Unlocking Littlefinger's Secret: The Untold Meaning Behind 'Chaos Is A Ladder' in Game of Thrones

In Game of Thrones season 3, episode 6 "The Climb," Lord Varys surprises Lord Petyr Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, in the throne room as he fixates on the Iron Throne. Varys, who serves as the Master of Whisperers on Joffrey Baratheon's small council, approaches Baelish, the Master of Coin, with the intention of discussing the symbolic significance of the throne. He remarks, "A thousand blades, taken from the hands of Aegon's fallen enemies. Forged in the fiery breath of Balerion the Dread." However, Baelish quickly dismisses this claim by pointing out that he has counted only about two hundred blades on the Iron Throne.

Although Baelish would prefer to continue admiring the royal chair, the sarcastic and argumentative Varys diminishes the allure of the Iron Throne by referring to it as an "ugly old thing" and "the Lysa Arryn of chairs." Varys deliberately associates the throne with Lysa Arryn to strike a personal blow at Baelish. At this point, the crown is engaged in a war against Robb Stark and his allies, and Tywin Lannister is determined to crush the rebellion by any means necessary. Nevertheless, the true significance of Baelish's forthcoming statement about the power of chaos is yet to be revealed in the storytelling and subtext of Game of Thrones.

Littlefinger Says Titles Seem To Breed Titles

In Game of Thrones season 3, episode 3, "Walk of Punishment," Lord Tywin convenes a small council meeting where Baelish, also known as Littlefinger, asserts himself by claiming the seat to Tywin's left. Varys occupies the second-closest chair. Tywin reprimands the council for their ignorance regarding Jaime Lannister's whereabouts and requests updates. Varys informs him that Robb Stark and his bannermen are attending Lord Hoster Tully's funeral in Riverrun, while Roose Bolton holds Harrenhal in Robb's absence. Varys subtly criticizes Littlefinger's promotion as Lord of Harrenhal by acknowledging that Bolton effectively holds power over the castle. In response, Tywin dismisses the importance of the castle, suggesting that the title alone makes Littlefinger a suitable match for Jon Arryn's widow, Lysa.

Varys reacts disapprovingly, and Littlefinger expresses gratitude to Tywin, revealing his longstanding connection with Lysa Arryn from their childhood. Grand Maester Pycelle interjects, explaining that a successful courtship with Lysa would make Littlefinger the acting Lord of the Vale. Essentially, this would force Robb Stark, who has rebelled against the crown, to remove Lysa and the Vale from his list of potential allies. With this in mind, Tywin assigns Littlefinger the task of bringing Lysa into their alliance, sending him to the Eyrie. While these discussions occur among the members of the small council, it becomes apparent that each character at the table is motivated by their own personal agendas.

Littlefinger's Machinations

Varys claims that Littlefinger, also known as Baelish, is the most dangerous man in Westeros. In Game of Thrones season 3, episode 4, "And Now His Watch Is Ended," he reveals that Baelish arranged a marriage between Sansa Stark and Olenna Tyrell's grandson, Ser Loras. Varys believes that Sansa is the key to the North and can be used to gain power if her brother, Robb Stark, falls. Varys learns of Baelish's plan to take Sansa to Eyrie through his informant, Ros. However, Baelish is already aware of the Tyrell-Stark marriage plot, thanks to his spy Olyvar, as revealed in Game of Thrones season 3, episode 5 "Kissed by Fire." Baelish shares this information with Tywin, who then outmaneuvers the Tyrells by arranging a marriage between Tyrion and Sansa. This alliance will give Tywin's house control of Winterfell and the North.

Varys argues that he orchestrated the Stark-Tyrell marriage for the greater good of the realm, emphasizing that disregarding the welfare of the realm will lead to chaos. Baelish, on the other hand, sees chaos as an opportunity to further his own interests. He believes chaos is not a pit but a ladder, using it to manipulate people and exploit their differences. Baelish's strategy is evident in his actions, such as when he gave Lysa the Tears of Lys to poison her husband, Jon Arryn. He then coerced her into writing a letter to Catelyn, falsely accusing the Lannisters of Jon's murder, thus igniting the conflict between the Starks and the Lannisters.

In the end, Baelish's betrayal of Catelyn Stark, his manipulation of her against her sister Lysa, and his involvement in Ned Stark's demise proved to be his undoing. After eliminating Lysa by pushing her through the Moon Door, he seized control of the Vale. However, his ultimate ambition to sit on the Iron Throne led him to sell Sansa to the Boltons. Yet, it was Sansa who ultimately exposed his treachery and orchestrated his execution for treason and murder in the final episode of Game of Thrones season 7, "The Dragon and the Wolf." Varys' warning that chaos is an insatiable void became a reality, and Baelish faced the consequences he deserved.