Margaery Tyrell

Margaery Tyrell
A Song of Ice and Fire character
File:Margaery Tyrell Promotional Image.jpg HBO promotional still of Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell
First appearance	Novel: A Clash of Kings (1998) Television: "What Is Dead May Never Die" (2012)
Created by	George R. R. Martin
Portrayed by	Natalie Dormer Game of Thrones
In-universe information
Alias	The Little Queen Maid Margaery
Gender	Female
Title	Queen of the Seven Kingdoms
Family	House Tyrell
Relatives	Mace Tyrell (father) Alerie Tyrell (mother) Loras Tyrell (brother) Garlan Tyrell (brother) Willas Tyrell (brother) Luther Tyrell (grandfather) Olenna Tyrell (grandmother)
Nationality	Westerosi

Margaery Tyrell /ˈmɑːrdʒəri tɪˈrɛl/ is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of high fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones. Though a supporting character in the books, she is a more prominent player in the HBO series, where she is portrayed by Natalie Dormer. Margaery is first mentioned in A Game of Thrones (1996) and first appears in A Clash of Kings (1998).

Character profile

Family and background

Margaery is the only daughter of Alerie Hightower and Mace Tyrell, the Lord of Highgarden in the Reach. Her older brothers are the heir Willas, Garlan and Loras the Knight of Flowers, who is a member of the Kingsguard. The most wealthy family in Westeros and one of the most powerful, House Tyrell is actually guided by the willful Lady Olenna, Mace's mother, who has arranged Margaery's marriages and mentors her in politics and court intrigue.

Storylines

Character in A Song of Ice and Fire

Margaery appears in A Clash of Kings, where we learn she has wed Renly Baratheon, a union that signifies her family's support for Renly's claim to the Iron Throne. After Renly's assassination, the Tyrells switch allegiance and Margaery is instead offered to wed King Joffrey Baratheon. In A Storm of Swords Margaery takes up residence in the palace at King's Landing, and she gains much love from the local people through the charitable activities of herself and her bannermen. Margaery forms an amiable relationship with the King's ex-fiancee Sansa Stark and through Sansa she learns much about Joffrey's true nature. Margaery weds King Joffrey but he is murdered on their wedding night. In A Feast for Crows Margaery marries Joffrey's younger brother, Tommen Baratheon. Margaery remains popular with the people of King's Landing and encourages Tommen to engage in some leadership activities. Margaery enters a bitter power struggle with Tommen's mother Cersei over influence on Tommen. Cersei eventually schemes to have Margaery framed for adultery and has her arrested. In A Dance with Dragons Margaery is released from prison placed under house arrest, where she awaits trial.

Character in Game of Thrones

Margaery's backstory and overall story have, as of the show's third season, remained largely unchanged from the books, with the major difference being that her prominence has been greatly increased for the screen. Margaery first appears in the second season, following her marriage to Renly. Margaery's season 2 appearances establish that she is well aware that her marriage is a political one, and displays pragmatism regarding Renly's homosexuality and his relationship with her brother Loras. Following Renly's assassination, Margaery indicates to Littlefinger that she is aware her erstwhile brother-in-law, Stannis Baratheon, is more likely to be behind the assassination than Brienne of Tarth. She also makes it clear that her ambition is to be the Queen of Westeros, and will not settle for anything less.

In season 3, Margaery has relocated to King's Landing and taken up residence in the Red Keep. Margaery swiftly proves that she is one of the few people capable of dealing with Joffrey, and becomes a foil to Cersei, who as in the books despises Margaery. The series also expands on Margaery's relationship with Sansa Stark, establishing a friendship between the two, although as Sansa is the legal heir to the North, Margaery and the Tyrells stand to benefit as much as anyone from such a friendship.

