Why didn’t Daenerys want to marry Khal Drogo?
Table of Contents
Daenerys Targaryen, a major character in the "Game of Thrones" saga, is first introduced to us as a young woman living in exile, forced to depend on her older brother Viserys Targaryen. Viserys, in his obsessive quest to regain the Iron Throne, arranges for Daenerys to marry Khal Drogo, a powerful warlord of the nomadic Dothraki people. This marriage is brokered by the manipulative Illyrio Mopatis in exchange for the support of Drogo's vast army in Viserys's bid to reclaim their birthright.
The decision is met with visible displeasure by Daenerys, who voices her objection to this arrangement. Understanding Daenerys' reluctance requires an analysis of her emotional state, her character's motivations, and the circumstances surrounding this arranged marriage.
A Marriage Devoid of Love and Consent
Daenerys is just a teenager when she is promised to Khal Drogo. She's had little agency in her life thus far, and this arranged marriage is another example of her desires and feelings being disregarded. In a culture that allows marital rape and doesn't recognize the importance of consent, Daenerys is coerced into marrying a man she doesn't know and has never met before. This lack of agency, coupled with the fear of the unknown, contributes significantly to Daenerys' objection to the marriage.
Cultural Differences and Fear
The Dothraki are a fierce, warlike people, vastly different from the Targaryens or any other Westerosi house. They are known for their brutal and violent ways, with a distinct cultural and societal structure. For a young woman like Daenerys, who has lived a relatively sheltered life, the prospect of marrying into such a radically different culture is intimidating and terrifying. Her fear of the unknown and unfamiliar, along with the negative rumors surrounding the Dothraki people, undoubtedly play a significant role in her objection to the marriage.
Her Brother’s Cruelty
Daenerys's relationship with her brother Viserys is another important factor. From the beginning, it is clear that Viserys is manipulative and cruel, viewing Daenerys as a commodity he can use to achieve his goal of reclaiming the throne. He has no qualms about forcing his sister into an unwanted marriage, even saying that he would let the entire Dothraki horde and their horses rape her if it meant getting his throne back. Viserys's blatant disregard for Daenerys's well-being and comfort and his willingness to sacrifice her happiness for his ambitions naturally stir feelings of resentment and objection in Daenerys.
A Pawn in the Game of Thrones
Daenerys is keenly aware that she is being used as a pawn in her brother's power game. She is traded off to Drogo in exchange for an army, her desires and feelings are ignored, and she is pushed into a life that she has no control over. This loss of control over her own destiny, coupled with the understanding that she is being used, intensifies her objections to the marriage.
The early life of Daenerys Targaryen is marked by feelings of being a stranger in strange lands, objectified, and commodified for the ambitions of others. Yet, her reluctance to marry Khal Drogo is the first significant sign of her longing for control over her own life, and a sense of personal agency, which would be a recurring theme throughout her arc in the series. Despite her initial fear and objections, Daenerys grows to navigate her circumstances with courage, adaptability, and an indomitable will. The reluctant young girl will eventually evolve into a powerful queen, proving that she is indeed a dragon, a survivor, and a player in the Game of Thrones.
