Gregor Clegane vs. Joffrey Baratheon: Whose Evil Outshines the Other?

In the grim and dramatic world of Westeros, two figures loom large as recurring emblems of evil and corruption: Ser Gregor Clegane, known as the Mountain, and Prince Joffrey Baratheon. Both are depicted as malevolent forces, but which one pales into insignificance compared to the other? This article delves into the darker side of each character, exploring their atrocities and determining whose evil truly outshines the other.

Gregor Clegane: True-Life Psychopathic Monster

Gregor Clegane, also known as the Mountain, is a brooding and imposing figure in the fictional world of A Song of Ice and Fire. Unlike his noble counterparts, Gregor is a real psychopathic monster. His actions are cold, calculated, and devoid of any moral compass.

From a young age, Gregor displayed a capacity for horrific violence. He burnt half of his younger brother's face, an act that speaks volumes about his character. This moment sets the tone for his subsequent actions, which only become more heinous with each passing day.

Gregor's crimes extend far beyond just causing disfigurements. Rumors abound of his involvement in the killing of his father and sisters, a stark illustration of his cold-blooded nature. The fact that he was willing to take a life, even that of a child, shows his lack of empathy and any semblance of decency.

The Unforgivable Horror: the Death of Aegon and Princess Elia

Forgoing any pretense of chivalry, Gregor perpetrated some of the most grievous acts known to Westeros. One such act involves the brutal murder of young Prince Aegon by bashing his head against a wall. This cold-blooded act showcases the Mountain's willingness to sacrifice even innocent lives for his own twisted goals.

His atrocities do not remain confined to the battlefield. Gregor raped and killed Princess Elia Martell, leaving her young children to bear the tragedy. The horror of this incident is compounded by the fact that the Mountain's hands still carried the blood of the child at the time of the murder. Such disregard for life and consequence is a testament to his monstrous nature.

Gregor's terrorization of the smallfolk in his own territories and the Riverlands during the War of the Five Kings is legendary. His pillaging and brutality know no bounds, slaughtering both men and women indiscriminately while raping young girls as young as 13. It is this kind of heartless, remorseless violence that sets him apart from his noble counterparts and makes him a true embodiment of evil in the series.

Perhaps his most chilling act was the cruel and sadistic punishment he inflicted upon the turncloak sellsword, Vargo Hoat. After capturing Harrenhal, Gregor had Hoat's own chopped limbs fed to him, a twisted form of retribution that underscores the depth of his evil. The fact that he ordered these preparations to be served to his captive Northmen further emphasizes his lack of any form of moral or ethical restraint.

Joffrey Baratheon: A Sociopathic Little Brat

Prince Joffrey Baratheon, on the other hand, is depicted as a petulant, spoiled brat with sociopathic tendencies. Unlike Gregor, Joffrey's evil is more surface-level and less grounded in a true psychopathic disposition. Instead, he relies on his station and a deluded sense of entitlement to exert his influence.

Joffrey often resorts to using others to do his violent bidding. He himself is portrayed as cowardly, sometimes backing away from direct involvement in violence, whether by fleeing a fight or delegating tasks to his men. Such behavior is symptomatic of a superficial, insecure individual who lacks the raw, unyielding cruelty that Gregor embodies.

While Joffrey's actions are still vile, they lack the calculated malice and lack of remorse found in Gregor's behavior. Joffrey's evil is more about showing off rather than a true inclination towards sadism or fearlessness in the face of violence.

Final Verdict: Gregor Clegane, the True Monstrous Demon

When comparing the two, it becomes clear that Gregor Clegane truly outshines Joffrey Baratheon in terms of sheer evil. While both are despicable in their own right, Gregor's actions are rooted in a deeper, more depraved inner darkness that finds no bounds. His cold, calculated violence and lack of empathy are what set him apart as the true psychological monster of Westeros.

Parents in the real world often whisper his name in hushed tones, knowing the horrors he represented. Gregor Clegane is a true embodiment of the darkest aspects of human nature, making him a figure more tragic than just simply evil.

Keywords

Gregor Clegane Joffrey Baratheon Westerosi Evil