Every Time We See Barristan He Is Bold

This is just a list of Barristan's on screen moments. I hope its complete. I find it exceedingly consistent that Barristan is always depicted in the context of his willfullness, often criticizing those he serves, sometimes while seeming to struggle with constraint. In fact, I would say it's Barristan's struggle with self-constraint that is most on display, likely as foreshadowing for his seeming to offer Pentos to the Tattered Prince on Dany's behalf after she expressely rejected the idea. Since he's a minor character, it makes sense that many examples are of his being only slightly bold, unprofessional or unrestrained. It's when you consider how brief and few Barristan's on screen moments are, it's interesting that he always says something, usually something questionable or just plain not in his best interests. Barristan's relationship to his urge to be the heroic maverick who sticks his neck out is like Tyrion's with his mouth.

tl;dr: Barristan's story is of a man struggling to hold his tongue.

16 AGOT Sansa I: Barristan calls the king's brother a prancing jackanapes, something Tyrion might not have gotten away with as skillfully.

17 AGOT Eddard III: Barristan hesitates and lets his reluctance show when he answers Cersei's question about Lady's whereabouts. Note that this man did not have to be Barristan for the scene to work.

“Where is the direwolf?” Cersei Lannister asked when her husband was gone. Beside her, Prince Joffrey was smiling.

“The beast is chained up outside the gatehouse, Your Grace, Ser Barristan Selmy answered reluctantly." 158

That he lets his reluctance show with Cersei in such a mood is unprofessional to reckless.

31 AGOT Eddard VII: Barristan explains to Robert that it would not be sportsmanlike for him to compete, as king, and gets shouted out of the tent.

"Seven hells, Ned, I want to hit someone."

Barristan spoke up. "Your Grace," he said "it is not seemly that the king should ride into the melee. It would not be a fair contest. Who would dare strike you?"

Despite the fact that Ned is the one who explains, Robert rages at Selmy and tells him “Get out before I kill you.” but does not rage at Ned. 305-309

34 AGOT Eddard VIII: In his argument to spare Dany, Barristan cautiously but boldly says it is dishonorable to assassinate an unborn child.

Ser Barristan Selmy raised his pale blue eyes from the table and said, “Your Grace, there is honor in facing an enemy on the battlefield, but none in killing him in his mother's womb. Forgive me, but I must stand with Lord Eddard.” 353

50 AGOT Eddard XIV: Barristan balks at Cersei's coup

“Those were the king's words,” Ser Barristan said, shocked. 528

“Ser, Barristan, seize this traitor.”

The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard hesitated. In the blink of an eye he was surrounded by Stark guardsmen, bare steel in their mailed fists.

While it's likely Barristan's truest motive for hesitating to seize Ned was that he knew he was already surrounded by Stark men, the feeling in the scene is of him standing by Ned in spite of Cersei's order.

58 AGOT Sansa V: During his dismissal, Barristan challenges the remaining members of the kingsguard and tells Joffrey...

137 ACOK 64 Daenerys V: When Barristan saves Dany from the Sorrfowful man's manticore,

167 ASOS 24 Daenerys II: Barristan speaks out against Jorah's plan to purchase Unsullied while Dany is viewing them.

“I call that madness, not courage,” said Arstan Whitebeard

“Sheep are obedient,” said Arstan

“There are other ways to tempt men, besides the flesh,” Arstan Whitebeard objected

“Bricks and blood built Astapor,” Whitebeard murmured at her side, “and bricks and blood her people.”

171 ASOS 28 Daenerys III: Barristan speaks out so problematically and publicly that Dany shuts him down.

Arstan Whitebeard held his tongue as well, when Dany swept by him on the terrace. He followed her down the steps in silence, but she could hear his hardwood staff tap tapping on the red bricks as they went.

186 ASOS 43 Daenerys IV: Barristan struggles to over-praise Rhaegar's tourney skills to the extent Dany expects, frustrating her.

"It is not meet for me to deny His Grace's words..."

"But?" said Dany sharply. "Tell me. I command it."

"Prince Rhaegar's prowess was unquestioned, but he seldom entered the lists. He never loved the song of swords the way Robert did, or Jaime Lannister. It was something he had to do, a task the world had set him. He did it well, for he did everything well. That was his nature. But he took no joy in it. Men said that he loved his harp much better than his lance."

These lines are hilarious when we focus on Barristan's tactfulness. It's such an artful way to say "he was better with a harp." Barristan could have just lied...but that would have offended him.

201 ASOS 58 Daenerys V: After Jorah confronts him as in disguise, Barristan outs Jorah as Varys's.

"Who are you, old man?"

"A better knight than you, ser," Arstan said coldly

215 ASOS 72 Daenerys VI: Barristan approaches Dany to chat when she doesn't want him

She turned to find Ser Barristan behind her. “What more would you have of me, ser? I spared you, I took you into my service, now give me some peace.”

"Forgive me, Your Grace. It was only... now that you know who I am..." The old man hesitated. "A knight of the Kingsguard is in the king's presence day and night. or that reason, our vows require us to protect his secrets as we would his life. But your father's secrets by rights belong to you now, along with his throne, and... I though perhaps you might have questions for me."

283 ADWD 12 Daenerys II: When he tells how he escapes Joffrey

288 ADWD 17 Daenerys III: We actually don't see boldness here, only the constraint of Barristan courteously taking pains not to look at Dany's exposed breast.

"Where is your courage?" Ser Barristan lashed out. "Her Grace freed you from your chains. It is for you to sharpen your swords and defend your own freedom when she leaves."

302 ADWD 31 Daenerys V: Barristan prefers to route the Yunkai'i, seemingly because he thinks it will work.

“You mean to take the field?” The Shavepate's voice was thick with disbelief. “That would be folly. Our walls are taller and thicker than the walls of Astapor, and our defenders are more valiant. The Yunkai'i will not take this city easily.“

Ser Barristan disagreed. “I do not think we should allow them to invest us. Theirs is a patchwork host at best. These slavers are no soldiers. If we take them unawares...”

308 ADWD 37 Daenerys VI: Barristan separates Daario from Dany in court without her requesting

On the day that [Daario] returned from his latest sortie, he had tossed the head of a Yunkish lord at her feet and kissed her for all the world to see, until Ser Barristan Selmy pulled the two of them apart. Ser Grandfather had been so wroth that Dany feared blood might be shed. 620

315 ADWD 44 Daenerys VII: When Barristan tells Dany about her parents

322 ADWD 51 Daenerys VIII: Selmy presses Dany to wed Quentyn

Barristan goes on to recommend against contacting Bloodbeard and to suggest the Dornish path

324 ADWD 53 Daenerys IX: Barristan attempts to guard Dany from seeing Drogon killed, against her wishes. Barristan reports the Tattered Prince's price

Ser Barristan held her tightly. “Look away, Your Grace.”

“Let me go!” Dany twisted from his grasp. 764

327 ADWD 56 The Queensguard: Assumes command

At the Great Pyramid of Meereen, Ser Barristan Selmy assumes temporary commandin Daenerys's absence. He tempers Skahaz and involves Grey Worm until officially relieved of duty by Reznak mo Reznak. Then, Barristan decides to join Skahaz.

331 ADWD 60 The Discarded Knight: Warns Quentyn Selmy recalls the tourney at Harrenhal and regrets he did not unhorse Rhaegar and name Ashara Dayne the queen of love and beauty.

339 ADWD 68 The Kingbreaker: seizes Hizdahr

342 ADWD 71 The Queen's Hand: Barristan seems to disregard Dany's refusal to offer The Tattered Prince his price when he sends the Dornish to petition The Windblown.