Unveiling the Mysteries: Decoding the Night's Watch Vows in Game of Thrones
Unveiling the Night's Watch Vows in Game of Thrones Delve into the profound meaning behind the Shield that Guards the Realms of Men and the sacred Oath of Duty Explore the captivating essence of the Night's Watch Oath
Highlights
Jon Snow's commitment to the Night's Watch is tested when he learns of his father's death, but his friends remind him of his lifelong oath.
The Night's Watch pledge requires sacrificing personal wants and loyalties to safeguard the realms of mankind. Despite battling in various wars and confronting political challenges, Jon ultimately fulfills his obligation as a committed member of the Night's Watch.
During season 1, episode 10 of Game of Thrones titled "Fire and Blood," Jon discovers that the boy king, Joffrey Baratheon, has executed his father (actually his uncle) by beheading. Overwhelmed with anger and determination, Jon temporarily abandons his duties as a member of the Night's Watch and joins his half-brother Robb on a journey to the South, intending to avenge his family's honor by killing the king. Despite being bound by a lifelong commitment in his oath to the Night's Watch, which can only be broken in death, Jon fails to grasp the true significance of his promise.
Attempting to dissuade Jon from deserting, his loyal friend and fellow member of the Night's Watch, Samwell Tarly, reminds him of the severe consequences that await deserters, including death. Sam physically blocks Jon's path, but he ignores him and continues riding forward with his loyal direwolf, Ghost, by his side. Shortly afterward, in the episode "Fire and Blood," Sam informs their comrades Grenn and Pyp about Jon's departure, and they manage to catch up with him. They encircle him, reaffirm their allegiance with a recitation of their vows, and present him with his renowned Valyrian steel sword, Longclaw.
The Shield That Guards The Realms Of Men
- "But it does not matter. You made a solemn vow, and you are bound by it," declares Grenn, emphasizing, "You cannot. You uttered the words." At this juncture, Sam proceeds to recite the oath of the Night's Watch, with Grenn and Pyp joining in. It almost appears as if Jon simply needs a gentle reminder because he has always longed to serve the Watch and take the same oath as his uncle, Benjen Stark.
In Game of Thrones season 1, episode 1 "Winter Is Coming," Jon insists on riding for the Wall with his uncle Benjen. However, Benjen, wearing all-black attire, advises Jon to reconsider due to the fact that the men of the Watch are not allowed to have families. "None of us will ever have sons," states Benjen. Jon, on the other hand, disregards this and responds, "I do not care about that." As the series progresses, Jon experiences the impact of Ned's beheading and Robb's war, yet he remains committed to the complex oath he made. After the Battle of Winterfell, which culminated in the victory of the living over the Dead, Jon recalls a significant line from the Night's Watch vows in season 8, episode 4, "The Last of the Starks," as he bids farewell to those who lost their lives in battle.
"They were the guardians who protected the realms of mankind. And their kind will never be witnessed again," he states as the assembled start to ignite the funeral pyres.
Whether still a member of the Night's Watch or not, Jon remains a loyal brother even long after proclaiming, "My duty has come to an end." He takes command in the battle against the Night King and the Army of the Dead, even though it is Arya Stark who delivers the decisive blow to the icy zombies. Jon inspires the living to unite under the Night's Watch pledge, symbolizing the need for individuals, regardless of their differences, to join forces and sacrifice together.
The Oath Of Duty
The Night's Watch Oath
The Night's Watch brothers are bound by a solemn duty, making numerous sacrifices along the way. They willingly relinquish their right to inheritance, marriage, family, and land ownership, remaining steadfast in their commitment to the Watch's cause(s). By renouncing all previous allegiances, they are absolved of past transgressions. Becoming a part of the Night's Watch marks a fresh start for the newly enlisted, granting them an opportunity to rewrite their life's story. Even volunteers from noble Houses like Jon Snow, Benjen Stark, and Jeor Mormont, who choose to defend the Wall without being compelled by punishment, swear a similar oath. Progressing through the ranks, members of the Watch, such as Jon Snow, have ascended from the Stewards to become the respected Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
The Night's Watch, under the leadership of Castle Black, is a sacred brotherhood where its members strive to uphold their solemn oaths. Once solely dedicated to defending the realm from the Free Folk, the Watch's ancient duty was to safeguard the realms of men from the imminent danger posed by the White Walkers.
Listen to my words and witness my commitment. As darkness falls, my duty begins. It will not cease until my demise. I shall abstain from marriage, property, and offspring. I will not seek power or glory. I will live and die steadfast in my duty. I am the protector in the shadows, the vigilant guardian on the fortifications. I am the shield that defends the realms of men. I dedicate my life and integrity to the Night's Watch, for tonight and all future nights.
The phrase "wear no crowns and win no glory" represents the Night's Watch's pledge of neutrality in any conflicts within the Seven Kingdoms. This explains Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's sympathetic yet taunting reaction when Jon confesses that he abandoned his post to fight alongside his brother Robb. "Do you believe your brother's war is more significant than ours?" Jeor questions. "When the dead and worse come hunting for us in the night, do you believe it matters who sits on the Iron Throne?" This realization prompts Jon to value the importance of his vow. The following day, in the episode "Fire and Blood" of Game of Thrones, the Night's Watch sets out beyond the Wall to investigate peculiar reports.
Jon's pledge remains in effect until his fellow brothers commit mutiny, resulting in his death for bringing the Free Folk to the right side of the Wall. Resurrected by Melisandre in the second episode of Game of Thrones season 6, titled "Home," Jon seeks retribution by executing the mutineers and formally resigns from the Night's Watch in the subsequent episode, "Oathbreaker."
While Jon valiantly fights alongside the Wildlings in the Battle of Winterfell, uniting the North against the threat of the White Walkers, he also becomes embroiled in the power struggles of the Seven Kingdoms. Ultimately, Jon concludes his arduous journey in Game of Thrones as a dedicated member of the Night's Watch. Tyrion reminds Jon of his vow, instructing him to abstain from marriage, land ownership, and fatherhood, to which Jon willingly agrees.
