History Foil / ASongOfIceAndFire

** Sansa Stark. Both are betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon, but while Sansa naively threw herself into the betrothal and wound up trapped by Joffrey, Margaery takes the time to scope Joffrey out and manipulate him.

** Jaime Lannister. Both are [[BeautyIsBad handsome, arrogant, morally dubious]] [[StepfordSmiler Stepford Smilers]] who struggle with ConflictingLoyalty and are reviled for [[spoiler:betraying Kings they were once sworn too]]. However, Jaime hated Aerys, betrayed him for noble reasons and does not regret it, whereas Theon loved [[spoiler:Robb, betrayed him]] for selfish ones and ends up regretting it terribly. Both did not kill Bran Stark -- Jaime [[spoiler:tried to and failed, crippling Bran permanently]], whereas Theon [[spoiler:merely pretended to, but convinces everyone Bran is dead]]. Both seemingly have lost [[spoiler:body parts]] they defined themselves by – Jaime's [[spoiler:swordhand]] and, it's implied, Theon's [[spoiler:genitals]] – to the Boltons, and generally undergo a lot of BreakTheHaughty at their hands.

* Olenna Tyrell
** Tywin Lannister. She's basically a {{Gender Flip}}pped version of Tywin. She's an excellent Chessmaster and every bit as ruthless. The different is that Tywin doesn't care if people know he is behind things, and Olenna's cultivated the facade of being just a rude old woman to hide her own manipulations.

** His brother Tommen Baratheon. While Tommen Baratheon is virtually incorruptible, sweet, and caring, Joffrey Baratheon is universally despised among the A Song Of Ice And Fire fandom for being utterly psychopathic and for his enjoyment of tormenting others.

** Theon Greyjoy. Both are foreigners at Winterfell, having come to the North from very different cultures which follow different gods (the Seven and the Drowned God, respectively), and both still feel like outsiders because of this. However, Catelyn -- as Lady Stark and the wife of the warden of the North -- is clearly an integral part of the family, whereas Theon -- as the Starks' hostage -- clearly isn't. Both have somewhat [[GoingNative Gone Native]] as well. Their respective homelands, the Riverlands and the Iron Islands, are both associated with water, and have a long but troubled history together: the Riverlands had been ruled by the Ironborn prior to Aegon's Conquest, but very unhappily, and both Catelyn and Theon's families only became rulers of their respective regions of Westeros thanks to Aegon's destruction of House Hoare. Both have a very bitter attitude towards Jon Snow fueled partly by jealousy: Theon's jealousy of Jon's acceptance by his father and siblings and as one of the Stark children, despite his illegitimate status, while Catelyn fears Ned might have loved Jon's [[MissingMom mother]] more than her. Theon is a StepfordSmiler whereas Catelyn is TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask. Both have a bad habit of hiding all their doubts and insecurities behind a facade until it [[SanitySlippage starts to eat away at their sanity]] and severely hampers their decision making. Catelyn is utterly devoted to others, namely her family, whereas Theon is very selfish. However, [[spoiler:[[HourGlassPlot after her family's deaths, Catelyn devotes her]] [[CameBackWrong 'life']] [[HourGlassPlot to pursuing her own need for vengeance, whereas Theon has been broken and brainwashed into considering himself worthless and only]] [[FateWorseThanDeath 'lives']] [[HourGlassPlot for his captor, Ramsay]]. Both are physically beautiful, [[spoiler:but undergo a death either [[LossOfIdentity symbolic]] or [[BackFromTheDead literal]] that leaves them horrifically mutilated, white-haired, sallow-skinned and CoveredInScars. Both adopt new names after this. As Lady Stoneheart,]] Cat becomes the embodiment of RevengeBeforeReason, pursuing a twisted form of justice against the people she considers responsible for her family's demise in such a way it's impossible for most readers to consider her actions at all just, whereas [[spoiler:as Reek]] Theon receives a dose of LaserGuidedKarma so cruel and disproportionate it's impossible for most readers to consider it justice for his crimes.

