Viserys, the Weakheart

[John Suburbs]

23 hours ago, Craving Peaches said:

That's and the other examples are not the same. In all of the above they knew it was a real possibility they could die. Viserys thought he couldn't be harmed because he was the only one with a weapon and the Dothraki aren't allowed to attack people in Vaes Dothrak. He is acting under the assumption he is immune from repercussions in this scenario. Viserys actually spells this out:

It has nothing to do with liking or not liking characters. It is a matter of logic. 'Brave' is defined as:

So it follows that you cannot be brave in Viserys' scenario. Because he does not expect any danger or pain in the first place, so how can he be ready to face it? He thinks that no one can harm him because they are all unarmed and he is not, he is the only one with a weapon.

No sorry, Ned was in no way going to die when he took Gared's head -- no bravery there. Jorah was in no danger when he confronted Viserys -- not brave. Even Tyrion had no thought of dying on the Blackwater -- brave or stupid? Tywin thinks it's the latter.

So sure, Vis doesn't think he's going to die either -- so more stupid than brave. But he also didn't take the cowards way out and hole up with Illyrio until Drogo came through, nor did he ditch Dany when he could have. Just like good and evil, Martin paints his characters in shades of gray when it comes to brave and cowardly, illustrating it for us perfectly:

How can a man be brave when he's frightened? That's the only time a man can be brave.

[Craving Peaches]

8 minutes ago, John Suburbs said:

How can a man be brave when he's frightened? That's the only time a man can be brave.

Viserys was certainly not frightened when he was threatening Daenerys due to the aformention reasons and because he was intoxicated.

9 minutes ago, John Suburbs said:

Even Tyrion had no thought of dying on the Blackwater

Of course he did. He was fighting a battle, it's an obvious risk...

10 minutes ago, John Suburbs said:

Ned was in no way going to die when he took Gared's head

Not there no. But he was running the risk when he challenged Joffrey's legitimacy.

11 minutes ago, John Suburbs said:

orah was in no danger when he confronted Viserys

He was in more danger than Viserys was in Vaes Dothrak because Viserys actually had a sword and there was no rule against him shedding blood.

12 minutes ago, John Suburbs said:

But he also didn't take the cowards way out and hole up with Illyrio until Drogo came through

True.