Tommen Baratheon jumped from the Red Keep after witnessing the destruction of the Great Sept of Baelor, a tragic event that directly led to his death.
The heartbreaking story of King Tommen Baratheon is one of the most devastating arcs in Game of Thrones. Many viewers are left wondering: what happened to Tommen in Game of Thrones? This young king, often manipulated and ultimately powerless, found himself at the mercy of the chaotic political climate of Westeros.
His reign was brief and marked by instability, heavily influenced by his mother, Cersei. Ultimately, Tommen’s tragic end came as a consequence of his mother’s actions.
What Happened to Tommen in Game of Thrones?
Tommen Baratheon, the youngest of Cersei Lannister’s children, had a short but significant reign as the King of the Seven Kingdoms in Game of Thrones. He wasn’t like his older brother, Joffrey; Tommen was kind, gentle, and easily influenced. But being a king in Westeros was never easy, especially with so many people vying for power. Let’s dive into the story of Tommen, from his unexpected coronation to his tragic end.
Tommen’s Ascent to the Iron Throne
Tommen’s path to the Iron Throne was paved with tragedy. He became king not because he was next in line, but because both his older brother, Joffrey, and his supposed father, King Robert Baratheon, died. Robert’s death was due to a hunting accident, and Joffrey’s was the result of poisoning during his wedding feast. Suddenly, the quiet and unassuming Tommen, barely a teenager, was thrust into the role of king. This unexpected turn of events greatly changed the course of the story.
The Regency Period
Because Tommen was so young, he couldn’t rule alone. Initially, his mother Cersei served as the Queen Regent. This meant she made most of the important decisions on his behalf. However, Cersei’s decisions weren’t always the best, and they often led to conflict and trouble for the kingdom. The kingdom was very unstable at that time, with various groups vying for influence and power. Cersei was a powerful player in this game, but not everyone trusted her. She was often a controversial figure, and her choices often had major consequences.
Tommen’s Character and Challenges
Unlike Joffrey, who was cruel and sadistic, Tommen had a gentle heart. He preferred playing with kittens to engaging in war or politics. This made him very different from the typical Westerosi rulers, who were usually tough and ruthless. However, his kind nature made him susceptible to manipulation. People like his mother, Cersei, and the High Sparrow used his kindness to their advantage, which ultimately led to his downfall. He struggled to navigate the complex world of court politics, as many sought to control him.
Tommen and Margaery Tyrell
One of the few bright spots in Tommen’s life was his marriage to Margaery Tyrell. Margaery was charming, intelligent, and skilled in the game of politics. She genuinely cared for Tommen, and tried to guide him toward better decisions. However, their relationship was also complicated by Margaery’s ambition and the political environment they found themselves in. Margaery was a smart woman and saw the potential for real good to come from her marriage with Tommen, but not all of her ideas were good for the realm, or at least that’s how some people saw them.
- Margaery tried to teach Tommen how to be a good king.
- They enjoyed spending time together.
- Their marriage brought some peace and stability to the kingdom for a short time.
The Rise of the Faith Militant and The High Sparrow
A major turning point in Tommen’s reign was the rise of the Faith Militant, led by the High Sparrow. This religious group gained a lot of power, and the High Sparrow convinced Tommen that the crown needed to be more pious. The High Sparrow, a very smart man, took advantage of Tommen’s naivety and made the young king make decisions that would serve his own purposes.
The High Sparrow’s Influence on Tommen
The High Sparrow’s influence over Tommen was a significant factor in what happened to the young king. He convinced Tommen that the royal family and the court were corrupt and that he needed to repent. Tommen began to follow the High Sparrow’s teachings, and the High Sparrow’s teachings often went directly against those of the crown. The High Sparrow’s teachings and ideology began to significantly challenge Cersei and the other influential families of King’s Landing. Tommen became a pawn in the High Sparrow’s religious agenda. He genuinely believed that he was doing the right thing, but he did not see the dangers he was putting himself and his family into.
