Matching 50 Game of Thrones characters with 50 European countries

Greece: Ned Stark

Earlier, I pointed out that Stannis Baratheon’s story is practically a retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Likewise, Ned Stark’s story resembles a classic Greek tragedy. The most instantly recognizable hallmarks of the genre? The downfall of a well-loved hero through a fateful error in judgement.

We all remember the painful downfall of Ned Stark back in season 1. Kind and fair, Ned captured our hearts from the start. He was a caring father, a thoughtful lord and a loving husband. He wanted the best for his family and his people, and was willing to make personal sacrifices in the name of what was right.

Unfortunately, it was this purity that ultimately got him killed. He trusted that people like Littlefinger would help him confront the Lannisters and secure the throne for Stannis, the rightful king, but he put far more stock in the importance of doing the right thing than the people around him. Littlefinger betrayed him, Cersei imprisoned him, and Joffrey executed him on the steps of the Great Sept of Baelor.

Also, Ned’s political tactics suggest he would make a good Greek. Whatever his faults, it’s hard to condemn a man who labored tirelessly for ideals bigger than he was. Historically, Grecians also held lofty ideals about the role of government and life in general; its philosophers produced a tradition of thought still influential today.