Age of Daenerys Targaryen in George R.R. Martin’s 'A Song of Ice and Fire' Series vs. HBO's 'Game of Thrones'

Introduction

Daenerys Targaryen, one of the most iconic characters in the world of fantasy literature and television, has captivated audiences for years with her complex journey and central role in the tumultuous narrative of Westeros. In George R.R. Martin’s 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, Daenerys's timeline is carefully crafted, leaving readers to carefully follow her chronology. However, the adaptations to the HBO series ‘Game of Thrones’ introduce several age discrepancies, often causing confusion among fans. Let’s explore the age of Daenerys in both mediums and discuss the narrative decisions behind these changes.

The Age of Daenerys in the Books

Those familiar with George R.R. Martin’s 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series will know that Daenerys Targaryen is introduced at the age of 13 in the first book, 'A Game of Thrones'. She reaches the age of 14 shortly after the events of the first book and is 15 to 16 years old towards the end of 'A Clash of Kings'. By the time the final novel in the series, 'A Dance with Dragons', concludes, Daenerys is about 16 years old.

The Age of Daenerys in the Show

The adaptation of the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series to HBO’s 'Game of Thrones' presents a storyline where the characters age differently. Daenerys is portrayed as a 15 to 16-year-old at the start of the show, and subsequent events in the show suggest she is now 22 to 23 years old. This significant age difference is notable and has led to extensive discussions among fans.

The 'one year per season' rule is often applied to the show's timeline, which results in a more extended timeline. However, this approximation is not always accurate in the show, and the actual age discrepancy may be even greater. Notable changes in characters’ ages include Daenerys, Ned Stark, Arya Stark, Jon Snow, and Robb Stark. These characters are significantly older in the show than in the books, particularly Daenerys, who is nearly a decade older in 'Game of Thrones'.

Narrative Justifications for the Age Divergence

One of the primary reasons for the age change in the show is the mature content, especially in the episode where Daenerys is raped by Khal Drogo. In the show, Emilia Clarke, the actress who portrays Daenerys, was 22 when the first season of 'Game of Thrones' was filmed. In the books, she is described as a young girl, and casting a young actress was unrealistic for the sensitive scenes depicted in the show. Similarly, other characters like Jon Snow, Arya Stark, and the Night's Watch members needed to appear as more mature and experienced, which aligns better with the demands of their roles in the show.

George R.R. Martin's Perspective

George R.R. Martin himself has acknowledged and even embraced the changes in the show. In an interview, he stated that he believes it is better to age the characters for television. Martin even said he would have aged them up himself if he could have rewritten the books. This perspective underscores the importance of contextualizing the narrative in the context of different media forms.

Conclusion

The discrepancies in the ages of Daenerys Targaryen between the books and the show have sparked intense discussions among fans. While the books provide a linear timeline that closely follows the events, the show introduces significant changes to portray the characters more realistically for the medium of television. Understanding these differences is crucial for fans to grasp the nuances of both the literary and television adaptations.