#fantasy protagonist is not only a role earned but also arguably The Curse

[hylialeia]

not going to bug people in the tags but it is (legitimately!) interesting to see a character in asoiaf who is so clearly meant to be the traditional fantasy red herring chosen prince, and to see people - including the readers! - gravitate towards that romanticism, often unquestioning. I think one of asoiaf's major motifs being "ruling is hard" (see GRRM's thoughts on Tolkien) and that consistently showing up across every pov regardless of their morality or ideals or circumstances, yet both people in universe and in fanbase stalwartly believing that surely this does not or will not apply to their ruler... now, that IS fascinating

#we are not immune from wanting it to be Just Like In The Songs #suffice to say I like aegon a lot but him not being the mc isn't his tragic flaw #he's full of flaws (see: cyvesse game with tyrion) which would not have been non-issues on the throne #narratively though it is his downfall to exist in the wrong story as an element to explore and subvert and chew it down to the bone #BUT. perfect king is not and never has been how grrm roles #fantasy protagonist is not only a role earned but also arguably The Curse #and king/queen is a role inherently poisonous. the throne cuts everyone the dragonfire burns everything etc etc #asoiaf #asoiaf meta