Robert Baratheon’s Ideology of Love: Ideals vs Reality
Robert Baratheon’s Ideology of Love: Ideals vs Reality
Robert Baratheon’s love for Lyanna Stark is a complex topic that intertwines themes of idealization, obsession, and unrequited affection. This article explores how Robert’s feelings for Lyanna can be viewed from various perspectives, ultimately suggesting that his love was more an idealized memory than a true reciprocal romantic relationship.
Robert Baratheon and the Idealization of Lyanna Stark
Robert’s love for Lyanna is often portrayed as an idealized form of love. He admired her beauty and spirit, and his affection was likely amplified by the tragedy of her death. However, this idealization may have turned into an obsession, leading him to cling to the memory of her rather than fully understanding who she was as a person.
Afraid of the truth, he fixated on her memory. After her presumed death, Robert became fixated on the idea of her rather than the reality. This obsession fueled his desire to reclaim the crown and avenge what he believed was her abduction by Rhaegar Targaryen.
The Reality of Their Relationship
Contrary to the idealization, it is important to note that Lyanna Stark’s feelings towards Robert were not reciprocated in the same way. In fact, she had a deep connection with Rhaegar Targaryen, which complicates Robert’s narrative. Lyanna’s love for Rhaegar and her choice to run away with him suggest that her relationship with Robert was not based on mutual affection but rather on societal expectations and familial duty.
Impact on Westeros
Robert Baratheon’s love for Lyanna, whether genuine or idealized, had profound implications for the realm. It was a catalyst for the Rebellion, which led to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty and the rise of Robert as king. Robert’s actions and decisions were driven by his obsession with Lyanna rather than a clear understanding of their real relationship.
Robert’s Self-Absorbed Delusion
From my own interpretation, Robert Baratheon was not genuinely in love with Lyanna Stark. He was a self-absorbed, greedy, and entitled man who created a fictionalized, delusional tale of what his relationship with Lyanna was really like. Robert saw Lyanna as something to own—an object he must possess.
We know from the books that Lyanna was not a fan of Robert. She knew he was a philanderer and had a bastard child. She saw him for what he was and was not excited about being betrothed to him. Robert’s reluctance to accept that she did not want him and was in love with another man led him to create this false memory where she would have been with him had it not been for Rhaegar.
Obsession and Emotional Intelligence
Robert’s emotional and psychological intelligence was limited when handling the fact that Lyanna and Rhaegar had run off together. He couldn’t process the truth that she didn’t want him and had to present it as if Rhaegar had stolen something from him. He painted Lyanna as a damsel in distress with no agency, who was taken against her will.
The fact that Rhaegar won Lyanna’s heart was too much for Robert to handle. His focus on reclaiming the crown and avenging her supposed abduction only served to further entrench his obsession and denied him the opportunity to confront the truth.
Robert’s story takes a tragic turn, with his disastrous relationship with Cersei Lannister ultimately leading to the same kind of unhappiness and loss he was trying to avoid. The irony is that in his efforts to cling to a false ideal, Robert lost everything that truly mattered.
Ultimately, Robert Baratheon’s love for Lyanna was more about an idealized memory and obsession than a genuine, reciprocal romantic relationship. His actions and emotions were driven by a deep-seated need to control and possess someone who had already chosen her own path.