Varys: The Ambition of Secrets | Character Analysis | ASOIAF

If a whisper crossed into the borders of Westeros, it would find its way to King’s Landing. Any rumor, tall tale, or sailor’s story found its way to the small council and to the king himself, usually by way of a single person. This person was Varys. Hello everyone, and welcome back to Exploring Fiction. Born to poverty, Lord Varys rose all the way to one of the most important positions in the world by way of collecting and distributing secrets. He was a plotter and a schemer, but also an individual full of knowledge unknown to his peers. Riding the tide of the word of mouth, Varys ascended to great importance, and developed his own aspirations beside. So, who exactly is Varys, and why is he such an interesting character? Let’s explore…
Disclaimer: The art used in this video does not belong to me, and is intended to fall under Fair Use.
0:00 Introduction
1:04 Background
2:35 Alliance in Pentos (Background)
3:50 Employment in Westeros (Background)
7:02 Allies & Enemies
7:49 Foul Conspiracy
8:27 Footsteps in Shadow & Ruthless Orders
9:22 The Spider & The Wolf
11:02 The Spider & The Imp
12:59 Aftermath of Fire
13:40 No Friends in Court
14:07 Before Gods & Men
14:35 Secrets of the Spider
15:39 Secret Ploys
16:31 Fraud?
17:02 Across the Sea & Another Dragon
18:20 Good Men on Bad Sides
19:47 Analysis
22:30 Conclusion
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Music:
Magic Forest - Kevin MacLeod
Sad Cinematic - Liborio Conti
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#asoiaf #varys #analysis #asongoficeandfire #gameofthrones #characteranalysis #georgerrmartin #stark #lannister #ironthrone #baratheon #kingslanding #targaryen

[@Shane2sweet1]

I don't believe Varys is honest about his youth in Lys... Why did the sorcerer want him so badly that he made Varys's master an offer he couldn't refuse? I mean, there's probably thousands of orphan boys running the streets of Lys this sorcerer could've used for free... Why Varys? Because he's a Blackfyre and there's power in kings blood. Young Griff is likely to be his nephew or cousin or some family relationship and that's his goal is to get a Blackfyre on the throne. He lies when he says he's a servant of the realm, he's got one goal that motivates him and that's Aegon/Young Griff.

[@cars81434]

I like a theory where Varys and Serra are like siblings that live in Lys but got separated as kids. Serra becoming a prostitute and Varys having to go on his young life alone or that they both needed to work in order to survive. Then stuff happens and more so with Illyrio in the fray and met Serra that he falls for her. Everyone is living decently well off but maybe a plan starts to form either some years before or after Serra died. Their plans of reinstating a Blackfyre on the Iron throne with Young Griff.

[@Vonn_Loren]

So you know, "gaoler" is the British spelling of "jailer" and it's said the same way. I ran into this while reading "Dancers at the End of Time" and looked it up 👍

[@ExploringFiction]

I honestly had no idea. Never would've thought that. Thanks!

[@HaroldTheHerald]

Not including young griff into the show made varys storyline so pointless. Blackfire ✊

[@eurongreyjoy1008]

true

[@ScarlitWidow]

A lot of things that were left out made many plotlines pointless. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@guardduvie]

@@ScarlitWidow The first omission that really derailed things was Lady Stoneheart.

[@Pooki2024]

*blackfyre

[@ScarlitWidow]

@@Pooki2024 indeed! That's what I get for being a listener and not a reader. Thank you!

[@Callisto_Arcas]

Another great character commentary! I have to say, I liked Varys in the show. But, once I read the books, my perceptions slowly changed. It seems to me that he has caused more chaos than his supposed quest for peace. It doesn't make sense that he wants peace for the realm yet he helped Aerys at every turn. If peace is really what he wanted, he could've helped Rhaegar instead. (I also don't believe young Griff is the real Aegon). Thank you again for your great videos! I very much enjoy them and look forward to them!

[@ExploringFiction]

Thanks for watching once again!

[@billberndtson]

Happy Holidays! I'm digging your content - keep it comin'! 😃

[@ExploringFiction]

Thank you so much and same to you!

[@christophertracy7136]

Those secret passages could've been used by Arya using her faces 2 kill Cersei before the 🔔 bells rang! This is such an abandoned plotline from S8!

[@bryanboobaby]

Wonderful 😢❤

[@deldel5204]

Great video.

[@ExploringFiction]

Thanks!

[@overcomingidiocracy]

Good narration

[@ExploringFiction]

Thank you!

[@christophertracy7136]

I hated how Varys was burned 2 death but Dany told him that if he betrayed her she'd burned him alive! So she should've burned Tyrion 2!

[@ExploringFiction]

Yeah Varys was one of the most poorly handled characters in S8, and that's saying something.

[@eurongreyjoy1008]

i want to meet varys

[@RedWinter21]

I wonder if he was bald before the operation or after?

[@gentlesavage2068]

do you think varys' character could be inspired by thufir hawat from dune?

[@nicokrasnow1851]

Maybe, I was about to say that he's closer to Piter de Vries, but the twisted mentat fits more with Littlefinger, so we could see as a Hawat-ish figure. I definetly see Danaerys and Bran as two halves of the Kwisazt Haderach journey

[@MuneemIslam]

Pretty sure Dany is Aegon's aunt, not cousin.

[@ExploringFiction]

Yeah, looks like I might've just made a slip-up there

[@corey2justified1]

Cersi is Lancels cousin, not his sister

[@ExploringFiction]

The wording there was a bit off. By "his" sister, I was referring to Tyrion, but like I said, worded a bit awkwardly.

[@dakotajohnson6597]

Little mice 😂

[@alexmarkadonis7179]

Yes. Varys called his informants mice prior to coming to King's Landing. Once in King's Landing, he started calling them birds.