The Age of Brienne of Tarth: A Comparative Analysis between Books and Show

In the expansive world of A Song of Ice and Fire, the age of Brienne of Tarth often sparks debates among fans and analysts. This article explores the age of Brienne in both the novels and the TV series, Game of Thrones, based on the books by George R.R. Martin.

Age in the Books

Introducing Brienne of Tarth, we find her at Renly Baratheon's camp in the books. According to the story, Brienne is 18 years old when we first meet her. As the plot unfolds and she grows, her age is a topic often discussed. By the time she meets Lady Stoneheart, it's implied that she could be 18 or 20, spanning a short period of time in the novel series. This brief discussion of her age in the books is based on the timeline provided by the narrative.

Age in the TV Show

In contrast, the TV adaptation of Game of Thrones has introduced a significant alteration to the ages of key characters. The show has aged up many of the characters to make them appear more relatable and nuanced. For Brienne, this means that while she may have started out with a mid to late 20s appearance in the books, in the show, she is portrayed as being in her early to mid-thirties. This adjustment aligns with the typical character age ranges in the show, where Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister are pushing 40 or over.

Further Context

Jaime Lannister's comments provide a relative benchmark for Brienne's age. When Jaime remarks that Brienne isn't old enough to remember King Aerys, it suggests she is no older than 20 at that point, which was around 15 years in the past. This timeline consideration places Brienne at or just over 5 years older than 15, indicating she is around 20.

Another reference point is Brienne's jousting match against Joffrey. The scene occurs shortly after Sansa Stark, who is around 6 years old at that time, making Brienne roughly 10 years older than Sansa. This event is crucial as it represents a significant early interaction between Brienne and the Stark family, foreshadowing her role in the broader narrative of Westeros.

Aging Discrepancies

Between the books and the show, the aging of Brienne highlights the differences in storytelling approaches. In the books, the progression of time is more nuanced and tied to plot developments, whereas in the show, the focus on visual appeal and character consistency dictates age adjustments.

By the current point in the books, which aligns with the end of the fifth novel, A Dance with Dragons, Brienne is either still 18 or 19 years old. The show, however, has aged her to reflect a more mature character, suggesting that by the time of the concluding episodes, she would be in her early to mid-thirties.

The key factor in these age changes is fan and critical reception. Age discrepancies can impact the reader's or viewer's perception of character development and emotional maturity, which is why both books and the show have made such adjustments.

In conclusion, the age of Brienne of Tarth remains a point of interest for fans, with her age in the books and the show differing significantly due to narrative and visual storytelling techniques. Understanding both portrayals helps fans appreciate the complexity and depth of characters in the richly detailed world of A Song of Ice and Fire.