The Shocking Truth Behind King Joffrey's Ruthless Murder of Ros in Game of Thrones Season 3

Summary

Joffrey killed Ros in Game of Thrones purely for his own sadistic pleasure, showcasing his disturbing and cruel nature.

Joffrey's sadistic tendencies and thirst for violence developed over the course of the series, as he combined his sexual appetites with inflicting harm on others. His evident disdain for women was displayed through his mistreatment of Ros and even his own mother, Cersei, exposing his inherent cruelty towards the female gender.

Ros' death in Game of Thrones not only fulfilled King Joffrey Baratheon's sadistic desires but also allowed Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish to strike a blow against his enemies. However, what really stands out about Ros' demise is its sheer brutality, as few deaths in the show compare to the way Joffrey executed her. Joffrey's villainous nature emerged during the first season of the HBO series, but his parents' influence initially suppressed his bullying tendencies. Nonetheless, Joffrey's actions hinted at the threat he would eventually become. After the death of Robert Baratheon, Joffrey's ascent to power empowered him, leading to unchecked cruelty in subsequent seasons. He focused on tormenting the oppressed and undeserving, and Ros' death remains one of the most memorable from that period of the show.

While the story of King Joffrey in Game of Thrones finds echoes in House of the Dragon through Rhaenyra Targaryen's illegitimate children, none of the characters in the prequel, not even Daemon played by Matt Smith, have displayed the same level of cruelty as Joffrey did in Ros' execution. Among the recent Targaryens in Westerosi history, only King Aerys II, also known as the Mad King, can rival Joffrey Baratheon's thirst for bloodshed. This penchant for cruel violence did not develop overnight, and there were various factors that contributed to King Joffrey's atrocious behavior. This article explores Joffrey's motivations for killing Ros in Game of Thrones and explains why the brutality of her death still resonates with audiences years later.

Joffrey Killed Ros For No Real Reason - Showing How Sadistic He Truly Is

Joffrey's motive for killing Ros was purely for his sadistic pleasure, which sets it apart as an even more disturbing death in a series filled with such instances. Despite lacking a personal connection or seeing it as advantageous to his political goals, he chose to satisfy his own dark desires by ending her life. Littlefinger suggests that Joffrey approached him, the brothel owner, in search of an opportunity to fulfill his fantasy of killing someone, and unfortunately, Ros became the unlucky victim that Littlefinger willingly handed over.

Despite his outward bravado, Joffrey proved to be ill-suited for leadership in battle, as evidenced by his behavior during the Battle of Blackwater where he ran to hide and avoided any real confrontations. However, his thirst for blood remained, driving him to personally experience the act of killing rather than merely ordering it. Unfortunately, his cowardice compelled him to wield a crossbow against a defenseless woman, tying her up and taking advantage of her vulnerability.

How Joffrey's Sadism Evolved Throughout Game Of Thrones

In Game of Thrones season 3, Joffrey's killing of Ros was not a sudden act of insanity, but rather a culmination of events that were foreshadowed throughout the earlier seasons. While the War of the Five Kings raged on in Game of Thrones season 2, Joffrey remained sheltered in King's Landing, leaving the Small Council, led by Tyrion Lannister, to handle the actual governing as they recognized Joffrey's unpredictable nature and youthful impulsiveness.

After saving Sansa Stark from a public display of abuse orchestrated by Joffrey, Tyrion and Bronn speculated that Joffrey's puberty might be fueling his disturbing behavior. In an attempt to appease the young king, Tyrion arranged a delayed birthday gift for him – an evening with Ros and another prostitute from Littlefinger's brothel. However, Joffrey's only satisfaction came from commanding Ros to physically harm her companion in front of Tyrion. This was Joffrey's way of seeking revenge for his uncle's defense of Sansa and subsequent public reprimand. Little did Tyrion realize that this act would indirectly lead to an even more brutal fate for Ros in Game of Thrones.

Joffrey's sadistic nature became evident in season 3 of Game of Thrones. He derived sexual pleasure from causing pain and used the Ros Game of Thrones arc to indulge in this inclination. This sets him apart from the previous rulers of Westeros. The extent of Joffrey's sexual activities is unclear, as it is uncertain whether he prioritized violence over intimate gratification. When Margaery Tyrell, a potential future queen of Westeros, showed interest in Joffrey's crossbow and asked if he wanted to witness her kill something with it, he admitted his willingness.

