Well then, now we’re alone, let me explain why Princess Shireen Baratheon had to be burned alive.
And yeah, I’m aware that her death was suggested by GRRM and this means Shireen is not going to long for the print canon either, I get that, it makes sense given her situation in the books. I don’t particularly think that it was massively out of character for Stannis to do this either. Admittedly, coming off the father/daughter scenes in previous episodes, it’s a little hard to see that change so quickly. And of course, that sequence was horrifically brutal to watch. Even so this all makes sense when you consider what Stannis’s narrative is about, and why this is actually retelling a much older story.
It actually didn’t click with me till this last episode of Game of Thrones. With Shireen’s death, it finally let the penny drop for me about Stannis and why his storyline always feels so disconnected and off compared to everyone else.
You know how there’s that idea that Game Of Thrones is the War of the Roses but with dragons? That’s pretty accurate for how things started out, but Stannis isn’t part of that. Stannis is in his own Greek epic, travelling Westeros to build an army and conquer the kingdoms. He’s even got his own personal oracle telling him his future. Melisandre is the Cassandra of this story, offering her version of the future.
Stannis is the warrior king with his epithets and his journey.
Stannis is Agamemnon and that means that Shireen is poor Iphigenia.
Who is most famous for being sacrificed for the benefit her Father’s glorious journey.
In fact the story is pretty much one to one. Stannis/Agamemnon trapped by the weather, is told that to clear it, he must sacrifice his daughter. Depending on the version, Iphigenia even offers herself, stating that she is mortal and cannot go against the gods will, so she must help. Her mother goes along with this up until the end where she realises her mistake, but he must do what is necessary for the kingdom. And so she is sacrificed, and in the aftermath, Stannis/Agamemnon can move his army onwards to glory. Stannis literally says he’s motivated by destiny.
He can’t fight the fates.
What makes it more explicit is that in the epic, this is happening because Agamemnon pissed off the gods by shooting their stag, Stannis is being punished here by how he killed his stag. Renly died by magic. Almost every victory Stannis has had has been through magic. But just as much, magic led him north. Magic actually put him in the blizzard. magic is trapping him as much as it benefits him.
As for the death of Shireen itself, It helped that Shireen had served her purpose, storywise. Thanks to her, we now know all about greyscale. But Jorah has that covered from this point, so she doesn’t need to be our exposition in that regard. We’ve got a lovely new princess now in Myrcella. and she has a prince as well, so we aren’t going to be pairing Shireen off with any nobles, and her innocent outlook in the narrative can be replaced.
Stannis can’t be torn between his family and his throne, his destiny, especially not with the Boltons running around,. Now he doesn’t have to be. Stannis can make his move, have his army, be the king.
He would do well to remember his counterpart though. Agamemnon suffered for the sacrifice of Iphigenia. He was murdered by his wife as a result of both the sacrifice of his daughter, and her jealousy of Cassandra. Stannis would do well to pay heed.
Selyse didn’t seem to take Shireen’s death as well as her belief in the Lord of Light would suggest, and we know she has issues with Melisandre. The Boltons are awful. The Night King is terrifying. But Selyse Baratheon is broken and alone and in mourning for her child. And that’s the most dangerous threat of all.