Why is Ramsey Snow a character?

[RainGhost]

Because the Ramsay torture means that Theon pays a disproportionate price for his actions, a common theme in the books. And it makes him a sympathetic character even after everything he did. GRRM playing with our allegiances again.

[The Bastard of Walton]

Ramsey is the anti-Jon Snow. He will be Jon's major villain in the end.

Nothing to back that up, but that's what I hope happens. Personally really enjoy Ramsey/Reek arc though.

[Dolorous22]

He's an excellent villain. Worse than Joff and ten times as deadly. You think Joff is bad but then you meet Ramsey who is just so much more.... Refined. The relationship between him and Theon is the only way tto get a good insight as to who Ramsey is and what makes him tick. Not just the physical torture, the mental torture and degradation. Having a POV character such as Theon interactt with Ramsey puts the reader uncomfortably close to one of the most depraved, cunning and ruthless characters in all of Westeros. All should fear him for there are few others who can match him for cruelty.

He's probably one of the most fascinating (admittedly morbid) characters.

I don't think Ramsey is as scary from afar. Theon was a due some comeuppance for his naivety and betrayal (imo). I cannot think of a good reason to keep these two apart or not to involve them and their relationship, heavily in the story.

[Good Guy Garlan]

What do you mean they're not relevant? They affect pretty much every other character storyline, from Stannis, Davos, and Melisandre, to Asha and Euron, to Jon and Sansa. They're the catalyst for a lot of events

That said, Ramsay is a lazy, one-dimensional villain that thrives in shock value, but Theon's awesomeness makes up for it

[dbunting]

They are really interesting twisted characters. Ramsey Snow is evil incarnate that Cat believes Jon would be if he was legitimized.

[MyLittleFinger]

What do you mean they're not relevant? They affect pretty much every other character storyline, from Stannis, Davos, and Melisandre, to Asha and Euron, to Jon and Sansa. They're the catalyst for a lot of events

That said, Ramsay is a lazy, one-dimensional villain that thrives in shock value, but Theon's awesomeness makes up for it

I don't know about that. His main drive is rather lazy on the surface, but he has done some pretty subtle moves that make him seem more than a slobbering insane bastard. Also his need to prove himself as a Bolton while also being so deranged he doesn't understand the difference between the society of 6000 years ago and society now is really interesting. Especially since it brings up the question of whether the Bolton's have ever changed, or if this new crop are bringing about the "old way."

The plan to use the Mill kids in place of the Starks was brilliant.

[Minstral]

Because he exists on page, so GRRM must feel his development is needed for the story to progress. In a story where there is a character who commits infanticide, genocide, and mimicking the plot of Soylent Green we should probably realize that the spotlight can't always hold Clegane in it.

[The Second To Last Dragon]

he's necessary to push theon into madness and cause discord in the northern alliance

[Prince Lou of House Reed]

Not to mention the Theon/Ramsay relationship is one of the most compelling stories ever told.

[LastCitizenOfGhis]

Yeah, Ok, Theon is important and so is Ramsey because of that.

Just I feel the detail is unnecessary (we don't see any of Clegane's victims become a POV for example); and at times reads like the script from a Hollywood gore movie. I think it ruins a little the perfect balance GRRM has struck between the vicious violence of the Medieval world and the fairytale way most fantasy is written.

I feel the plot could have been better told through some Roose POV's, who is considerably less one dimensional than Ramsey.

Because he exists on page and GRRM must feel he is vital

Well yeah, and GRRM can write about what he likes, but an answer like that defeats the point of this forum

[INCBlackbird]

Yeah, Ok, Theon is important and so is Ramsey because of that.

Just I feel the detail is unnecessary (we don't see any of Clegane's victims become a POV for example); and at times reads like the script from a Hollywood gore movie. I think it ruins a little the perfect balance GRRM has struck between the vicious violence of the Medieval world and the fairytale way most fantasy is written.

I feel the plot could have been better told through some Roose POV's, who is considerably less one dimensional than Ramsey.

Well yeah, and GRRM can write about what he likes, but an answer like that defeats the point of this forum

except that theon was a POV character before he became ramsay's victim. and he is a POV character because he is important and his arc is compelling, the torture is a part of that.

also the story isn't told through ramsay's POV, it's told through theon, who is very far from one dimensional (in fact, i've seen even people who hate him as a character say he's one of the most complex characters in those books) and Ramsay isn't one dimensional either. he has personality disorders, he romanticizes things he doesn't like (just like theon), he lies to himself (just like theon) he craves attension from his father (just like theon), he is obsessed with hating his status and uses his joy of hurting people to hunt low born girls as a way to feel more powerful and feel like he rises above his status. his relationship with both Heke and Theon are pretty damn deep as well if you ask me. it's all about getting the attension he wants (but doesn't get from his father) and not being able to live without it anymore, but ramsay only realises that when it's gone.

[Howlin' Howland]

I'm guessing GRRM was watching Sin City while eating some pizza, and when he went to sleep that night it gave him nightmares, so he decided to make it into a story,

[Drth Fel]

Because Lord Business and Bad Cop weren't available. They were Kragled.

[Minstral]

Well yeah, and GRRM can write about what he likes, but an answer like that defeats the point of this forum

Which is why it's not the full answer. Continue to read my post and it comes out pretty much like everyone elses but with a difference. GRRM probably has not revealed the exact importance Ramsay will play by the end of his story arc. For now, he is the one that sacked Winterfell and played one of the deathblows to house Stark. Seeing him from afar does not make him a compelling antagonist.

[unitron]

Ramsay exists so that George can drive us all nuts with the Pink Letter chapter.

[Lord Hyrule]

Mainly because both of them are heirs to two of the important houses, no? Now that Ramsey is actually a Bolton, he can be heir to his fathers stuff. Same with Theon.

They are important characters because they are significant in the future.

[blerg]

Because GRRM saw an episode of BB and wanted to outdo Walter White that's why. In actuality Ramsay is the least believable character in Asoiaf and in my opinion represents bad writing

[Prince Lou of House Reed]

Can you give an example on why he is nothing but bad writing?

[Universal Sword Donor]

GRRM decided he needed to be a character, in addition to making the story something other than a Stark victory lap (which would have been cool).

[Ramsay Gimp]

Yeah, Ok, Theon is important and so is Ramsey because of that.

Just I feel the detail is unnecessary (we don't see any of Clegane's victims become a POV for example); and at times reads like the script from a Hollywood gore movie. I think it ruins a little the perfect balance GRRM has struck between the vicious violence of the Medieval world and the fairytale way most fantasy is written.

I feel the plot could have been better told through some Roose POV's, who is considerably less one dimensional than Ramsey.

Well yeah, and GRRM can write about what he likes, but an answer like that defeats the point of this forum

A Roose Bolton POV rather than Theon?? Thank god you aren't writing these books. That's like giving a POV to Littlefinger instead of Jaime

Theon's transformation into Reek and then into Theon 2.0 is regarded by many readers as one of the most compelling character arcs in the series. It doesn't need a "point," it stands just fine on its own.

You also seem to be saying that we should never get the POV of a victim, which is strange