlights the themes of obsession and rivalry that run through A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones. These themes underscore the complexities of human nature and the toll of infidelity and betrayal on one's psyche.

In conclusion, Lysa Arryn's character, marked by jealousy, paranoia, and trauma, makes her a compelling figure in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. Her actions, while deeply misguided and tragic, offer insight into the human psyche and the destructive forces that can lead even the most loyally-hearted individuals to acts of extreme violence.

Beyond her tragic arc, Lysa's character serves as a cautionary tale about the power of jealousy and the consequences of acting on it in an unbalanced and irrational manner.