There’s more than a Targaryen surname or a troubled brother that suggests Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) has relived some of the dramas of her relative, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’ Arcy). Separated for more than 150 years, they are today the two most beloved female representatives of the Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon saga.
The two princesses are characters from the saga A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin, and as representatives of the Targaryens, also known for their silver hair, violet eyes, and dragons.
Let’s compare the 5 times Daenerys and Rhaenyra look alike?
1- Claim to the Iron Throne
Both Daenerys and Rhaenyra are female Targaryens who believe they have a legitimate claim to the Iron Throne. Daenerys is believed to be the last known member of her house following the death of her brother Viserys, while Rhaenyra was named by her father, King Viserys I, as his heir, despite the existence of a male heir (her half-brother Aegon II).
In other words, they both have a Viserys before them and they both have an Aegon on the way. In Rhaenyra’s case, her half-brother was born after her and also after her official successor. Daenerys did not know that Jon Snow was in fact Aegon Targaryen, son of Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, therefore with double succession priority: being a man and son of the official heir.
2- Dragon Queens
Daenerys and Rhaenyra are dragon riders, and while in Rhaenyra’s day, there were many dragons, in Daenerys’ time it is almost magical.
Yes, it was during the period of Rhaenyra’s reign that dragons were practically extinct and would only come back into existence after Danny hatched three dragon eggs that were given as a wedding gift. Although the three are linked to their “mother”, it is the largest of them, Drogon, who is ridden by her. Rhaenyra, as we know, rides the dragon named Syrax.
3- Wars and Conflicts: Queens leading armies
The two Queens are protagonists of some of the bloodiest periods in Westeros. Rhaenyra is the reason for and one of those involved in the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Thousands died for or against the side of black, the color chosen by the queen.
Daenerys has already collected clashes in Essos and Westeros, all for the sake of restoring power to the Targaryens. Her best-known battles include The War of the Five Kings and, of course, the Great War, against the White Walkers.
Personally, I consider the final conflict to be the War of the Queens, with Cersei Lannister fighting to keep the Iron Throne, Sansa Stark, eventual Queen of the North, fighting for her independence, and, of course, Daenerys trying to stop them both from getting what they wanted. Would it be wrong?
4- Controversial and short reigns
History isn’t entirely favorable to Daenerys or Rhaenyra, depending on the source. The two face significant challenges and controversies during their attempts to govern.
Daenerys’ reign in Meereen was marked by violence, conflict, and rebellion, but her goal was always to return to King’s Landing, where she left a mark as a destroyer. Or liberating.
When Daenerys arrived in Westeros, there was resistance from houses that feared the return of the Targaryens and the queen used her dragons on more than one opportunity, creating a disadvantage for the defenseless local lords. Even when she was just with Drogon, she decided to attack King’s Landing brutally and destructively, burning the city and people without distinction.
Unlike Daenerys, Rhaenyra sat on the Iron Throne as Queen, but for a short time. And worse, her reign was marked by conflicts until she ended up being “deposed” by her half-brother, Aegon II.
5- Tragic Ends
Daenerys and Rhaneyra meet tragic ends brought about by betrayals, casually and technically, by two Aegons as well.
After destroying King’s Landing, Daenerys orders the arrest of her Hand, Tyrion Lannister (who will be executed) and before finally sitting on the Iron Throne, she is questioned by Jon Snow (Aegon VI), who is unhappy with the violence used to take the crown. by Cersei Lannister. In fact, Danny is upset because Jon’s cousin, Sansa Stark, revealed his true identity to everyone and this began to raise questions about the legitimacy of her cause. When she makes it clear that she will not accept opposition, Jon stabs her in the heart (distracting her with a kiss) and Danny dies without achieving his greatest goal: putting House Targaryen back in charge of Westeros.
Rhaenyra was betrayed by her advisors, who incited a riot in King’s Landing, forcing her to flee to Dragonstone. She did not know that her brother, Aegon II, with whom she was fighting, was hiding in the castle. Upon arrival, she is taken prisoner and he immediately executes her, in front of her son. Aegon II gives her to feed his dragon, Sunfyre, ending the queen’s days in the most tragic way of all the Targaryens, well, even Daenerys anyway.
I think I missed some other similarity? Just let us know in the comments.
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