However, Joffrey's attraction was not towards Margaery herself, but rather the possibility that she could comprehend his twisted cruelty. The crossbow had become an extension of Joffrey's own being since the beginning of season 3. Joffrey posed the greatest threat when he felt powerless, as he lacked physical strength or prowess and instead relied on the submissiveness of his victims. In the final moments of "The Climb," the last episode of season 3, Ros' lifeless body is shown hanging from a bed, pierced by numerous arrows. This could be seen as the culmination of Joffrey's satisfaction after months of torturing Ros.

Joffrey Is Misogyny Personified

Joffrey's decision to kill Ros can be attributed to his misogyny. Even Cersei Lannister, a powerful female character in the series, was subjected to Joffrey's cruel treatment. Cersei not only endured it because he was the king, but she also blamed herself for his brutality. She confided in Tyrion, suggesting that Joffrey's behavior could be a consequence of her relationship with her brother Jaime, which was considered taboo in the world of Game of Thrones. The tragic outcome of Ros in Game of Thrones ultimately resulted from a power struggle between Littlefinger and Varys.

Varys recruited Ros to assist him in his plan to help the Tyrells gain more power. In return for spying on Littlefinger, he promised her a partnership and protection. However, Varys's actions clashed with Littlefinger's desire to manipulate Sansa for his own benefit and his aspirations for the Iron Throne. Recognizing Ros's betrayal, Littlefinger handed her over to Joffrey, who saw it as an opportunity to try something new and daring.

In one strategic move, Littlefinger not only eliminated an adversary but also ingratiated himself with Joffrey, who was oblivious to the underlying politics. The show had already hinted at Ros' ominous fate back in season 2. Ros' failure to fulfill her duties prompted a discussion with Littlefinger about a previous girl who had let him down. It was revealed that he had sold her to a man who seemed to share Joffrey's penchant for cruelly tormenting defenseless women.

Joffrey Was So Despicable The Actor Playing Him Received Death Threats

Joffrey Baratheon, portrayed by Jack Gleeson, was widely regarded as one of the most despicable villains in Game of Thrones, possibly on par with Ramsay Bolton or even the Mad King himself. Jack Gleeson's portrayal of the character was so convincing that he faced death threats in real life. Following his time on GoT, Gleeson decided to take a hiatus from acting for approximately 6 years. However, he eventually made a comeback, both on stage in the play To Be a Machine and on the TV show Out of Her Mind. There were various reasons for his temporary departure from his acting career, and it is likely that the threats he received for his portrayal of Joffrey Baratheon played a role in influencing his decision to take a break.

Actions such as the execution of Ros in Game of Thrones and the constant abuse inflicted upon Sansa Stark were portrayed with such brilliance that the actor, Jack Gleeson, endured the repercussions of these exaggerated reactions for years. Gleeson's portrayal of Joffrey overshadowed his achievements in theater and other projects, even though his performance was inspired by history's real-life malevolent kings. While Joffrey Baratheon may be one of the most detestable characters in Game of Thrones, it is unfair for Jack Gleeson to have received such severe backlash for his exceptional portrayal. In fact, he may have even found solace in Joffrey's demise at the Purple Wedding, which marked the end of his reign of hatred. It is plausible that no one despises Joffrey more than the actor who brought him to life on screen.

The Ros Actress Praises The Surge In Intimacy Coordinators

The manner in which Joffrey executed Ros in Game of Thrones remains etched in the memories of viewers as one of the most brutally intense scenes in the series. However, this particular incident played a significant role in prompting improvements in how studios address the mental wellbeing of actors during the filming of sexually explicit content, particularly scenes involving sexual violence. Esme Bianco, who portrayed Ros in Game of Thrones, has been vocal about the necessity of intimacy coordinators, particularly during the Ros death scene and similar instances. Bianco elaborates (via Page Six):

I believe it is crucial for there to be someone dedicated to safeguarding the actors' safety, dignity, and comfort with their work. This can be challenging for directors who have numerous responsibilities on the day of shooting. Therefore, the inclusion of intimacy coordinators by HBO, although coming five years after Ros' onscreen death and in response to the #MeToo movement, is a positive development for future Game of Thrones projects. As these projects are likely to include more intimate scenes, having intimacy coordinators can be a valuable means of preventing trauma for both the actors and the audience. This increase in the presence of intimacy coordinators is indeed a positive outcome.