Key Characters in A Game of Thrones

One of the reasons A Game of Thrones leaves a lasting impact is its unforgettable cast. Below is a guide to the core Characters in A Game of Thrones introduced in the first book—each driving the narrative from their own perspective.

House Baratheon

Robert Baratheon – The King of the Seven Kingdoms at the book’s start. Once a mighty warrior, now more interested in wine and hunting than ruling.

Stannis Baratheon – Robert’s stern, duty-bound brother. Introduced mostly in name in Book 1 but becomes key later.

Renly Baratheon – The charming youngest Baratheon brother, part of King Robert’s council.

---

House Stark (Winterfell – The North)

Eddard “Ned” Stark – Warden of the North. Honorable to a fault. Becomes the King’s Hand and serves as a moral compass in the story.

Catelyn Stark – Ned’s wife. Fierce, strategic, and fiercely protective of her family.

Robb Stark – Eldest Stark child. Steps into leadership as conflict brews.

Sansa Stark – Dreamy and naïve, eager for courtly life—until reality strikes hard.

Arya Stark – Fiercely independent and rebellious. Begins a compelling arc of transformation.

Bran Stark – Injured early on in the story, leading to mystical dreams and foreshadowing his greater role.

Rickon Stark – The youngest Stark child, mostly in the background but symbolic of innocence lost.

Jon Snow – Ned’s illegitimate son. Joins the Night’s Watch and begins to uncover dark truths beyond the Wall.

Related post: A Game of Thrones Books Review The Epic That Changed Fantasy

---

House Targaryen (Exiled Royal Line)

Daenerys Targaryen – A timid girl sold into marriage who slowly finds her power, eventually becoming a queen in exile.

Viserys Targaryen – Daenerys’s cruel brother, obsessed with reclaiming their lost throne.

---

House Lannister (Casterly Rock – The West)

Tyrion Lannister – The witty, intelligent, and underestimated dwarf son. One of the most beloved and complex characters.

Cersei Lannister – The queen and Robert’s wife. Political, manipulative, and fiercely protective of her children.

Jaime Lannister – Cersei’s twin brother. Known as the “Kingslayer,” famous for his arrogance and deadly swordplay.

Tywin Lannister – Patriarch of the family, a calculating and powerful nobleman.

Joffrey Baratheon – Cersei’s son, heir to the throne, whose cruelty grows as power corrupts him.

---

House Greyjoy (The Iron Islands)

Theon Greyjoy – A ward of the Starks. Arrogant and conflicted, his arc begins subtly in Book 1 but expands dramatically later.

---

The Night’s Watch

Benjen Stark – Ned’s brother, a ranger of the Night’s Watch who disappears beyond the Wall.

Jeor Mormont – Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, wise and battle-hardened.

Samwell Tarly – A timid but intelligent recruit who befriends Jon Snow.

---

Other Notables

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish – Master of Coin and master of manipulation. Always plotting behind the scenes.

Varys (The Spider) – Master of Whisperers. A eunuch with a network of spies and an agenda of his own.

Bran’s Direwolf (Summer), Jon’s (Ghost), and the other direwolves also become key symbolic and emotional elements throughout the series.

---

Why It Matters

Knowing these Characters in A Game of Thrones isn’t just about keeping track—it’s about understanding the moral ambiguity that defines the series. No one is purely good or evil, and every decision ripples through the world of Westeros.