Who Killed King Joffrey In Game Of Thrones

The Purple Wedding. A scene forever etched in the minds of Game of Thrones fans. The sheer shock, the horror, and the suddenness of it all. But who killed King Joffrey in Game of Thrones? The question lingered for many, even after the initial reveal.

We remember the smug, spoiled king choking to death during his wedding feast. Was it some vengeful plot, an accident, or pure luck? The truth, as it often does, involved a mix of carefully laid plans and opportune moments. Let’s delve into the conspiracy that brought down the boy king.

Who Killed King Joffrey in Game of Thrones?

The death of King Joffrey Baratheon at his own wedding feast is one of the most shocking and satisfying moments in Game of Thrones. It was a major turning point in the series, and it left viewers wondering, “Who did it?” While it may seem simple, the plot was actually quite complicated, with several people playing a part. Let’s explore exactly who was involved in the demise of the cruel boy king.

The Poison and the Plan

Joffrey didn’t just drop dead. He was poisoned. But it wasn’t just any poison; it was a rare and potent one called “The Strangler.” This poison acts quickly, causing the victim to choke and suffocate. We saw Joffrey struggling, his face turning purple as the poison took effect. The key to the poison’s delivery was hidden in plain sight. It was smuggled in during the wedding celebration.

The Delivery Method: Sansa’s Necklace

The Strangler wasn’t just handed to Joffrey; it was cleverly introduced through a seemingly innocent piece of jewelry. Remember the necklace Dontos Hollard gave to Sansa? It was a beautiful silver necklace with dark purple stones. What Sansa didn’t know was that the stones weren’t ordinary gems. One of them was hollowed out and contained the deadly poison.

• The necklace: Beautiful, silver, and seemingly harmless.
• The hollow gem: Concealed The Strangler poison.
• Dontos Hollard: The one who gave the necklace to Sansa.

The Masterminds: Olenna Tyrell and Petyr Baelish

So, who was actually pulling the strings? The real masterminds behind Joffrey’s assassination were Olenna Tyrell, also known as the Queen of Thorns, and Petyr Baelish, or Littlefinger. They had the motive, means, and opportunity to get rid of the young tyrant.

Olenna Tyrell: The Queen of Thorns’ Revenge

Olenna Tyrell was fiercely protective of her family, and she saw Joffrey as a threat to her granddaughter, Margaery. Joffrey’s cruelty, especially toward Sansa, was also likely a driving factor. Olenna was smart and strategic, and she used her cunning to plan Joffrey’s murder. She didn’t want her family to be at the mercy of Joffrey’s insane and often unpredictable behavior.

Motive: Protection of her granddaughter and family.
Personality: Calculating and strategic.
Role: She was the one who actually took the poison from the necklace and put it in Joffrey’s wine glass.

Petyr Baelish: The Opportunistic Manipulator

Petyr Baelish, or Littlefinger, was a master of chaos and manipulation. He had his own reasons for wanting Joffrey dead. By removing Joffrey, he created more instability in King’s Landing, which he could use to his own advantage. His goal was to climb the social ladder and gain power. Littlefinger’s involvement in Joffrey’s assassination was crucial, as he set the stage for the entire plot.

Motive: Creating chaos and increasing his own power.
Personality: Manipulative and opportunistic.
Role: He set up the scheme and provided the poison.

The Accomplices: Dontos Hollard and Sansa Stark

While Olenna and Petyr were the masterminds, two others played important, albeit unwitting, roles in the plot – Dontos Hollard and Sansa Stark. They were both manipulated into positions that made the assassination possible.

Dontos Hollard: The Unwitting Pawn

Dontos Hollard was a knight who, after he saved Sansa’s life in the first season, was working for Littlefinger. He was the one who gave Sansa the necklace, not knowing it contained poison. He was just following instructions and was used as a pawn in Baelish’s schemes. Dontos did what he was told in exchange for promises of help and safety, but it all ended badly for him.

• Role: Gave the poisoned necklace to Sansa.
• Motivation: Believed he was helping Sansa and himself.
• Fate: Killed shortly after the murder for his involvement.

