Varys the Spider: Truly Caring for the Realm or Pursuing Personal Ambitions?

In the complex world of Game of Thrones and the Song of Ice and Fire novels, the enigmatic figure of Varys the Spider has captured the imagination of readers and viewers alike. The question persists: does Varys genuinely care about the welfare of the realm, or is he primarily motivated by his own personal ambitions?

Understanding the Differences in Representation

The portrayal of Varys differs significantly between the books and the television series. In the books, A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, Varys is depicted as a complex character with a deeply self-interested and morally bankrupt agenda. He is more than just a spider, but a vapid manipulator who operates under the guise of serving the greater good, albeit that good is often for personal gain.

On the other hand, in the TV series Game of Thrones, Varys is portrayed as a more nuanced character driven by the greater good of the realm. This shift in portrayal highlights the different approaches to character development and narrative focus. While the series may be more accessible and relatable, the books delve deeper into the complexities of Varys' motivations.

Self-Interest and Manipulation

According to the novels, Varys is more self-interested than Littlefinger himself. He is known to import mutilated slave children to serve as spies and murders them when they become too old, a practice that starkly shows his disregard for human life. Additionally, he actively encouraged the civil war, not to prevent it, but because he wanted it to happen. His primary goal is to support his chosen candidate for the Iron Throne, Aegon VI Targaryen, who is a surrogate child raised in secret by him.
His actions are motivated by his own political aspirations and not by a genuine desire for the realm's welfare. Varys sees peace and progress under Kevan Lannister and Pycelle as a threat to his plans, leading him to murder them in cold blood. This demonstrates a clear disregard for stability in the realm, which he manipulates to further his goals.

The backroom deals and murky politics paint a picture of a man who deliberately wants the realm to remain unstable and war-torn. He believes that chaos can provide him with the opportunity to maneuver and seize power, much like a spider weaving its intricate webs to catch its prey.

Questioning Aegon's Identity and Motivations

The true identity of Aegon VI Targaryen, Varys' chosen candidate, is also a point of contention. Some theorize that Aegon is not who he claims to be. Better readers have extensively argued that Aegon and Varys may be female-line Blackfyres, making Varys the vanguard of the fourth Blackfyre Rebellion. This further undermines his claim of serving the realm's welfare and instead presents him as a power-hungry figure.

Even if Varys truly wants Aegon to be a good king, his motivations remain tantalizingly personal. If Aegon proves to be a good ruler, Varys would have secured his position and lasting influence. However, his initial actions and subsequent behavior suggest a more complex and malevolent agenda than a genuine desire for the realm's prosperity.

The Exception: Ned Stark's Lasting Influence

There is one notable exception to Varys' general disdain for the realm's welfare: his treatment of Ned Stark. Varys is likely to have wanted Ned to be sent to the Wall, possibly to co-opt him later to support Faegon and the succession. This particular action aligns more closely with a genuine interest in the realm's stability, but it is a rare exception to his broader playbook.

Conclusion: Varys as a Manipulative Figure

In conclusion, whether Varys genuinely cares for the welfare of the realm depends largely on the source material. In the books, he is a much more self-interested and morally bankrupt figure. His actions are driven by personal ambition rather than a genuine desire for the realm's prosperity. In the TV series, his portrayal is more nuanced, but his underlying motivations remain suspicious.

Understanding Varys requires a deep dive into the complex world of Game of Thrones, where loyalty and manipulation are often intertwined. While his actions may be complex and multi-layered, they ultimately point towards a character who is more concerned with his own political maneuvering than the well-being of the realm.