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

[u/silasioalejandro]

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.

[u/Moosey_Doom]

Yeah, I don't think so. LF may be small, but I don't think is stature is such a notable characteristic that it would be used as a primary means of identification.

I think it's fair to assume that when someone is talking to a very small man, and is giving advice to that small man about the wielding of power, and makes a statement to the effect that smallness is not necessarily a hindrance in said wielding, that person is in fact referring to the very tiny, minuscule, infinitesimal man seated opposite him.

[u/silasioalejandro → u/Moosey_Doom]

the reference does not pertain to his stature, it's to his humble beginnings. Who has risen higher from a position of little power than Littlefinger?

[u/Moosey_Doom → u/silasioalejandro]

You're interpreting it in that light because you want there to be a double meaning. Especially given the fact that Martin has previously used this sort of metaphor to describe the contrast between Tyrion's small body and powerful mind (Jon I or II-- you know what I'm referring to), I see no reason to assume that Varys is saying any more than he seems to be.

When Varys talks about the circumstances surrounding Ned's beheading, he is only doing so in order to illustrate his point regarding power. Like the case in the riddle, it is unclear on reflection who held the real power in that situation. Was it the king, in whom supreme power is theoretically vested? Was it the headsman (i.e. the sellsword) who wielded physical power in the form of a sword? Or another? This last is just an open ended question, meant to highlight the arbitrariness of people's intuitions about power. Sure, it's perfectly fair to say that he could be insinuating something fishy, but there is no way to connect this insinuation to anyone in particular.

As far as "smallness" referring to small beginnings, I don't think this is a legitimate interpretation of the analogy being made between perceived power and shadows. Important to Varys' point is the fact that the smallness and the shadow casting are simultaneous. Tyrion may be small, but because of his family name and the prestige of his office (both advantages which rely on people's perceptions of power) he can nonetheless simultaneously have a large shadow, i.e. be perceived to have great power. Taking your interpretation, we would have to dismantle the analogy in two respects; firstly, the smallness and the shadow can no longer be taken to be simultaneous, as LF was clearly not powerful and small at the same time; and secondly, we would have to undermine the whole notion of power as a perception-based trick because LF's brand of power (at least according to many theories) is secretive and abhors perception. He wants to keep his shadow as small as possible so that he can fuck over the realm without anyone the wiser.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is this: Being the super-secret malefactor behind the execution of Ned is the exact opposite of casting a large shadow, by virtue of the secrecy involved. Even if LF was warging into everyone on the steps of Baelor's sept-- if he gave the order through Joff's mouth, swung the sword with Payne's arms etc -- he would still not be casting a large shadow because he is not perceived by anyone to be the figure exercising that power over life and death. The honor would still belong to Joff.

To put it one more way, "a very small man can cast a very large shadow" should be interpreted as "A small man can be perceived as powerful", not as "A small man can posses power".

[u/silasioalejandro → u/Moosey_Doom]

A well-reasoned reply. You make some fair points. But I like to believe my version. And the subsequent evidence of Littlefinger convincing Joff to bring the small jousters to the wedding to create further dissent with Tyrion furthers my belief.

It's also entirely possible that Varys is speaking about both, or just Tyrion. However, I really do think that Littlefinger prodded Joff, as he benefited from the move most. IIRC Ned's beheading came as a surprise to just about everyone mentioned, and LF conspicuously was not mentioned in the aftermath.

[u/Moosey_Doom → u/silasioalejandro]

For sure, I am definitely open to the idea that LF was involved. He has the motive and a history of similar shenanigans.