The Dark Secret Behind Cersei's Intense Hatred for Tyrion in Game of Thrones

Throughout the Game Of Thrones series, the relationships are filled with turmoil, particularly within the Lannister family. Their drama-laden dynamics make them one of the most intriguing and diverse houses in the history of Westeros.

Under the leadership of Tywin Lannister, the Lannisters, who resided in Casterly Rock, captivated viewers throughout all eight seasons. Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion, his children, commanded much of the screen time. Being one of the proudest and most arrogant houses, conflicts were plenty within the Lannister clan. While love occasionally flourished between them (sometimes crossing societal norms), they were just as willing to betray each other for personal gain.

Why Did Cersei Hate Tyrion?

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Cersei harbored a strong dislike for her brother Jaime, but her hatred for her impish younger brother Tyrion was even more intense. Throughout Game of Thrones, the siblings constantly clashed due to the different paths their lives took. While Cersei always held onto her animosity towards Tyrion, albeit for various reasons at different points, it seemed that Tyrion yearned to mend his fractured relationship with his sister.

There are numerous potential explanations for Cersei's disdain towards Tyrion, and the simplest one is that she blames him for their mother's death. Because of this fact and his dwarfism, Cersei viewed her younger brother as nothing more than a monstrous creature responsible for their mother's demise as he was born. Undoubtedly, this perspective is extremely unjust in regard to their mother's passing. However, Cersei never possessed the kindness and empathy necessary to heal and move forward from such a traumatic event.

Cersei likely despised Tyrion due to his appearance and behavior, which she believed tarnished the reputation of the Lannister name. Tyrion himself acknowledges that had he not been a Lannister, he would have faced discrimination and a shorter life in Westeros. Additionally, his association with women and their services throughout the series, although acceptable in the Game of Thrones world, is seen as inappropriate by Cersei, who is far from a typical character. These factors bring disgrace to the esteemed Lannister name, to the extent that Cersei is willing to abandon her own brother, even when their cruel father would not.

Another possible reason for Cersei's animosity towards Tyrion lies in the stark contrast between their fortunes. Cersei looks down on her younger brother and uses this to assert herself as a deserving individual worthy of all the advantages that Westeros has to offer. In contrast, she perceives Tyrion as merely fortunate to be associated with the Lannisters. Cersei firmly believes that she is entitled to rule the Iron Throne, wielding immense power as the most formidable woman in the realm. However, Tyrion consistently opposes her ambitions, further fueling her disdain for him.

Whether she blames Tyrion for the death of her children, something she eventually acknowledges she doesn’t truly believe, or hates him for standing by Daenerys Targaryen’s side, Cersei’s twisted mind has a plethora of motivations to despise Tyrion. Despite viewing him as a monstrous being, he consistently finds himself in influential positions of power, whether that entails serving as the hand of the king, lounging within the confines of grand castles, or opposing the ultimate threat to the Iron Throne. Cersei is likely incapable of comprehending how an individual she deems abominable can amass such authority, and her animosity intensifies as the power he wields poses a threat to her own dominion.

Did Cersei and Tyrion Ever Reconcile?

The unfortunate reality is that Cersei and Tyrion never experience a significant moment of reconciliation. Despite instances where they appear to be on the same page or where it appears they may finally collaborate, Cersei's contempt for Tyrion remains unwavering. While Tyrion is willing to reconcile with his older sister at almost any point in the show, some may view this as foolishness. However, it is Tyrion's combination of compassion and intelligence that enables him to endure the entire Game Of Thrones journey, whereas Cersei cannot.

Despite everything, there is one moment that could be seen as a twisted form of reconciliation, albeit one-sided. When Cersei and Jaime are crushed by the demolished Red Keep, it is Tyrion who discovers their bodies, lying together beneath the rubble. While Cersei and Tyrion could never truly reconcile, she was able to find solace with her stoic brother, Jaime, whom Tyrion regarded as a true brother. When Tyrion stumbles upon their lifeless forms, his emotions overwhelm him and he finds himself weeping, knowing that his family faced their demise together, leaving him as the last remaining Lannister to carry on the family's legacy.

Though perhaps unintended, Tyrion may interpret the death of his two siblings as a silent endorsement for him to continue leading the Lannister name towards a brighter future. As Cersei once proclaimed, "you win or you die." This perspective implies a level of kindness in Cersei that likely did not exist, yet one could argue that her actions consistently demonstrated the importance of family, as evidenced by the instances where she could have slain Tyrion but chose not to.

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