The Mad Queen

[Muggle]

Here is some foreshadowing Cersei will burn down Kings Landing as The Mad Queen. Cersei is a paranoid psychopath, She has no regard for human life. We see her killing an infant babe less then a year old. We see her sending people down to the dungeons to be tortured by the Necromancer. She has spent all her life in fear of a prophecy made by a woods witch. She killed her best friend when she was a teenager. Its as been stated that Cersei is ruthless to those who slight her. And many of those slights are imagined. She is a woman who desires power but cant handle it and she lives her life in fear. She believes every one is out to get her. She even was shown as a child to torture-abuse an infant tyrion by pinching his penis to the point the Dorish siblings and Jamie were concerned.

“The Hand speaks with the king’s voice.” Candlelight gleamed green as wildfire in Cersei’s eyes. “If we send you, Tyrion, it will be as if Joffrey went himself. And who better? You wield words as skillfully as Jaime wields a sword.”

I think this is the first time we see the "Look" Cersie gets. This is when Tyrion was trying to send Cersi away from KL and she felt threatened because Tyrion was trying to take power from her.

“My ships.” Joffrey’s voice cracked as he shouted up from the wallwalk, where he huddled with his guards behind the ramparts. The golden circlet of kingship adorned his battle helm. “My Kingslander’s burning, Queen Cersei, Loyal Man. Look, that’s Seaflower, there.” He pointed with his new sword, out to where the green flames were licking at Seaflower’s golden hull and creeping up her oars.

We see several of the Crownland's ships catching fire and among them is Cersei.

The queen was drinking heavily, but the wine only seemed to make her more beautiful; her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes had a bright, feverish heat to them as she looked down over the hall. Eyes of wildfire, Sansa thought.

Here is the "look" Cersei has when she is in a certain mindset. This was during the Battle of Blackwater, when Cersi told Sansa that Payne was here to kill all the noble ladies if the city would fall. That she would rather die then surrender or give up the city. Notice how the look is compared to wildfire

Jaime ignored that. “If these flames spread beyond the tower, you may end up burning down the castle whether you mean to or not. Wildfire is treacherous.” “Lord Hallyne has assured me that his pyromancers can control the fire.” The Guild of Alchemists had been brewing fresh wildfire for a fortnight. “Let all of King’s Landing see the flames. It will be a lesson to our enemies.” “Now you sound like Aerys.”

This one is a little obvious just another comparison between Cersei and Aerys

“As you command,” he said, as if her fears were groundless. “Do you still mean to go ahead and burn the Tower of the Hand?” “After the feast.” It was the only part of the day’s festivities that Cersei thought she might enjoy.

Just a snip about how Cersei enjoys watching things burn from wildfire

“Even if Tyrion were still hiding in the castle, he won’t be in the Tower of the Hand. We’ve reduced it to a shell.” “Would that we could do the same to the rest of this foul castle,” said Cersei. “After the war I mean to build a new palace beyond the river.” She had dreamed of it the night before last, a magnificent white castle surrounded by woods and gardens, long leagues from the stinks and noise of King’s Landing. “This city is a cesspit.

Here Cersei is dreaming about destroying the Red Keep.

The queen could feel the heat of those green flames. The pyromancers said that only three things burned hotter than their substance: dragonflame, the fires beneath the earth, and the summer sun. Some of the ladies gasped when the first flames appeared in the windows, licking up the outer walls like long green tongues. Others cheered, and made toasts. It is beautiful, she thought, as beautiful as Joffrey, when they laid him in my arms. No man had ever made her feel as good as she had felt when he took her nipple in his mouth to nurse.

Here is Cersei comparing the wildfire to the sensation she had when they placed her first born son into her arms for the first time.

Cersei thought of all the King’s Hands that she had known through the years: Owen Merryweather, Jon Connington, Qarlton Chelsted, Jon Arryn, Eddard Stark, her brother Tyrion. And her father, Lord Tywin Lannister, her father most of all. All of them are burning now, she told herself, savoring the thought. They are dead and burning, every one, with all their plots and schemes and betrayals. It is my day now. It is my castle and my kingdom.

Cersei is thinking about how burning people and there plots is a good thing.

“Lord Commander, escort His Grace and his little queen to their pillows, if you would.” “As you command. And you as well?” “No need.” Cersei felt too alive for sleep. The wildfire was cleansing her, burning away all her rage and fear, filling her with resolve. “The flames are so pretty. I want to watch them for a while.” Jaime hesitated. “You should not stay alone.”

This one is neat because we see some concern from Jamie, he knows first hand the end of this road Cersei is starting to take. Also not to mention this shows how the wildfire is having a unique effect on Cersei.

