Why Stannis Failed to Unite against the Lannisters: A Game of Thrones Analysis

Stannis Baratheon, the third son who dreams of regaining his throne, could have formed an alliance with Renly Baratheon and Robb Stark to overthrow House Lannister. However, several factors contributed to the collapse of this potential coalition. Let's explore the reasons why Stannis missed the opportunity to unite against the Lannisters and the consequences of this missed alliance.

Stannis: The Rightful King with a Flawed Reign

Stannis, despite being the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, has a significant flaw that renders him less appealing to his potential allies. In the world of Westeros, Stannis is universally acknowledged as the lawful ruler, yet his supporters are few. Why? Because Stannis is a man who personifies absolute loyalty but lacks the interpersonal skills to win over others. He demands that all houses acknowledge his claim and fight for him, without offering any tangible rewards for their support. This inflexibility and arrogance make it difficult for even his closest allies to support his cause.

The Inability to Form an Alliance with Renly Baratheon

Renly Baratheon and Stannis had a brief window of potential collaboration, but Stannis's refusal to recognize Renly as anything but a usurper created an insurmountable barrier. In one pivotal scene, Stannis proposes a partnership with Renly, urging him to team up against the Lannisters. Renly, however, insists that Stannis should see him as the king, which Stannis considers a nonsensical concept. Renly even taunts Stannis, suggesting that he would use magical forces against him. The exchange ends with Stannis cursing his brother, underscoring the deep divide between the two brothers.

The Complex Relationship with Robb Stark

When it comes to Robb Stark, Stannis's argument holds some merit. Giving the North independence to reward Robb for his support against the Lannisters would create a precedent that other kingdoms might exploit. Furthermore, Stannis's primary goal is to be crowned the true king of the Seven Kingdoms. Offering concessions to one region without solidifying his power base on a national scale seems like a shortsighted strategy. Robb Stark, on the other hand, prioritizes the autonomy of the North and is not willing to bend to Stannis's demands. This disagreement, along with Stannis's lack of flexibility, made any potential alliance with Robb impossible.

The Predicted Outcome if Stannis failed

Assuming Stannis had been defeated by Renly in the morning, a scenario where Renly and Robb Stark jointly defeated the Lannisters, the nature of the Seven Kingdoms would have changed drastically. Renly would have claimed the throne of Westeros, and Robb Stark would have emerged as a symbolic but less independent ruler of the North. Essentially, the North would have gained more autonomy but remained under Renly's broader rule, similar to a Northern version of Dorne. This hypothetical outcome would have reshaped the power dynamics in Westeros and might have provided a different narrative for the remaining seasons of the show.

Final Analysis: Stannis's rigid approach to governance and succession, combined with his brothers' opposing views, ultimately prevented him from forming the necessary alliances. His character's singular focus on his claim to the Iron Throne and the lack of intermediary rewards or concessions for his allies hindered his ability to unite against the Lannisters. Although this missed opportunity left room for different outcomes, the events of the show suggest that Stannis's fate was sealed by his own political naivety and unwillingness to compromise.