Cersei’s Arrest and Imprisonment
Due to the High Sparrow’s increasing power, even Cersei fell under his influence. The Faith Militant imprisoned her for her past sins. This imprisonment, and the humiliation that came with it, further fueled Cersei’s desire for vengeance and further pushed Tommen into the High Sparrow’s clutches. Tommen, caught in the middle of this family conflict, felt completely lost and uncertain. Cersei’s imprisonment served as a catalyst for the upcoming conflict that would lead to Tommen’s eventual demise.
The Trial of Cersei and the Sept of Baelor
Cersei’s imprisonment eventually led to a trial. But, instead of facing the court, Cersei set in motion her plan for revenge, setting the stage for Tommen’s tragic end. Her plan resulted in massive chaos and destruction, making King’s Landing a dangerous place. She decided to take matters into her own hands, without considering the consequences her actions would have on her son, Tommen. Cersei did not even try to find out what the consequences would be, she just wanted revenge.
The Great Sept of Baelor Explosion
Cersei decided to use wildfire to destroy the Great Sept of Baelor. This was the place where she was supposed to stand trial, but she opted for this violent solution instead. This resulted in the deaths of many people, including Margaery Tyrell, her brother Loras, the High Sparrow, and many other members of the Faith Militant. This act of violence had terrible ramifications for King Tommen.
This incident changed the course of the game for everyone and it was completely unexpected by everyone. Everyone who thought they were safe from harm were instantly wiped out in the blast. This also affected Tommen in more ways than one, as he was at a great loss due to Cersei’s actions.
- The Great Sept of Baelor is where many high profile figures of King’s Landing were attending.
- Cersei used wildfire, an extremely dangerous chemical, to carry out the explosion.
- This explosion served as an act of revenge against Cersei’s enemies.
- However, it also caused many innocent lives to be taken, including Margaery.
Tommen’s Tragic Death
When Tommen saw the explosion of the Sept, he was completely devastated. He watched in horror as the building exploded, and he realized his wife, Margaery, was gone. He was unable to process the destruction caused by his mother, and the death of the woman he loved. It was all too much for him. He simply couldn’t cope with the magnitude of the situation and the horror of what he had just seen.
Tommen’s Suicide
Overwhelmed by grief and despair, Tommen took off his crown and walked to a window of the Red Keep, he simply jumped out of the window to his death. This action showed that he had completely given up on his responsibility of being King. His suicide marked a sad and tragic end for a young king who was simply too kind for the world of Westeros. Tommen’s death was very heartbreaking for viewers, and many felt bad for his character due to his tragic ending. His actions left the throne open for Cersei, who was more than happy to fill it.
The Immediate Aftermath
Tommen’s death had a huge impact on the political landscape of Westeros. It solidified Cersei’s control over the Iron Throne, but at a great cost. With Tommen and Margaery gone, the alliances and political balance of power in King’s Landing shifted significantly. Cersei’s actions resulted in her having no rivals to the Iron Throne, so she could once again rule over the realm, in her own terms. The kingdom continued on in chaos and destruction as Cersei solidified her grasp on the kingdom. Tommen’s death marked the beginning of a new era of chaos and conflict in the game of thrones.
Tommen’s story is a sad reminder that kindness and goodness aren’t always enough in a brutal world like Westeros. His gentle nature, which could have been a strength, was ultimately his downfall as it was easily manipulated by more ruthless figures.
The gentle king was lost in the game of thrones due to his lack of experience in ruling and the many political forces that sought to control him. His death served as a harsh reminder of the brutal nature of power and how it can corrupt even the most innocent of souls. He was a victim of circumstance and his death served as a consequence of the power struggles of those around him.
Why Did Tommen Baratheon Commit Suicide? The Tragic Story Behind the Young King’s Death
Final Thoughts
Tommen’s character arc ended tragically. He witnessed his mother destroy the Great Sept of Baelor with wildfire. This act consumed his wife, Margaery Tyrell, and many others.
The sheer horror of it all caused profound despair. He then made the decision to jump from a window. So, what happened to tommen in game of thrones? He took his own life, unable to face the cruel world around him.