[[folder:Daario Naharis]]
* Daario Naharis.
** Shae. They are both the lovers of two of the most influencing people in the books (Tyrion Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen), both against their lovers' better judgement. Both Tyrion and Daenerys admit that they are better off without them, but still keep them close out of lust.
** Bronn. They are both the extremely snarky and extremely dangerous sellsword lieutenants to powerful, polarizing figures that they each grow very close to in different ways. However, Bronn is more pragmatic and business savvy, whereas Daario is considerably more devil-may-care and unpredictable. And where Bronn is rather thuggish looking with a plain, utilitarian style, Daario always looks exotic and colorful to a ridiculously self-indulgent extant.
** Jaime Lannister. They are both {{Blood Knight}}s for their queens and are in grossly inappropriate relationship with them, as far as making them forsake their Queenly duties. These relationships are nevertheless opposite to each other; Daenerys realizes that Daario means nothing but trouble, while Jaime thinks the same of Cersei; Daenerys staunchly holds on to Daario in spite of her better judgement while Jaime abandons Cersei to her fate.
** Daemon Targaryen. They are the bad influence on their queen that wants them to be more war-like. They are also very prone to be at the butt end of he-says-she-says situations, they are not particularly respected by their peers and are definitely not afraid of getting their hands dirty. They are also spectacular warriors who brim in charisma.

[[folder:Varys]]
* Varys
** Brynden "Bloodraven" River. He is as good a spymaster without having to resort to magic and he is as equally dreaded. The two of them are considered the absolute best spymasters in the history of Westeros; if it were a position that earned the respect that a Hand gets, they would be at the level of Viserys II.
** Arya Stark. See above.
** Petyr Baelish. See below.

[[folder:Davos Seaworth]]
* Davos Seaworth
** Melisandre. Both grew up very poorly off (though Melisandre worse off), both loyal to Stannis to the end (and are the only ones truly respected by him), both generally kind and subservient to others, and both will fight for what they believe in without fail. The similarities end there.
** Janos Slynt. They are both lowborn men raised to nobility. Janos Slynt was in an apparently honorable position, commanding the Goldcloaks, but earns his position through being corrupt and self-serving, supporting a usurper. Davos was a criminal who used his smuggling skills to help Stannis, leading to his position. He earns more honors through being honest, loyal and deserving. While Davos continues to act humble, feeling undeserving of his honors and not using his title often, Slynt after becoming a Lord acts [[SmallNameBigEgo arrogantly]] and insists on being referred to as a Lord. Also, Davos helps save one of Robert's bastards though he knows he risks execution, while Slynt shows no remorse for carrying out a purge of Robert's bastard children. [[spoiler:Slynt ends up losing his head for disobeying orders, Davos apparently loses his head while loyally trying to carry out Stannis' wishes, but Davos -- in reality -- survives.]]
** Ned Stark. Each man is a trusted right-hand man to a Baratheon king, relied upon for his loyalty and honest counsel. They're also two of the most noble and heroic characters of the series, but their honor tends to get them in trouble.
** Petyr Baelish. Both have humble origin who risen to noble through combination of skill, connection and deeds to said connenction. While Davos [[AppropriatedAppellation embraces his insulting nickname]], Petyr hates his. Davos is decent guy loyal to Stannis, Petyr is evil guy loyal to himself with ChronicBackstabbingDisorder streak. Davos is HappilyMarried with several kids, Littlefinger is single for long time who only marry for political reason but still a {{yandere}} to his wife's sister.
** Wyman Manderly. See below.

[[folder: Alys Karstark]]
* Alys Karstark
** Roslin Frey. She disapproved of her father's nefarious plans and went along with his deceitful marriage scheme where Alys fled her family.
** Daenerys Targaryen. She found escape from her blood family via ArrangedMarriage to a barbarian dude and hopes to use this to reclaim her birthright.

