Prophecies

The Game of Thrones universe is filled with prophecies. From the house of the Undying Ones to Maggy the Frog. It fills the world they live in as well as shapes it. The role of prophecies are very often viewed the way prophecies are seen in Shakespeare's MacBeth. MacBeth begins with three witches who give MacBeth a prophecy that he will be King. MacBeth is impatient for the prophecy to come true so he plots to murder King Duncan in order to ascend the throne. Once he is King, he is then filled with paranoia that someone will discover his crime and he goes mad. He then seeks out the witches again for a new prophecy in hopes they will show him how to keep the crown he has won. In the end MacBeth is killed and his tyranny put to an end.

This portrayal of prophecies ring true in most literature, but especially in Game of Thrones.  It is dangerous to assume that the one being prophesied about is able to understand the prophecy fully. It is filled with traps for the person's undoing that they often do not see. Prophecies should not be read as only one path to meet this end, but instead should be reflected upon with council. There are many characters who have received prophecies, but they often do not respond the same way.  A prophecy is not always a good thing, for in many cases it can lead to paranoia and self-destruction.