Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King or King Scab, served as the Iron Throne's seventeenth and final ruler in one of the most watched television series, Game of Thrones.
House Targaryen, like the majority of the noble families that split off from the Old Valyrian tree, was more prone to diseases as a result of their practice of inbreeding. Many of their offspring did not live to adulthood, and those who did, like Aerys II, frequently inherited psychological disorders.
After his father was killed in a fire that also nearly extinguished the Targaryen line, Aerys' madness started to take hold of him. While this was going on, Aerys' sister-wife Rhaella experienced an alarming number of miscarriages and stillbirths, and Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), his successful Hand, made Aerys envious and uneasy. Initially a charming and charismatic war hero, he was assassinated by Ser Jaime Lannister, a member of his own Kingsguard, which ended his reign.
How did Aerys II go mad?
According to Game of Thrones fan theories, the Mad King's insanity was caused by Bran Stark's warging into him because Bran had already had an impact on Hodor after having a vision of Aerys. That, however, ignores all the life-altering experiences that the Targaryen King endured, and the reason for his madness is never fully explained in the series.
After being abducted by Lord Denys Darklyn over a tax dispute, Aerys killed every member of House Darklyn, earning him the title of "Mad King." Aerys remained in the Red Keep for years after that because he believed King's Landing was populated by traitors. Aerys became more distrustful of the Lannisters as a result of his isolation, and he also developed a taste for violent murder and went without food for fear of being poisoned. Aerys even made the threat to blow up King's Landing, if his sovereignty or jurisdiction was ever to be challenged by any one else.
What is the plot of Game of Thrones?
The Song of Ice and Fire, a series of books by George R.R. Martin, is the inspiration for this epic television show from HBO. The Game of Thrones can be broken down into three storylines -
The longest section of the book describes how the aristocratic Stark family navigates conspiracies and court intrigue in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, with a focus on Eddard Stark, the family's patriarch and head of household.
The exiled princess Daenerys, one of the final members of the former royal family, is followed as she grows up in a second story.
A third tale follows Jon Snow, Eddard Stark's son by another woman, as he develops in the north of Westeros. He is a member of the Night's Watch, an elite military group whose mission it is to defend the civilized Seven Kingdoms from threats on the other side of the Wall.
How many seasons of Game of Thrones are there?
The HBO fantasy series which was adapted from George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series, followed the conflicts and politics on the continent of Westeros and elsewhere over the course of eight seasons.
FAQs
Q. Is there a prequel or sequel to the Game of Thrones?
A. There were talks of the sequel, after the end of the series. However, the producers came with a prequel i.e, House of the Dragon, which has aired its first season.
Q. What is House of the Dragon about?
A. It is based on George R. R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” which revolves around the civil war that took place within the House of Targaryen.
Q. Does House of the Dragon have any reference to the Mad King?
A. The events of the House of the Dragon occurred nearly 172 years before the Mad King and 200 years before Game of Thrones.
Q. Was the Mad King really mad?
A. Insanity is quite a common trait in the Targaryens due to incestuous relationships they have from generations, besides other health related issues. However, Aerys really sets a bar as he threatens to blow up King's Landing, and of course has slaughtered the whole of Darklyn house.
