26 replies to this topic

[7V3N]

Why did Tywin choose Tyrion to go back to King's Landing to act as Hand of the King? I have always wondered. Kevan would have made more sense considering Tywin's disposition toward Tyrion. I know that Tyrion would be a great Hand, but Tywin always sees him as a disappointment, lackwit, and incapable.

[LuisDantas]

Whoever he sent would end up in conflict with Cersei and Joffrey (or else fail to fulfill his mission).  Tyrion was eager enough to prove himself and was seen as "expendable" by Tywin.

A very smart decision by Tywin, I must admit.

[Alexia]

Tywin doesn't see Tyrion as a lackwit or incapable, else he wouldn't have sent him.  And he relies on Kevan and wanted him close for his advice.

[zmflavius]

I'm fairly certain that Tywin is aware that Tyrion is fairly mentally agile, almost certainly more so than Kevan, who is still reasonably intelligent.  I'm also fairly certain that Tywin was aware that Tyrion was of no use traveling with an army.  Finally, Tywin needed someone reasonably loyal to him in KL, and Tyrion fit the bill.  Basically, on a scale of 1-10, Tyrion probably ranked around 7-8 in terms of his ability to manage the city, maneuver against Varys, Littlefinger, and Cersei, and control Joffrey, while Kevan ranked perhaps 6-7.  However, Kevan ranks the same level in military matters, whereas Tyrion is at best a 3, or a 1, excluding his clansmen, who are of dubious military worth anyways.  Basically, it's more efficient to send Tyrion and keep Kevan as an adjutant or something.

[Lions-and-Roses]

I think Tywin wanted Kevan at his side to help him with the strategies in battle. Tyrion was his only other choice, if you ask me.

[LadyRayRay]

Quote

in military matters, whereas Tyrion is at best a 3, or a 1

This is a good point. Tyrion did not really prove himself in battle. He's not physically capable of being a war-hero. But it's obvious to readers as well as the characters in the book that Tyrion has a sharp mind (he says so himself) and his cunning is a weapon most needed at pulling the strings in King's Landing.

[7V3N]

Looking at the family tree, it seems that Tytos had no siblings (although I'm horrible with remembering the Lannister family line) so Tywin's had few family members that he could trust.

[Francisco R. Fonseca]

I think Tywin knows Tyrion's intelligent as well and can thrive in KL. He knows how to play various people and use hus cunning since that's all he admittedly has. Kevan is needed to offer strategic advice whereas Tyrion has no real ability to lead troops.

Edited by Francisco R. Fonseca, 18 March 2012 - 07:22 PM.

[sumant30]

Francisco R. Fonseca, on 18 March 2012 - 07:20 PM, said:

I think Tywin knows Tyrion's intelligent as well and can thrive in KL. He knows how to play various people and use hus cunning since that's all he admittedly has. Kevan is needed to offer strategic advice whereas Tyrion has no real ability to lead troops.

I agree with you, tywin lannister is a very able commander as well as he knows the people he has with him.

[Cory]

I agree that Tyrion is intelligent, I believe he will do very well, and be a great hand of the king. However, I doubt tywin thinks as highly of him, tywin does not have Great love for Tyrion, gave him a suicide mission in the battle, additional evidence is, jaimie lannister is a member of tge kings guard he may father no children, take no wives, hold no lands. Tywin still has not made Tyrion ( oldest living son) heir of casterly rock but rather gives Jaimie the honor, which he may never accept. Tywin believes in two things, gold and his family (blood, lagacy etc. ) he does not name Tyrion hand to honor him, but to make sure his family stays powerful in KL

[Mephesto]

I think that Tywin believes that Tyrion is smart, and cunning, and has a sharp enough tongue to reel Joffrey in.

Outwordly Twyin does dispise his son, but after all he is is son, I do think that deep down he loves and respects Tyrion, but is unable to show that because he deems it weak.

We all know how important the appearance of strenght is to the Lannisters.

[Cory]

And not to mention tywin blames Tyrion for the death of his beloved wife

[podrick_payne45]

I think Kevan would have been a solid choice. But i think he thought that Tyrion would be more capable of handling Cersi and Joffery. I think Twyin was concerned that Cersi would screw everything up and he thought Tyrion had the smarts, personality, and Ba** to handle the King and Queen Regent.

[Mephesto]

Later on in the series other characters say that Tywin did leave a true heir (in terms of a child that was just like him and able to carry on the Lannister name the way that he intended)  and they say that the heir is not Jaime, not Cersei, but Tyrion.  

Tyrion has the characteristics that make Tywin great.  He just has to do it with a stunted body.   Although that is probably the thing that makes him so much like his father.    Tywin was trying deperately to overcome the image of his father being weak and passive, and disgracing the Lannister name, and Tyrion is desparately trying to overcome his horrific body, and both had the goal of being respected and/or feared by all men.  

Jaime was the son of the great Lord Tywin, he had all the money in the world, he was gorgeous, and an incredible fighter, he didn't really have anything to over come.

Cersei is gorgeous, rich, but mentally she isn't stable enough to run the kingdom the way that Twyin would.  

I do think that Tywin can see just how much like him Tyrion is regardless if he will admit it to himself or not.

[WakeTheDragon]

Cory, on 26 July 2012 - 10:28 AM, said:

I agree that Tyrion is intelligent, I believe he will do very well, and be a great hand of the king. However, I doubt tywin thinks as highly of him, tywin does not have Great love for Tyrion, gave him a suicide mission in the battle, additional evidence is, jaimie lannister is a member of tge kings guard he may father no children, take no wives, hold no lands. Tywin still has not made Tyrion ( oldest living son) heir of casterly rock but rather gives Jaimie the honor, which he may never accept. Tywin believes in two things, gold and his family (blood, lagacy etc. ) he does not name Tyrion hand to honor him, but to make sure his family stays powerful in KL

Jamie and Cersei are older than Tyrion. Their mother died birthing Tyrion.

[Cory]

Yes, my point on why tywin/ cersei hate Tyrion so.

[Quentyn Baratheon]

Well, Tywin/Kevan duo work really well, and as jaime is not with him, he makes use of the only son left.
And as a bonus, he gets rid of the mountain clans.

[BoarHunter]

In the book Tyrion also says something like (no exact quote because i dont have the book at hand)

Quote

You've already given him up havn't you?

I think Tyrion is sent to KL because Jaime has just been captured, Tywin has a war to fight and thinks Jaime is already dead. He suddenly realises that Tyrion needs some experience in ruling.

[smithy]

Wasn't it because Jaime was being held by Robb? Tywin wanted one of his sons to do it for him?

[PrinceOberyn]

The one who Tywin really trusted was Kevan, he is his best counselor. But he couldnt get rid of him for battle, Kevan was too worth. He needed all his bannermen to keep the strenght, and he didnt rely on them to rule in KL. Jaime was KO, so he just had Tyrion, who Tywin already knew was capable of the work, although he hated him.