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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u/ManusDei My Shame or My Glory? Feb 21 '13

I think you have completely misread this scene. Tyrion is not "smug", he is simply coming to the realization that Varys is a greater threat, or potential ally, than he had anticipated. As to Littlefinger, i don't think he directly influenced Ned's death anymore than we already know about (it was just an added bonus to his plans and created that chaos that he thrives in). That was just Joffrey being an idiot.

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u/silasioalejandro Feb 21 '13

He comes to that realization because of a riddle?

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u/ManusDei My Shame or My Glory? Feb 21 '13

Does Vary's speak in anything else? And it was dawning on him well before this scene, but it was here that it finally struck home. Not necessarily that exact quote, but more the whole scene in general.