Jaime knew the look in his sister’s eyes. He had seen it before , most recently on the night of Tommen’s wedding, when she burned the Tower of the Hand . The green light of the wildfire had bathed the face of the watchers, so they looked like nothing so much as rotting corpses, a pack of gleeful ghouls, but some of the corpses were prettier than others. Even in the baleful glow, Cersei had been beautiful to look upon. She’d stood with one hand on her breast, her lips parted, her green eyes shining. She is crying, Jaime had realized, but whether it was from grief or ecstasy he could not have said. The sight had filled him with disquiet, reminding him of Aerys Targaryen and the way a burning would arouse him.

Another snip about the "look" Cersei gets and its equated with wildfire. Also to me its pretty clear she is crying from ecstasy seeing how above in her POV we see her relish in the idea she is burning people. And she compares the fire to her first born son. Also note how Jamie compares every watcher to corpse

Seven save us all, you do. His sister liked to think of herself as Lord Tywin with teats, but she was wrong. Their father had been as relentless and implacable as a glacier, where Cersei was all wildfire, especially when thwarted.

Another snip comparing Cersei to wildfire.

“A weak ruler needs a strong Hand, as Aerys needed Father. A strong ruler requires only a diligent servant to carry out his orders.” She swirled her wine. “Lord Hallyne might suit. He would not be the first pyromancer to serve as the King’s Hand.”

Here we see Cersei compare her self to Aerys, but a stronger version. Also its pretty eerie that she considers making the pyromancer the Hand

Now lets take a moment to think about Cerser biggest moment in book 4. The walk of shame. This was a horrible experience for her. The whole city showed up to insult and relish in her embarrassment. Now image a Cersei who has won her trial by combat, Who feels betrayed by every one, every single person. And has some of her power back due to Kevans death. Imagine how this Cersei is going to handle another siege to Kings Landing when fAegon comes knocking or Dany her self. Cersei has already shown she would rather die during the last siege and she was willing to kill all the noble ladies. Next time instead of using Payne as the means. Whats to say she wont decided to cleanse her self and the city in a plume of wildfire......

[LC Jaime Lannister]

I'm pretty sure Cersei doesn't even know of that whole wildfire thing.

Anyways, Cersei is stupid but not in that kind of way. She knows how that could only hurt her more.

[Muggle]

I'm pretty sure Cersei doesn't even know of that whole wildfire thing.

Anyways, Cersei is stupid but not in that kind of way. She knows how that could only hurt her more.

This story is full of plots repeating it self.

Many and I think Cersei will pan to have the city burned and Jamie will finally fulfill the prophesy and kill his sister. Jamie is younger then Cersei

[Lyse Stark]

Just as I said in the other thread, I think the wildfire is gonna become important, and Cersei will be the Mad Queen.

[Valyrian Spoon]

The quotes that always catch my attention are the ones from Jaime, I think it's a definite set up to a repeat of the events between him and Aerys on the day KL was sacked.

[Raven in Winter]

I'm pretty sure Cersei doesn't even know of that whole wildfire thing.

Anyways, Cersei is stupid but not in that kind of way. She knows how that could only hurt her more.

Which makes it even creepier, in my opinion. Given how awed she acts in its presence, what would happen if she heard about all the caches of wildfire positioned around the keep and the city?

Good job Muggle, it was interesting to see all of these references in one location!

[Ser Greg of House House]

There's only one Mad Queen, and her name is Dany.

Dany, the Batshit Crazy Queen

[Blazfemur]

There's only one Mad Queen, and her name is Dany.

Dany, the Batshit Crazy Queen

yeah. she isnt a hero. she lies, betrays, breaks alliances, breaks trusts

[SkaggCannibal]

It's about time Cersei gets some revenge on all the people that wronged her... the Tyrells, the Martells, the Faith, everyone in King's Landing. Burn them! Burn them all!

[Lady of Dragonstone]

It's about time Cersei gets some revenge on all the people that wronged her... the Tyrells, the Martells, the Faith, everyone in King's Landing. Burn them! Burn them all!

I hope your post is sarcastic. :)

I loved this theory from the beginning. It's not obvious like some are, but there are enough hints and foreshadowing that it could definitely happen.

The points you presented are all pretty solid. In your last paragraph, OP, you question Cersei's future actions, but I think you've answered your own questions. Cersei is definitely paranoid to the point of psychosis sometimes. Perhaps the Tyrells deserve some revenge for killing Joffrey, to be fair, but it will backfire on her if she tries to fulfill her desire, because she needs to keep the Tyrells on her side. If she loses the Tyrells, she will have nothing. Cersei may be restored to power on paper due to Kevan's death, but she has the respect of nobody, as as Ned Stark found out, a "paper shield" does little and less for you. It is fear and respect that make your commands come to pass, and after her walk of shame, Cersei has none. She has virtually nobody to protect her from others' wrath at her bad decisions. No doubt in my mind that something will go wrong and the Tyrells and Lannisters will no longer share a common cause, and this may be where the Faith tie in.

