Top 10 Game of Thrones & House of the Dragon Speeches

Pedro Pascal was only in seven episodes of “Game of Thrones” but that was more than enough to turn him into a fan favorite. His character, Oberyn Martell, arrived in King’s Landing seeking revenge for his murdered sister and her children. Sadly, things didn’t go quite to plan. In this atmospheric scene, the mysterious prince visits Tyrion in his prison cell. He tells the story of a childhood meeting with the Lannister children, revealing his sense of compassion. Oberyn’s true motivations become clear and he concludes with an offer to fight for Tyrion in the upcoming trial by combat. It’s superbly acted by both Pascal and Peter Dinklage.

“House of the Dragon” may just be warming up when it comes to monologues, but thanks to the Shakespearian level villainy of Lord Larys, we already have a strong contender. After murdering his own brother for the good of team green, the future master of whisperers warns Queen Alicent of the pitfalls that come with children and familial love. The sentiments are bleak, but it’s some of the strongest writing of the series so far. Matthew Needham’s delivery is chilling, and leaves us in no doubt of the lengths his character will go to advance his own self-interest.

Like Oberyn, Robert Baratheon didn’t last long, but during his short tenure on the show he made a big impression. Robert may have been a drunk and a bad king, but he wasn’t a fool. The writing in series one allows the audience a glimpse of the former soldier who was once Ned Stark’s closest friend. In this scene, the king talks war stories with Barristan Selmy and Jaime Lannister. Mark Addy takes us back to the battlefields of their youth, holding us captive with a riveting speech about the first time his character killed a man.

Every fantasy film or show needs some rousing battle speeches and “Game of Thrones” has its fair share. In the battle against the Wildlings, Ser Alliser Thorne gives the Night’s Watch a strong incentive for holding Castle Black, while Theon’s speech to the Iron Islanders is the highlight of his time in command. However, it’s Tyrion’s speech, during the Battle of Blackwater Bay, that really stands out. He may not be a soldier but he knows how to play to a crowd. Instead of honor and glory, he focuses on the things that really matter to his men. By the time he’s finished, we’re all ready to follow him into battle.

George R.R Martin praised actor Paddy Considine for the portrayal of King Viserys, which the author felt was an improvement on his character in the book. When Viserys makes this speech during his final meal, it’s easy to understand the hype. In a rare moment of peace between the warring sections of the family, the King has all his loved ones gathered together. He makes a toast, expressing his love for the people around the table and his hopes that they will reconcile their differences. It’s touching, but also tragic. We know that his wishes are futile and his death will soon divide the family forever.

It’s hard to remember a time before Daenerys Stormborn walked into the fire and emerged as the mother of dragons. With each season her power grew and each new stage was marked with a speech. The address to the Unsullied at Astapor is still one of our favorites, but by the time Dany reached Meereen she’d fine-tuned her powers of rhetoric. Here she speaks directly to the city’s slaves, in a speech that aims to convince them that she delivers on her promises. As proof, she catapults the broken collars of the freed slaves of Astapor and Yunkai into the city. It’s a good pitch, delivered with flair.

Olenna Tyrell may be a wise old woman, but she’s not made in the traditional mold. With her barbed tongue and sharp wit every scene with her is a joy. It was hard to say goodbye to the Queen of Thorns, but she went out on a high, dropping a bombshell on Jaime Lannister in a spine-tingling final speech. When the Lannister forces march into Highgarden, Jaime generously offers the Tyrell matriarch a quick death by poison. She makes her last confession with more relish than remorse. Diana Rigg’s delivery of that final barb is truly iconic.

From the very beginning, Littlefinger was a major player in the game of thrones. This speech, to Varys in season three, sums up his life philosophy. When Aidan Gillen says that famous line we get chills every time. In the early days, it was easy to view Lords Varys and Baelish as two sides of the same coin, but this scene highlights their differences. Varys’s priority is the realm, while Littlefinger always puts himself, and his ambition, first. The reveal of the murdered Ros, like the betrayal of Ned Stark before it, reminds us of the lengths Littlefinger will go to to advance his own cause and thwart those who stand in his way.

You probably remember this scene as ‘the one with Jaime and Brienne in the bath’ but although it’s long and complex, the writers didn’t need any ‘sexposition’ to make us pay attention. Over the course of a five minute monologue, Jaime Lannister transformed from one of the series’ most hated villains into a misunderstood anti-hero with a devastating back-story. The writing is impeccable and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s acting is to be applauded. As Jaime finally opens up to share the events that have haunted him throughout his adult life, he radiates anger and bitterness. However, it’s his vulnerability that gives the scene its emotional weight.

Peter Dinklage won four, well-deserved Emmys for his work on “Game of Thrones” and we could include many of his scenes and speeches here. But there’s one moment that seems to say more about his character than any other. Brought before his cold-hearted father and on trial for his life, Tyrion’s usual veneer of wit and diplomacy lifts. Beneath it we see a man who is vulnerable, furious and brutally honest. His anger is mostly for Tywin, but also for every person who has ever failed to give him the respect he deserves, simply because of his Dwarfism. It’s a speech delivered with real venom and it's immensely satisfying to watch - but it’s heartbreaking too.

Which “Game of Thrones” speech made the biggest impression on you? Share your favorites in the comments!