The Iron Throne in “House of the Dragon” is different from the one in Game of Thrones, and the adjustments made to its design are more significant than you might think. As a prelude to Game of Thrones, “House of the Dragon” examines the Targaryen dynasty’s rule many years before the tale HBO first shared with viewers in 2011. In order to build up the circumstances that will lead to the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war within the Targaryen family, “House of the Dragon,” which is set 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, starts with Viserys I’s rule.
The Iron Throne makes several appearances in the “House of the Dragon“ season 1 premiere. The throne is frequently and predictably occupied by King Viserys, although in a scenario between him and his niece, Princess Rhaenyra, the king’s daughter, Prince Daemon also occupies the seat. The Iron Throne, which is shown towering behind Rhaenyra when Viserys officially acknowledges her as his heir at the very end of the episode, serves as a not-so-subtle reminder of the enormous responsibility she has just taken on. This throne is larger and more jumbled in form than the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, with swords protruding at weird angles and overflowing onto the stairs.
Although the Iron Throne in “House of the Dragon” is considerably different from the one in Game of Thrones, the adjustments were not merely made for cosmetic reasons. These modifications reflect the show’s new setting and will play a bigger role in the narrative. The Iron Throne has been altered to better reflect how George R.R. Martin, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire, has always pictured it.
Why the Iron Throne in “House of the Dragon” is different and larger
Because the Iron Throne in “House of the Dragon” is still a relatively new throne, at about 100 years old at this point, it is larger and more spectacular than on Game of Thrones. This Iron Throne still has the majority of the swords that were reputedly used to build it from the swords of those who submitted to Aegon Targayen during his conquest of Westeros. The number of swords used to build the throne has been debated, with estimates ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand, although the throne of the “House of the Dragon” strongly suggests that it was closer to the higher end of estimates. However, over the course of 200 years, many of the Iron Throne’s blades were taken out, leaving the smaller, more subdued version seen in Game of Thrones.
This alteration was probably made in response to the obvious impracticality of a throne made out of real blades, but it would also have symbolized the waning influence of House Targaryen. This deterioration is directly related to the impending civil war, and much like the dragons’ demise, House Targaryen’s demise is heralded by the Iron Throne’s transformation. However, the Targaryens are still at the height of their power in Season 1 of “House of the Dragon,” as seen by their enormous and formidable Iron Throne.
Change Is A Part Of The Iron Throne Of The “House of the Dragon’s” Narrative
A more perilous throne is the Iron Throne seen in “House of the Dragon.” Not merely in the sense that occupying the Iron Throne entails taking on the role of ruling, but also literally. Sitting on the Iron Throne is not enjoyable, and if one were to get cut by one of its numerous razor blades, it might even be painful. Aegon I purposefully made the Iron Throne a terribly uncomfortable seat because he believed that “a monarch should never sit easy” on it. In a way, the throne is a test for its monarchs, and the only ones who maintain composure and don’t get comfortable will survive.
In the “House of the Dragon” season 1 premiere, King Viserys makes reference to being wounded by the Iron Throne when he accuses the throne of causing a gash on his back that won’t heal. He also slashes his hand on the throne again after banishing Daemon. The Iron Throne has historically played a fairly sinister role in Game of Thrones symbolically. Its power or the pursuit of it frequently led to the corruption of those who wanted it, but in “House of the Dragon,” the Iron Throne plays an even more prominent role. When people who sit atop it are proven to be inadequate, it judges them and punishes them.
Comparison Between “House of the Dragon’s” Iron Throne and the Books
Although “House of the Dragon’s” depiction of the Iron Throne is close to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novel, it is not a replica. The artwork by French artist Marc Simonetti, with whom Martin collaborated on an official illustration for the book The World of Ice and Fire, is the best illustration of how Martin portrays the throne (above). The Iron Throne in the novels is significantly larger than either of the television shows’ versions. Those who sit on it are elevated to a height of over ten feet above everyone else in the throne room. It’s also lot simpler to accept that 1,000 swords from Aegon’s vanquished enemies were used to make it.
For Game of Thrones and “House of the Dragon,” it wasn’t possible or practical to build an Iron Throne that was exactly like the one in the books. However, their version is closer because it has many more swords and lines the steps up to the seat with them. Even while it doesn’t quite match the genuine magnitude of the monstrosity portrayed in the A Song of Ice and Fire books, this at least conjures up a similar threatening presence to Martin’s Iron Throne.
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