In the event that Aegon makes it to KL and tries to invade the city with Cersei virtually at the helm, Cersei burning the city down with wildfire is a logical jump one could make. What I really like about this theory is the tie-in with Jaime. He already saved the city once from Aerys. Now he may have to save the city again, but this time from his own blood. Also, this would tie up many storylines (valonquar, Jaime's redemption arc, will there be an IT at the end?) and spring forward many others (Aegon, Tyrells, Cersei's demise). Great theory.

[ejhawman]

Good analysis, viable theory. It's up to Martin, of course, but the potential is there for Cersei to want to go down in flames. She might not know of the wildfire stockpile at the moment, but she might learn of it. Then the kingdom will wish they had saved it for the wights...

[Jon of the Dead]

I don't really like this theory, mostly because I'm rooting for Dany as Mad Queen and I want Cersei to redeem a bit in the end, but here's another quote that could foreshadow it:

"Her heels scraped against the stone as she climbed, and she could still hear the moth fluttering wildly inside Ser Osmund’s lantern. Die, the queen thought at it, in irritation, fly into the flame and be done with it. "

[Raven in Winter]

I don't really like this theory, mostly because I'm rooting for Dany as Mad Queen and I want Cersei to redeem a bit in the end, but here's another quote that could foreshadow it:

"Her heels scraped against the stone as she climbed, and she could still hear the moth fluttering wildly inside Ser Osmunds lantern. Die, the queen thought at it, in irritation, fly into the flame and be done with it. "

Cersei has gone full on dark side, I don't know if there is any coming back for her. Although her story does remind me a bit of everybodies' favorite respirator breathing, cyborg Sith Lord Darth Vader, she craves power that she hopes to wield to keep her family safe but it ultimately corrupts her. Vader was able to come back so maybe there is hope for Cersei too.

[Usrnmhsnomning]

I can't wait for Cersei to order the burning of Kings Landing quickly followed by Jaime becoming the Queenslayer.

[Ahura Mazda]

I can't say I like Cersei, though I believe it's a bit too far stretched to believe her actually capable of such evil deed for free.. she has many faults, but she's still more human than evil monster. If wildfire will burn out, it will be the result of an accident or some fanatic people loosing their mind.

[Bright Blue Eyes]

I don't really like this theory, mostly because I'm rooting for Dany as Mad Queen and I want Cersei to redeem a bit in the end, but here's another quote that could foreshadow it:

"Her heels scraped against the stone as she climbed, and she could still hear the moth fluttering wildly inside Ser Osmund’s lantern. Die, the queen thought at it, in irritation, fly into the flame and be done with it. "

Always place for two in the loony bin.

[Raven in Winter]

I can't wait for Cersei to order the burning of Kings Landing quickly followed by Jaime becoming the Queenslayer.

Lol I wonder what his new nickname would be then?

[sapphire_lion]

I can't say I like Cersei, though I believe it's a bit too far stretched to believe her actually capable of such evil deed for free.. she has many faults, but she's still more human than evil monster.

Cersei tried to rip off her baby brother's penis when he was a new born. She pushed her best friend into a well when she was a little girl and watched her drown. She wanted Arya killed or maimed. She had Myach and Lady killed for no reason. She has had babies killed. She stood by while her son Joffrey was having Sansa beaten on the regular and still considered herself kind to the girl. She framed her brother for murder and wanted him executed. She has sent her friends to be tortured into insanity (she has sent a lot of people to be tortured into insanity). She made her little son Tommen watch his wiping boy beaten until he bled. She tried to frame Margaery and her young cousins with adultery and fornication, with the hope that they would be executed. She is absolutely capable of that kind of evil, especially if she's lost everything she cared about and revenge is all that is left to her.

[Sansa_Stark]

I would also say Cersei almost commited dwarf GENOCIDE

[Muggle]

I can't say I like Cersei, though I believe it's a bit too far stretched to believe her actually capable of such evil deed for free.. she has many faults, but she's still more human than evil monster. If wildfire will burn out, it will be the result of an accident or some fanatic people loosing their mind.

To add to saphire_lions post Cersei is shown to become sexually abusive. Dominating other females hurting them. She does this right after she sends Lady Falyse Stokeworth to the dungeon to be tortured by Qyburn. Not to mention she sexual abused baby tyrion

Cersei cupped the other woman’s breast. Softly at first, hardly touching, feeling the warmth of it beneath her palm, the skin as smooth as satin. She gave it a gentle squeeze, then ran her thumbnail lightly across the big dark nipple, back and forth and back and forth until she felt it stiffen. When she glanced up, Taena’s eyes were open. “Does that feel good?” she asked. “Yes,” said Lady Merryweather. “And this?” Cersei pinched the nipple now, pulling on it hard, twisting it between her fingers. The Myrish woman gave a gasp of pain. “You’re hurting me.” “It’s just the wine. I had a flagon with my supper, and another with the widow Stokeworth . I had to drink to keep her calm.” She twisted Taena’s other nipple too, pulling until the other woman gasped . “I am the queen. I mean to claim my rights.”