Could the White Walkers and Wights Have Circumvented the Wall by Using the Ocean?

The question of why the White Walkers and wights didn't circumvent the Wall by using the ocean bed is an intriguing one. This exploration delves into the potential explanations based on the lore from A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones.

Depth of the Ocean

The waters surrounding Westeros, particularly the Narrow Sea and the Bay of Seals, are quite deep. Walking on the ocean bed would require them to traverse significant depths, which could be impractical or impossible given the physical realities of swimming or walking in deep water. Deep oceanic environments are inhospitable to such creatures, posing a significant challenge for the White Walkers and wights.

Limited Intelligence of Wights

While the White Walkers are intelligent and strategic, wights are essentially mindless undead creatures. Their behavior is primarily driven by the will of their creators. The lack of individual intelligence among wights could limit their ability to employ complex strategies like circumventing the Wall. This poses a logistical and strategic challenge for the assault on the Wall.

Magical Constraints

The Wall is imbued with ancient magic designed to keep the White Walkers at bay. While they may not be directly affected by the Wall itself, it's possible that the magic extends to the surrounding areas, including the waters. This might prevent them from approaching the Wall from the sea. The magic barrier could be a significant hindrance, rendering any attempt to use the ocean bed ineffective.

Narrative Focus

From a storytelling perspective, the narrative of Game of Thrones frames the Wall as a significant barrier. The idea of the White Walkers easily circumventing it would undermine the tension and stakes associated with the Wall and its defense. This narrative focus ensures that the series maintains its dramatic and dramatic implications, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the conflict.

Geography and Logistics

Even if the wights could manage to reach the other side, the logistics of organizing a massive army of wights to climb the Wall or pile themselves up could be challenging. They would need to coordinate their movements, which may not be feasible given their nature. The structure of the Wall and the coordinated effort required to scale it would likely present a formidable obstacle.

Surprise and Timing

The White Walkers employed a strategy of surprise and overwhelming force. Directly attacking the Wall and breaching it was part of a larger plan to instill fear and demonstrate their power. The element of surprise would have been crucial in such an attack, and the strategic use of the Wall as a formidable barrier adds to this element of tension and dramatic impact.

Conclusion

While it's theoretically possible for the White Walkers and wights to circumvent the Wall, various factors—ranging from magical constraints and the nature of wights to narrative considerations—likely played a role in their approach to the Wall as depicted in the series. The deep ocean, lack of individual intelligence, magical constraints, narrative focus, and logistical challenges all contribute to the complex strategic landscape of the Wall and its defenders.