Jump to content

Why did Beric ressurect Catelyn?


Doctor Weirwood

Recommended Posts

It's definite that Beric gave his life and died his 7th and final death in order to bring Catelyn back to life after the Red Wedding, right? But why did he do it? As far as I remember he never had any previous interaction with her, so to me there's no obvious motive for him to do this. I suppose Harwin might have recognised her so Beric would have known who she was, but that still doesn't change things, any ideas?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope that this is revealed more openly in later books, because although Thoros claims Beric did it, there was also that strange seen with Nymeria encountering Cat's body... As to why, I read a good theory that when people are reborn in this way they are stuck in the last frame of mind they were in before death, so Beric was all about his duty to the people and the king (even after Robert's death) and Cat was all about revenge for her family. The theory then said that as Beric's last act was a failure for Ned, he may have tried to compensate for this by saving his wife. There is no textual evidence for the last part, but the idea of being stuck in their last frame of mind does seem to fit both characters in my opinion.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope that this is revealed more openly in later books, because although Thoros claims Beric did it, there was also that strange seen with Nymeria encountering Cat's body... As to why, I read a good theory that when people are reborn in this way they are stuck in the last frame of mind they were in before death, so Beric was all about his duty to the people and the king (even after Robert's death) and Cat was all about revenge for her family. The theory then said that as Beric's last act was a failure for Ned, he may have tried to compensate for this by saving his wife. There is no textual evidence for the last part, but the idea of being stuck in their last frame of mind does seem to fit both characters in my opinion.

THIS. JUST THIS There may not be any evidence to back it up but it explains so many things

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope that this is revealed more openly in later books, because although Thoros claims Beric did it, there was also that strange seen with Nymeria encountering Cat's body... As to why, I read a good theory that when people are reborn in this way they are stuck in the last frame of mind they were in before death, so Beric was all about his duty to the people and the king (even after Robert's death) and Cat was all about revenge for her family. The theory then said that as Beric's last act was a failure for Ned, he may have tried to compensate for this by saving his wife. There is no textual evidence for the last part, but the idea of being stuck in their last frame of mind does seem to fit both characters in my opinion.

THIS. JUST THIS There may not be any evidence to back it up but it explains so many things

Oooh... So then what will Jon be like when Melisandre resurrects him from the dead? (Assuming this is what happens in WoW)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suppose that he wanted to do it "for Ned". Ned sent him on quest to stop Gregor Clegane which he didn't manage to do. He also couldn't help Ned to save his life. So when he came across Catelyn, after being unable to save Ned and after losing Arya, he maybe wanted to help at least one Stark. I just wonder what will be Catelyn's role in the upcoming books because so far her resurrection seems rather like a mistake to me...


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oooh... So then what will Jon be like when Melisandre resurrects him from the dead? (Assuming this is what happens in WoW)

Jon is not necessarily going to die for his wounds, and even in the case he is he has the benefit of 'warging', that is momentarily shift his entire soul to his direwolf. Thus he should loose nothing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As has been said, he had failed Ned Stark in bringing Gregor Clegane to justice, and had even failed to return Ned's daughter to safety. Bringing Ned's wife back not only my have been a small notch of doing something for the Starks, but Beric is clearly tired of the "life" he's been leading in the war and wants out.

I'd also postulate to say Beric may have thought Thoros would resurrect him again even though he wouldn't do it for Cat, so this was him trying to have his cake and eat it too. That conflicts with him wanting to finally die, but either one could work (though why Thoros didn't at least try this is a bit odd).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's definite that Beric gave his life and died his 7th and final death in order to bring Catelyn back to life after the Red Wedding, right? But why did he do it? As far as I remember he never had any previous interaction with her, so to me there's no obvious motive for him to do this. I suppose Harwin might have recognised her so Beric would have known who she was, but that still doesn't change things, any ideas?

He did it at Harwin's pleading, after Thoros refused:

When we found her by the river she was three days dead. Harwin begged me to give her the kiss of life, but it had been too long. I would not do it, so Lord Beric put his lips to hers instead, and the flame of life passed from him to her.

We had numerous hints in ASoS that Beric was weary of the resurrections, and even an indication that Thoros was afraid it was a dangerous business:

“Thoros, how many times have you brought me back now?”

The red priest bowed his head. “It is R’hllor who brings you back, my lord. The Lord of Light. I am only his instrument.”

“How many times?” Lord Beric insisted.

“Six,” Thoros said reluctantly. “And each time is harder. You have grown reckless, my lord. Is death so very sweet?”

“Sweet? No, my friend. Not sweet.”

“Then do not court it so. Lord Tywin leads from the rear. Lord Stannis as well. You would be wise to do the same. A seventh death might mean the end of both of us.”

No doubt Beric was ready to shuffle off his mortal coil, was moved by Harwin's plea, feared for his friend Thoros if he performed the resurrection and so chose to take it upon himself, suspecting that it would be his final release.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Didn't Ned send them out in the king's name? So Ned's wife being wrongfully dead would be a big pill to swallow, a back-breaking bad omen on top of all the others, and if Dondarrion had a way to remedy it that's when he'd play his resurrection card. He wanted her to not be dead as much as Thoros had wanted Beric to not be dead. So she stopped being dead.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oooh... So then what will Jon be like when Melisandre resurrects him from the dead? (Assuming this is what happens in WoW)

Well, right before Jon gets the knives stuck in him, Jon is trying to get everyone to to not kill a terrified giant who just broke a misbehaving knight, so based on this theory it sounds like he will just be the same old Jon we know and love.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think it was Beric's choice, it was the Red God.



Remember Thoros performs the rite to everyone who dies, Beric is the only one who comes back. Meaning that who comes back is not the choice of Thoros, but the R'hllor.


Beric was chosen, perhaps specifically for the purpose of being around to bring LS into the world. Even LS might only exist so that she can pass the flame to another.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always thought it was because Berics 2nd -6th lives were all about keeping the word he gave when he was still alive, like how Catlyn is all about killing Freys because that was her last thought when she was alive. Beric promised to bring justice to the Riverlands, so he did, then he promised Arya he would reunite her with her mother, so he made that possible.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Beric or Thoros said that every time Beric was resurrected he lost a part of himself, parts like memories, personality etc. Beric was resurrected multiple times, so I think he gave up his life for Catelyn coz:


1) he wasn't himself anymore due to the resurrections


2) we can say he sworn fealty to Ned, but since Ned is dead he wanted to help his wife


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...