Who Was the Worst Mother in Game of Thrones: Lysa Tully, Cersei Lannister, or Selyse Florent?

Deciding who is the worst mother among Lysa Tully, Cersei Lannister, and Selyse Florent can be highly subjective, depending on the interpretation of their characters and actions. Let's dive into a detailed analysis of each to understand their parenting styles and the consequences of their actions.

Lysa Tully: Neglect and Manipulation

Lysa Tully is often depicted as unstable and overly protective of her son, Robin Arryn. Her behavior is deeply influenced by her trauma and her obsessive love for her late husband, Petyr Baelish. Lysa's actions, including her manipulation of Robin and isolating him, can be seen as neglectful. Furthermore, her willingness to use her son as a pawn in political games contributes to a toxic environment for Robin. However, it is worth noting that Lysa was raising a special needs child during a time where the societal and medical means to support him were much less advanced than today.

Cersei Lannister: Selfishness and Ambition

Cersei Lannister is fiercely protective of her children but often prioritizes her own ambitions and desires over their well-being. Her attempts to control their lives lead to tragic outcomes, particularly for her son Joffrey and her daughter Myrcella. Cersei's pursuit of power and her inability to protect her children from the political dangers of Westeros showcase a form of neglect, even if her intentions are rooted in love. In the books, show, and even through other characters' eyes, Cersei is portrayed as deeply flawed, often at the cost of her children's happiness and survival.

Selyse Florent: Indifference and Abandonment

Selyse Florent is portrayed as deeply religious and devoted to the Lord of Light. However, her parenting is often seen as cold and neglectful. She shows little affection for her daughter, Shireen, and is indifferent to her suffering. Selyse's rejection of Shireen due to her deformities and her focus on the prophecy surrounding her son, Stannis, can be viewed as particularly damaging. Show Selyse is portrayed as a deeply disturbed religious fanatic who longed to give her unloving husband, Stannis Baratheon, a son to salvage her marriage and validate her status as a successful feudal wife. She is cold and unloving towards her only surviving child, Shireen, and had no qualms about sacrificing her to fulfill her husband’s alleged destiny.

Conclusion: A Tragic Divide

While all three mothers have significant flaws, Cersei Lannister often stands out as the most damaging in terms of the direct consequences of her actions on her children, leading to their suffering and demise. However, Selyse Florent also represents severe emotional neglect and indifference, particularly towards Shireen. Ultimately, the choices these mothers make and the environments they create for their children have lasting impacts, making it difficult to definitively label one as the worst.

When analyzing these characters from both book and show perspectives, we can see that Cersei Lannister in the show often comes off as a bit more tragic and ultimately still loves her children, whereas in the books, she is portrayed as a dumpster fire of a mother. Meanwhile, Selyse Florent in the show is horrible, as she appears to be a deeply disturbed religious fanatic who sacrifices her daughter for her beliefs. However, book Selyse isn't quite as bad but still shows little affection towards her daughter, Shireen.

In conclusion, while each mother presents unique challenges and parenting styles, the direct and indirect consequences of their actions make Cersei and Selyse significant contenders for the title of the worst mother in A Song of Ice and Fire.