Reception

A Song of Ice and Fire

Adam Whitehead of the wertzone feels Margaery's rivalry with Cersei is a major driving force in A Feast for Crows. Hahn Nguyen of wickedlocal.com feels that Margaery is a background character whose cunning is only addressed subtly. She states that; "In the books, I felt [Margaery] was just pushed to the background. A pawn," and "Margaery's cunning was hinted at in the books, especially in her lunch with Lady Olenna and Sansa." In a similar vein, Sean T. Collins writing for Rolling Stone feels that author Martin has been vague about Margaery's ambition and political cunning and describes her as a; "mute mystery whose motives and level of involvement in the game of thrones are unknown [by A Clash of Kings]" However other writers feel Margaery's political ambition is more obvious. Madeline of Feministing writes; "Margaery is an ambitious politico as well as being a damn good actress – she plays the part of the tragic, virginal twice-widow so well that almost no one suspects that she is dead set on winning the throne. Despite frequently being used as a bartering chip, Margaery uses her womanhood to her advantage, knowing that producing an heir will shoot her to power." Similarly Danica Liu writing for The Duke Chronicle describes Margaery as "subtle and graceful" and like most of the women in A Song of Ice and Fire, deals in the currencies of power. Feminist writer, Rhiannon of feministfiction describes her feelings towards the character as "indifferent" and feels the TV version of the character is more interesting.

Game of Thrones

David Sims writing for The AV Club enjoyed the introduction of Margaery's character in What Is Dead May Never Die commenting; "the fun twist to this plot is that Margaery Tyrell is obviously not the blushing maiden she appears to be, but an operator just like everyone else," and "Margaery could just be a cypher, a mostly silent cog in Renly's plans for dominance, but instead she's going to be a lot more." He uses her character to praise the writing of Game of Thrones, stating that it; "rarely traffics in cliched characterization." Jenna Busch of Zap2it calls Margaery a "power player" who will "do anything to stay on the throne." Writer and editor Silvia Moreno Garcia describes Margaery as "a sleeker, more determined player of this game of thrones" when compared to her book characterization and goes on to comment that she is a "shrewd politician," who might give the other good players a run for their money." She also believes she is "older and wordlier than the one in the books." In "Valar Dohaeris," Diana Huang of UC Riverside's Highlander News appreciated the development of Margaery's character and called her "self aware and quick-witted" and believes she has the power to wreak havoc in King's Landing.

Many commentators notice Margaery's desire and ability to gain the support of the public. Rhiannon of feministfiction writes; "this Margaery is ambitious but kind, clearly sweet and generous, but also a master at working people's emotions in her favor. Graceful, elegant, and aware of how powerful every word can be. She's an expert at the game that Sansa has only just begun, and it is stunning to see her." Tiffany Brown, writing for TV After Dark, states "Margaery has gained the favor and love of the people of King's Landing, and has even garnered the affections of her future king." Natalie Dormer, the actress who plays Margaery, when interviewed by HitFix discussed Margaery's political savviness:

Margaery brings this whole new element to the Game that you haven't seen before, which is basically PR. It's quite a modern ethos on PR and courting public affections, hopefully. We've all seen politicians kiss babies. It doesn't mean that she's insincere in her genuine hope to do charitable work and it's just an interesting new comment on how you handle the masses and how you win power that maybe we haven't seen in Westeros before.

She also noted that Margaery comes from a matriarchal family and "that she's more cut from the cloth as a protegee of her grandmother, so she knows what it's like for a woman to be in charge."

Family tree of House Tyrell

Family tree of House Tyrell
Luthor Olenna Redwyne Gormon Garth Moryn Mace Alerie Hightower Janna Jon Fossoway Mina Paxter Redwyne Garse Flowers Garrett Flowers Luthor Elyn Norridge Leo "The Lazy" Willas Garlan Leonette Fossoway Horas Redwyne Hobber Redwyne Desmera Redwyne Theodore Lia Serry Olene Leo Blackbar Medwick Loras Margaery Renly Baratheon Elinor Luthor Joffrey Baratheon Tommen Baratheon
Notes: