| Daenerys Targaryen | |
|---|---|
| A Song of Ice and Fire character Game of Thrones character | |
 Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen | |
| First appearance |
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| Last appearance |
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| Created by | George R. R. Martin |
| Adapted by | |
| Portrayed by | Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) Imogen Ruby Little (House of the Dragon) |
| Voiced by | Emilia Clarke |
| In-universe information | |
| Aliases |
|
| Nickname | Dany |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Female |
| Title |
|
| Occupation | Monarch |
| Family | House Targaryen |
| Spouses | |
| Significant others |
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| Children | |
| Relatives |
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| Religion | Faith of the Steven |
| Origin | Dragonstone |
| Nationality |
|
Daenerys Targaryen (/dəˈnɛərɪs tɑːrˈɡɛəriən/ də-NAIR-iss tar-GAIR-ee-ən)[2] is a fictional character in the series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire by American author George R. R. Martin. She is a prominent point-of-view character, and is one of the series' most popular characters. The New York Times cites her as one of the author's finest creations.[3]
Introduced in 1996's A Game of Thrones, thirteen-year-old[4] Daenerys is one of the last surviving members (along with her older brother, Viserys III, the "Beggar King") of House Targaryen, which, until 14 years before the events of the first novel, had ruled Westeros from the Iron Throne for nearly 300 years before being ousted. She subsequently appeared in A Clash of Kings (1998) and A Storm of Swords (2000). Daenerys was one of a few prominent characters not included in 2005's A Feast for Crows but returned in the next novel, A Dance with Dragons (2011).[5][6]
In the story, Daenerys is in her early teens, living in exile in Essos, where she has developed a Tyroshi accent. She remains dependent on her abusive older brother, Viserys, and is forced to marry Dothraki horselord Khal Drogo in exchange for Viserys' army to reclaim the Iron Throne in Westeros. Daenerys adapts to life with the Dothraki, and her character emerges as strong, confident, and courageous. She becomes the heir of the Targaryen dynasty after her brother's murder and plans to reclaim the Iron Throne herself, seeing it as her birthright. A pregnant Daenerys loses her husband and child, but blood magic allows Daenerys to hatch three dragon eggs. The dragons provide her with a tactical advantage and prestige.
Later, Daenerys agrees to go to Astapor—instead of returning to Pentos—for an army as safe measures against the elusive Illyrio Mopatis. After acquiring all of the Unsullied, she frees them, and most agree to join her revolution. She executes the Good Masters and sets up a council for the city. Later, she conquers Yunkai and Meereen, the latter Daenerys settles in to learn how to rule. Despite her strong moral compass, she can deal ruthlessly with her enemies and those she believes to conspire against her. She is also disturbed by the prophetic warnings of Quaithe, a shadowbinder from Asshai. While in Meereen, she establishes herself as a powerful, relentless, but self-critical ruler. Eventually, she becomes a dragonrider to Drogon, whom she tames with a whip after he disturbs the fighting pits arena at Daznak's Pit.
In the television adaptation of Game of Thrones, she is portrayed by British actress Emilia Clarke. While having many similarities, the television depiction of Daenerys is older (late teens) and has several mystical qualities, such as an unexplained fireproof ability. She is also not forewarned or haunted by prophecy like her book counterpart. Clarke's portrayal of Daenerys has garnered Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2013, 2015, and 2016 and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2019. She has also earned many other nominations and accolades for her portrayal. Her character arc from heroic to villainous at the end of the HBO series has been a source of controversy with critics and fans.
- ^ Hurley, Laura (September 15, 2022). "House Of The Dragon Showrunners Reveal Key Book Details That George R.R. Martin Wanted In The Game Of Thrones Prequel". Media. CinemaBlend. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ "Official Pronunciation Guide for 'Game of Thrones'". Making of Game of Thrones. HBO. February 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Orr, David (August 12, 2011). "Dragons Ascendant: George R. R. Martin and the Rise of Fantasy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
Martin's finest creations thus far are Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen.
- ^ Game of Thrones. p. 28.
Dany was thirteen, old enough to know that such gifts seldom come without their price, here in the free city of Pentos.
- ^ Brown, Rachael (July 11, 2011). "George R. R. Martin on Sex, Fantasy, and A Dance With Dragons". The Atlantic. Emerson Collective. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
Characters who were sorely missed in Feast—Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, and Jon Snow—make up more than a third of the novel, and Martin is wise enough to give us at least a chapter from (almost) everyone else.
- ^ Leonard, Andrew (July 10, 2011). "Return of the new fantasy king: "A Dance With Dragons"". Salon. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
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