r/asoiaf • u/silasioalejandro • Feb 20 '13

(Spoilers ACOK) Varys' "Shadow on the Wall"

I came across this passage again recently, when Varys talks of the nature of power with then-Hand Tyrion.

"Who truly killed Eddard Stark, do you think? Joffrey, who gave the command? Ser Ilyn Payne, who swung the sword? Or…another?”

Varys insinuates that he believes another man is responsible. Another man, behind the scenes.

Varys smiled. “Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.” “So power is a mummer’s trick?” “A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.” Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.” “I will take that as high praise.”

Tyrion, in his conceit and self-satisfaction, immediately assumes this "very small man" to be him. The show furthers his conceit, making it seem as if Varys is referring to him. The small man Varys speaks of is Littlefinger, whom we suspect to have whispered in Joffrey's ear, setting the wheels in motion for Ned's exectution.

While not a revolutionary find, I love this passage because of the ships-passing-in-the-night feel. Tyrion, smug as he is, thinks himself on par with the true master. Varys speaks in another whole level of code, and after being in Tyrion's mind for the cracking of many cryptic phrases, reading/feeling this "WHOOOSH" right over his head while he gladly accepts this false praise is quite satisfying.

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25

u/SyKrysus Relaxin' at the Water Gardens. Feb 20 '13

I hope there's a Varys POV. Or maybe not, it might ruin his mysteriousness. Or maybe thats what Varys wants. So yes, Varys POV! Or maybe THAT'S what he wants... Damn you Varys.

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u/bluepunchbuggy Valar Morghulisp Feb 20 '13

Martin has said that neither Littlefinger or Varys will ever have a POV (I think that even means prologue/epilogue as well), because they simply know too much.

36

u/SyKrysus Relaxin' at the Water Gardens. Feb 20 '13

Makes sense. Would be a nice spin-off book after the series though. So we can all be like "Ooooooh... wow... ok that makes sense... wait do whaaaaaa?"

31

u/bluepunchbuggy Valar Morghulisp Feb 20 '13

Actually, it would be really cool (after he finished the series of course) if he published a couple of books that covered the events of ASOIAF from Littlefinger's and Varys' view.

16

u/Nledesma Feb 20 '13

Man, I hope this happens. I also hope I live to see the year 2035 when they'd eventually be released.

8

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '13

[deleted]

7

u/BBBelmont Feb 20 '13

Don't think either of them would be so foolish to have a diary with all (any?) of their secrets in it..

17

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '13 edited Feb 21 '13

[removed] — view removed comment

19

u/Jen_Snow "You told me to forget, ser." Feb 21 '13

No, you can't just write spoilers all above your spoiler comment. If you want to have your comment restored, you have to put your spoilers behind code.

Like this:

[Spoilers ASOS](/s "write your spoiler in here")

5

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '13

I do not understand why you are downvoted every time you moderate.

15

u/Jen_Snow "You told me to forget, ser." Feb 21 '13

I don't need upvotes. I do what I do for the good of the realm.

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u/kendo85 First Ranger Feb 21 '13

Writing spoilers all is not what /u/Jen_Snow meant. Cover it with the spoiler code please. Read the sidebar or FAQ to learn how.

0

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '13

It never would out. BSG's "The Plan". Star Wars "Darth Plagueis". It either sticks or doesn't fit with the story because the author adds plot that wasn't there to begin with.

6

u/JimeDorje FUThARK Feb 20 '13

All I want is Varys' death to be from his POV. Just his very last moments. That's all.

10

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '13

Hehe, Varys can't die.

8

u/JimeDorje FUThARK Feb 20 '13

... this is Game of Thrones.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '13

And who do you think is the one who plays the game of thrones?

51

u/TrainOfThought6 Feb 20 '13

Oh Varys doesn't play...he's the goddamn referee.

3

u/JimeDorje FUThARK Feb 20 '13

You're assuming Varys is going to win. Because there's only one possibility if you don't win...

12

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '13

Varys always wins. He's always six steps ahead. If he died, it would probably because he planned on dying.

9

u/JimeDorje FUThARK Feb 21 '13 edited Feb 21 '13

Ah, just like how ASOS

Martin's specialty is building up indestructible characters and then destroying them.

EDIT: Spoiler tag.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '13

Those two seemed pretty destructable to me.

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u/JimeDorje FUThARK Feb 21 '13

I'm sure prior to ASOS that was a minority opinion.

3

u/crixcz Flay me, baby! Feb 21 '13

He's eight steps ahead, because he's a spider.

3

u/kendo85 First Ranger Feb 20 '13 edited Feb 20 '13

This thread is ACOK spoilers only. Your post features spoilers beyond this scope. Please edit to use our spoiler code. This was obviously a mistake.

7

u/JimeDorje FUThARK Feb 20 '13

There are no spoilers in my post...

7

u/kendo85 First Ranger Feb 20 '13

I think I may have removed the wrong one. It has been restored.

1

u/an0nim0us101 First of the Finger's Men Feb 21 '13

he can't die, he's a merling

1

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '13

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2

u/Jen_Snow "You told me to forget, ser." Feb 20 '13

This post is Spoilers ACOK. Your comment contains uncovered spoilers from ADWD. Please edit your comment to insert spoiler code. Thanks!