Renly Baratheon’s Marriage to Margaery Tyrell: A Complex Political and Personal Situation

In A Song of Ice and Fire, the marriage between Renly Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell is a complex web of political alliances, personal desires, and societal norms. Renly's inability to consummate his marriage with Margaery is often attributed to his sexual orientation, while his political strategy plays a significant role. This article explores the multifaceted nature of Renly and Margaery's relationship within the intricate political landscape of Westeros.

Renly's Sexual Orientation and Political Strategy

Renly Baratheon, known for his attraction towards men, particularly Loras Tyrell, presents a unique situation in his marriage to Margaery. Unlike typical heterosexual marriages where marital intimacy is a fundamental aspect, Renly's lack of sexual attraction towards Margaery can be seen as a reflection of his sexual orientation. George R.R. Martin, the author, portrays Renly as a man who is not sexually interested in Margaery, which creates a significant conflict in their relationship.

However, Renly's marriage to Margaery is more about political strategy than personal relationships. The union is a strategic alliance intended to strengthen Renly’s claim to the Iron Throne. Consuming the marriage would legitimize Margaery's position as queen, making it a political necessity. Renly's focus is more on his broader political ambitions, such as securing the support of House Tyrell, rather than engaging in a personal relationship with Margaery.

Margaery's Role and Ambition

Margaery Tyrell is portrayed as a politically astute character who understands the importance of maintaining the alliance with Renly. She is aware of Renly's affections for Loras Tyrell and seems to accept her role in the marriage as a means to an end. Margaery is clever and manipulative, realizing that her family's ambitions can benefit from a marriage with Renly. Even in the absence of consummation, Margaery upholds the appearance of a legitimate union to ensure the Tyrell family's survival and prosperity.

Margaery's claims about her virginity and the non-consummation of the marriage serve multiple purposes. After Renly's death, Margaery asserts that the marriage was not consummated to annul it and marry Joffrey, thus adjusting the Tyrell family's political strategy. Additionally, her claims serve to maintain the alliance with House Tyrell, as it is advantageous for both parties to keep the marriage intact in the eyes of the public and other influential families.

The Real Reason and Show-Canonical Evidence

The scene in Renly’s tent where he is unable to get an erection provides insight into Renly's real reasons for not consummating the marriage with Margaery. The show explicitly mentions that Renly blames his failed attempt to perform on drinking too much wine. However, it is widely speculated that Renly's true reason is his homosexuality, which Margaery is fully aware of and does not seem to object to. The show even goes as far as suggesting that Loras Tyrell might help Renly in this regard, hinting at the broader understanding of the political and personal dynamics at play.

While the books do not provide explicit scenes with Renly, Margaery, or Loras, they do touch on the political aspects of their marriage. Margaery's character is portrayed as pragmatic, aware of the political landscape, and willing to make sacrifices for her family's ambitions. The lack of consummation is a testament to the complex interplay of political and personal desires in the world of Westeros.

Stannis Baratheon's skepticism about Margaery's virginity after Renly’s death also adds another layer of ambiguity. Stannis sarcastically comments that Margaery is likely to remain a virgin in Renly’s bed, highlighting the doubts some had about the consummation of their marriage. Margaery, on the other hand, later claims to Cersei that she is still a virgin, further complicating the issue.

Ultimately, Renly's lack of consummation with Margaery highlights the intricate political and personal dynamics at play in Westeros. The marriage is a strategic alliance, and the lack of intimacy is a reflection of Renly's true desires. Margaery's politicking ensures that the marriage serves her family's ambitions, even if it does not serve Renly's personal desires.