It is unclear whether daemon loves Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon or whether he sees her as a way of increasing his claim to the Iron Throne.
There are many things that make the House of the Dragon series so successful, but there are also elements in the show that can be uncomfortable to watch.
One of these instances includes the relationship between Daemon and his niece, Rhaenyra. Although it is unclear whether Daemon truly loves Rhaenyra, it is plain that these two characters’ stories will always be intertwined with each other.
What can you expect from House of the Dragon?
Although the House of the Dragon series introduces all-new characters from the George R. R. Martin novel, Fire and Blood, and focuses on a brand new storyline as the Targaryen siblings fight for power over the kingdom, the show still features the same measure of intrigue, drama, and strategy that Game of Thrones did.
As with the original series, much of the suspense, betrayal, character development, and intrigue in the show comes from exceptional violence, manipulation, double-crossing, murder, and even some uncomfortable and shocking ways in which some of the show’s characters interact with each other.
House of the Dragon: Does Daemon love Rhaenyra?
One of the specific instances that left viewers a bit confused about whether they were interpreting the signs correctly, is the odd relationship between Daemon Targaryen and his niece, Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Most viewers noticed an undeniable connection and chemistry between the two initially in the first episode where Daemon handed Rhaenyra a necklace.
This chemistry was then once again confirmed in episode two, and even later in the fifth episode, in which the characters are slightly older.
You will know from both of the Game of Thrones series, where Cersei and Jamie hide their relationship from the world and also from Westerosi tradition in the House of the Dragon series, that incest is generally frowned upon.
However, the Targaryens seem to be a quiet exception to this rule. In fact, there have been many examples of Targaryen marriages between family members throughout history, which are done as a means to keep their Valyrian bloodline pure.
Even so, the obvious attraction between Daemon and Rhaenyra is shocking to witness and what shocked fans of the show even more was that Daemon did not deny that anything happened between him and Rhaenyra in Flea Bottom when her father, Viserys, confronted him about it the next morning.
Although it is evident by the end of the first season of the show that Rhaenyra is quite besotted with Daemon, it is not quite clear whether he really loves her or whether he just sees her as a good opportunity to get his hands on the throne.
As if relations between family members is not complicated enough, if you go by the lore in the novels, Daemon and Rhaenyra do end up married to each other in the end after many murders and a considerable amount of plotting.
What happens when Viserys finds out about Daemon and Rhaenyra?
When Viserys drags Daemon out of bed after word had spread about this strange relationship, Daemon practically begs Viserys to let him marry Rhaenyra, but it is still unclear what his true intentions are in this case.
Viserys refuses this, more likely because Viserys is already married and marrying Rhaenyra would give him too high a claim to the throne than because they are niece and uncle.
Rhaenyra goes on to marry Ser Laenor Velaryon after her father threatens to disown her if she marries Daemon, and the couple has three children.
Daemon goes on to marry Laena Velaryon after his first wife dies, but much like in the series, Daemon and Rhaenyra do end up together eventually in the books.
Why is it so unclear whether Daemon truly loves Rhaenyra?
From the chemistry between the couple, it is easy to accept that Daemon simply and truly loves Rhaenyra. However, Daemon has already proved that he is not a loyal man and that he would do almost anything for power.
Rhaenyra shared many of these underhanded and cunning characteristics and although this makes the pair a somewhat perfect match, it could also mean that since they both have a claim to the Iron Throne, Daemon is only trying to increase his own chance to gain power by marrying Rhaenyra.
How does the relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra end in the books?
In the books, Laena and Laenor die in the same year, which leaves Daemon and Rhaenyra free to finally get married. They do end up tying the knot in a secret ceremony on Dragonstone later on, out of fear of what Viserys may do.
 |
| Buy it on Amazon |