Armor Yourself In It: Tyrion Doesn't Like Being Demonized Despite Telling Jon to Identify as a Bastard the Same Way he Identifies as a Dwarf
- Dec 30, 2025
- 1 min read
Tyrion's Rejection of a Demon Helm Belies a Lack of Consistency Regarding His Advice to Jon. I have yet to draw conclusions about what this might mean in the story. Current guess: Tyrion's Scapegoat Complex is less in hand than he thinks.
"Let me give you some counsel, bastard," Lannister said. "Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you." - A Game of Thrones - Jon I
89 ACOK 16 Tyrion III: When the armorer Salloreon offers to make Tyrion a set of demon armor, Tyrion is only disappointed at being demonized.
"Plate and scale, I think. The scales gilded bright as the sun, the plate enameled a deep Lannister crimson. I would suggest a demon's head for a helm, crowned with tall golden horns. When you ride into battle, men will shrink away in fear."
A demon's head, Tyrion thought ruefully, now what does that say of me? "Master Salloreon, I plan to fight the rest of my battles from this chair. It's links I need, not demon horns. So let me put it to you this way. You will make chains, or you will wear them. The choice is yours." He rose, and took his leave with nary a backward glance. - A Clash of Kings - Tyrion III