Sansa Stark: The Unfortunate Recipient

Sansa was a victim of circumstance in the entire affair. She wore the necklace given to her by Dontos without knowing its deadly secret. She didn’t know it was the key part of the whole scheme, so she was just minding her own business during the event, while having this deadly object around her neck. The whole thing turned into a dreadful experience for her.

Role: Wore the necklace that contained the poison.
Knowledge: Completely unaware of the plot.
Impact: She was immediately suspected of the crime.

How It All Happened: The Wedding Feast

The actual poisoning took place during Joffrey’s wedding feast. The scene is incredibly tense and dramatic as it’s all unfolded in front of everyone. This is how it all went down:

1. The Wine: Joffrey was being his usual cruel self, tormenting Tyrion at the wedding celebration.
2. The Cup: He ordered Tyrion to fill his wine cup.
3. The Poison: While Tyrion was distracted, Olenna took the poison from Sansa’s necklace. She took advantage of the opportunity and discreetly poured the poison into Joffrey’s goblet.
4. The Drink: Joffrey drank the poisoned wine.
5. The Choking: He immediately started choking, his face turning purple as the poison worked rapidly.
6. The Death: Despite attempts to help him, Joffrey died on the spot, sending the entire wedding into chaos.

Why Was Tyrion Blamed?

Immediately after Joffrey’s death, suspicion fell upon Tyrion Lannister. He was, after all, the last person to serve Joffrey a drink. Also, Tyrion had a history of conflict with Joffrey, which made him an easy target. The circumstances were perfectly framed to make him appear guilty.

Opportunity: He was the one who poured Joffrey’s wine.
Conflict: He had a strained relationship with Joffrey.
Framed: Cersei, always suspicious of Tyrion, immediately accused him of murder.

The Aftermath and Consequences

Joffrey’s death had a ripple effect on the rest of the story. Here are some key consequences:

Tyrion’s Trial: Tyrion was arrested and put on trial for Joffrey’s murder. He was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to death.
Chaos in King’s Landing: Joffrey’s death threw King’s Landing into chaos. The power balance was completely shattered, and various factions started to fight for control.
Sansa’s Escape: She fled King’s Landing with Littlefinger, leading her on a new journey far away from the capital.
Olenna and Petyr’s Freedom: Olenna and Littlefinger managed to get away without being immediately suspected, giving them freedom to manipulate events.

The Bigger Picture

Joffrey’s death was more than just a shocking plot point. It was a symbol of the political games and violence that defined Game of Thrones. It highlighted the themes of power, revenge, and the consequences of actions. It also showed how even small players could affect big changes in the story. The assassination had a great influence on the following events, changing the direction of the show.

Key Takeaways

Here are a few important things we learned from the death of King Joffrey:

1. Appearances are deceiving: Things are never what they seem in the world of Game of Thrones, as a simple necklace hid a deadly secret.
2. Manipulation is a powerful tool: Olenna and Baelish used their cunning and manipulation to carry out their plan.
3. Power is constantly shifting: Joffrey’s death shifted the power dynamics in King’s Landing and beyond.
4. Consequences matter: The actions of those who planned and carried out Joffrey’s death had far-reaching effects.

The death of Joffrey was a masterfully plotted event in Game of Thrones. It was the result of careful planning, manipulation, and a little bit of luck. While Olenna Tyrell and Petyr Baelish were the masterminds, everyone involved played a part in the demise of the horrible king. The story of his assassination highlights the complex and often brutal world of Game of Thrones. The way they used the poison, the necklace, and other small details proves just how brilliant the story really is.

Lady Olenna Finally Reveals Who Killed Joffrey : game of thrones s7 ep 3

Final Thoughts

Olenna Tyrell, with help from Petyr Baelish, orchestrated Joffrey’s death. They used poison during his wedding feast. The poison, hidden within Sansa’s necklace, made its way into Joffrey’s wine.

This intricate plot answered the burning question: who killed King Joffrey in Game of Thrones. Petyr Baelish provided crucial support to Olenna which ensured success of their plan. She acted due to her hatred and desire to protect her family.