Tyrion

Biodata

Background / History

Tyrion grew up facing mockery and rejection because of his dwarfism. Despite developing a resilient public manner, he remained deeply attached to his family: he longed for Tywin’s approval and regarded Jaime as the person who treated him best 21 28.

At thirteen, Tyrion and Jaime rescued a peasant girl named Tysha from men harassing her on the road. Jaime pursued the attackers while Tyrion stayed with her. Tyrion and Tysha fell in love, secretly married with the help of a drunken septon, and lived together happily for two weeks 28.

Tywin opposed the marriage and ordered Jaime to tell Tyrion that Tysha was a prostitute hired for him. Tyrion believed his brother. Tywin then had his soldiers rape Tysha and forced Tyrion to participate last, paying her a gold dragon where the soldiers had paid silver stags. Tysha subsequently disappeared, and Tyrion turned increasingly to drinking and visiting brothels 28.

The memory remained painful years later. When Davion asked about the first woman he had paid, Tyrion struggled to conceal his distress before retreating into exaggerated laughter and boasts about his sexual experience 28 29.

Appearance

Tyrion has exceptionally short stature and markedly uneven proportions 19.

• Build: A large head out of proportion to his shoulders, small hands, and short, thick legs 19 50.
• Face: A prominent, bulging forehead and uneven teeth 19.
• Eyes: One black eye and one green eye 19.
• Hair: Sparse golden hair and a tangled brown-and-gold beard 19.
• Height accommodations: Stands on chairs or stools to address others and watch events more conspicuously 19 35.

Personality

Tyrion presents himself as cynical, playful, and devoted to wine and women. He readily jokes about his dwarfism, defusing embarrassment when the women at Shataya’s brothel overlook him in favor of Davion. Davion admires his ability to endure such treatment without losing his composure 20 21.

His resilience is less secure where his family is concerned. He envies Tywin’s authority while resenting the contempt directed at him, and he recognizes that his father considers Jaime his only acceptable heir. Tyrion also fears that a child of his might inherit dwarfism and suffer the same lifelong humiliation 21 31 33.

Davion regards him as intelligent, meticulous, principled, and capable of deep loyalty beneath his flippant exterior. Tyrion’s friendship is practical as well as affectionate: he publicly supports Davion, intervenes against Janos Slynt, and immediately investigates when he believes Cersei may have endangered him 20 35 46 50.

Abilities & Skills

Learning and Political Knowledge

Tyrion is an avid reader who relies on his mind rather than martial ability. Davion considers his political talents exceptional enough to make him a potential future Hand of the King, though this remains Davion’s private assessment rather than an appointment 20 28.

• Identifies noble houses, heraldry, and prominent knights during the tourney procession 32.
• Explains tournament customs and the roles of Jaime and Barristan Selmy in the opening parade 30.
• Knows court rumors, including Loras Tyrell’s relationship with Renly Baratheon 32.
• Does not understand every concealed maneuver: Davion and Littlefinger’s veiled exchange leaves him bewildered 20.

Observation and Inference

Tyrion notices small reactions and uses them to test his suspicions 50.

• Infers that Davion is with Cersei from the unusual placement of her guards 50.
• Confirms his inference through a fleeting change in the guards’ eyes, despite receiving no verbal answer 50.
• Recognizes the danger posed by Cersei’s anger after Davion defeats Jaime 50.

Social Intimidation

Although marginalized within his family, Tyrion can use the Lannister name to command deference outside it 46 50.

• Forces Janos Slynt to abandon his threats against Davion and leave Shataya’s brothel 46.
• Warns Janos not to return to the establishment 46.
• Passes the Red Keep’s Lannister guards unchallenged until reaching the restricted corridor outside Cersei’s bedchamber 50.

Relationships

• Davion Whent — Friend met at Shataya’s brothel. Their banter develops into genuine affection, and Tyrion calls him one of his few friends in King’s Landing. Davion privately considers recruiting him as a future political ally 19 20 33.
• Tywin Lannister — Father. Tyrion desires his approval but bitterly understands his prejudice against allowing a dwarf to inherit Casterly Rock. Tywin’s treatment of Tysha is central to Tyrion’s childhood trauma 21 28 33.
• Jaime Lannister — Older brother and Tyrion’s most trusted family member. Jaime defends his attendance at the tourney and argues that he should inherit Casterly Rock, but also participated in Tywin’s deception about Tysha 21 28 32 33.
• Cersei Lannister — Sister. She openly displays disgust toward him. Tyrion knows about her relationship with Jaime and her other lovers but avoids discussing that knowledge with his brother 32 33 50.
• Tysha — First love and secretly married wife. Tyrion believes Jaime’s false claim that she was hired, while memories of her continue to cause him profound distress 28 29.
• Shataya — Brothel proprietor and acquaintance. Tyrion opposes Littlefinger’s attempts to acquire her establishment; she later seeks his help after Davion is taken to the Red Keep 19 50.
• Petyr Baelish — Social acquaintance treated with pointed distrust. Tyrion objects to the prospect of Baelish gaining access to patrons’ private affairs through ownership of Shataya’s brothel 19.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Davion and Making the Wager

Tyrion meets Davion while visiting Shataya’s brothel with Petyr Baelish. After dismissing Baelish’s efforts to buy the establishment, he questions Davion about his popularity with the women. Their initial rivalry gives way to drinking, teasing, and friendship 19 20 21.

When Davion declares his intention to win every tourney championship except archery, Tyrion stakes a thousand gold dragons against his ambitions in the joust and melee. He also demands first choice of a woman if Davion loses, citing renowned competitors such as Jaime, Barristan, and the Clegane brothers as reasons for his skepticism 21.

The Hand’s Tourney

Tyrion secures excellent seats near the royal viewing stand for Davion and accompanies him through the opening ceremony. He explains the competitors and arranges lunch before being summoned to Tywin’s tent 29 30 32.

During the family meeting, Jaime proposes that Tyrion inherit Casterly Rock instead of him. Tyrion openly challenges Tywin’s refusal to accept a dwarf as his heir, prompting his father to dismiss all three children. Afterward, Tyrion asks Jaime to go easy on Davion if they meet in the lists 33.

Despite their wager, Tyrion enthusiastically supports Davion. He stands on a stool to cheer before the match against Kalen Leygood and later celebrates Davion’s advantage over Loras Tyrell. When Davion is declared jousting champion, Tyrion brings him the news and urges him to collect his prize 35 39 44.

Protecting Davion in King’s Landing

After Davion assaults Janos Slynt at Shataya’s brothel, Tyrion intervenes before the confrontation escalates further. He identifies Davion as both the tourney champion and his friend, intimidates Janos into leaving, and warns Davion about the legal consequences of killing a Gold Cloaks officer 45 46.

Later that night, Shataya reports that Lannister guards have taken Davion away. Fearing retaliation from Cersei, Tyrion immediately goes to the Red Keep. At her bedchamber, he deduces that Davion is there as her lover rather than a prisoner. He leaves without interrupting, asking the guards to tell Davion that he is looking for him 47 50.

Notable Quotes

“Why not simply say that a dwarf like me is unworthy of inheriting the lordship of Casterly Rock, unworthy of holding the foundations of House Lannister in his hands?” 33

“Jaime, if you meet Davion in the lists, go easy on him. He’s one of the few friends I have in King’s Landing.” 33

“Not only is he the Earl of Harrenhal, he’s also a good friend of mine, Tyrion Lannister! Do you think you can afford to offend us?” 46