[[folder:Wyman Manderly]]
* Wyman Manderly
** Roose Bolton. They are both some of the most powerful Northern Lords. The Lord of the Dreadfort is a [[LeanAndMean skinny]] health nut while Wyman Manderly is a morbidly obese glutton. Given all of the FoodPorn in the series, it's obvious who is supposed to be the more sympathetic of the two.
** Doran Martell. While the two live a continent away, Wyman plays a very similar role in the story as Doran Martell. Both are physical invalids who gain a reputation as appeasers [[spoiler: while secretly plotting revenge and the restoration of the House they support]]. So far though, Wyman has been more successful and open about his motives. They also both have female relatives (Doran's daughter Arianne and bastard nieces the Sand Snakes, and Wyman's younger granddaughter Wylla) who more openly want revenge.
** Illyrio Mopatis. Both obese, powerful man, and both brilliant planners, plotting to put someone in rule.
** The Rat Cook. They were insulted by an Andal King, so murdered the King's son and fed them to the King in a pie. They had a right to vengeance, but were punished for transgressing [[SacredHospitality Guest Right]]. Wyman Manderly's [[spoiler:son Wendel and King Robb Stark are murdered by the Freys and Boltons while they are the Frey's guests. In revenge, Manderly murders three of the Freys, puts them in pies, and serves them to the Freys and Boltons, even wanting a song about the Rat Cook. However, unlike the Rat Cook, it is implied Wyman waits till the Freys are no longer his guests to murder them.]]
** Davos Seaworth. Both are very loyal to those who elevated their family -- the Starks allowed Manderly to settle in the North after they were exiled from Reach about nine hundred years before; the Seaworths are a very new House, Davos having only just founded it. Both are trying to restore their liege lords to power. And both have naval associations and NonActionGuy who have their hearts and their minds as their worth.

[[folder:Brienne of Tarth]]
* Brienne of Tarth
** Jaime Lannister. See above.
** Cersei Lannister. Brinne provides a counterpoint as the other important woman in Jaime's life. Brienne is precisely everything Cersei is not; ugly where Cersei is beautiful, honorable where Cersei is treacherous, a warrior where Cersei is a plotter. Brienne is physically grotesque but noble in spirit, while Cersei is beautiful but monstrous. The more Jaime distances himself in spirit from Cersei, the closer he becomes in spirit to Brienne.
** Sandor Clegane. They both have what it takes to be a knight but neither are for different reasons. Brienne is idealistic while Sandor is jaded. Brienne remains loyal to her dead king Renly while Sandor deserted his king Joffrey. Jaime even calls her in one of his POV chapters, "The Hound with teats."
** Sansa and Arya Stark. She is as romantic and idealistic as Sansa, while also as being tough and strong-willed as Arya.
** Pretty Meris. They both are tall, blonde, ugly female warriors with marred noses and cheeks that dress in mail, and they have both been victims of sexual violence. But while Brienne strives to follow the precept of chivalry, Meris serves as the company's torturer, while Brienne is often mocked by her small bust size, underneath Meris shirt only scars are left by the men who cut off her breasts, and while Brienne is said to have astonishing blue eyes, Meris is said to have cold dead eyes.

[[folder:House Umber]]
* House Umber
** House Karstark. Both are among the most powerful Northern Houses. While the Greatjon Umber shows dissent to Robb Stark early on, after being [[DefeatMeansFriendship defeated]] he becomes a loyal ally. Rickard Karstark seems loyal early on, but ends up murdering prisoners to avenge his sons, causing Robb to execute him. Both Lords appoint their uncles as castellans and both the Lords are captured by the Lannisters, [[spoiler:the Greatjon at the Red Wedding while his son Smalljon Umber is murdered, after Rickard's death his only surviving son Harrion, now Lord Karstark, is captured.]] The Last Hearth castellans split under Bolton rule, with Mors declaring for Stannis and Hother for Roose Bolton, however Mors is clear that he doesn't want to fight his family and the Umbers want their nephew home safely. Rickard's uncle Arnolf Karstark declares for Stannis, [[spoiler:but is really working with the Boltons and planning to betray Stannis, hoping his great-nephew Harrion will be executed for [[EvilUncle this]], enabling his branch of the family to take control of Karhold.]]

[[folder:Areo Hotah]]
* Areo Hotah
** To Arys Oakheart. Areo acknowledges this trope in his internal monologue. In his word, both are soldiers coming to foreign Dorne guarding respective princess, ChasteHero, loyal, decent blokes who even have similar names, Arys and Areo but noted the similarities end there. Areo loves Princess Arianne (in parental way), Arys is loved (genuinely, as lover) by Arianne. Arys is Kingsguard who is supposed to be CelibateHero who loves Arianne because she seduced him, Areo is suspected to have CargoShip to his axe. Areo even wondered who would survive if the two clashed in his POV chapter. [[spoiler: Both shift their allegiances from their initial princesses -- Areo to Prince Doran, Arys to Princess Arianne. When the time comes for Arianne to start her scheme -- Areo sticks to Prince Doran while Arys "betrays" Myrcella to Arianne because he reciprocated Arianne's love. Finally, because the scheme failed miserably, Arys dies (suspected to be SuicideByCop) at the hand of Areo.]]

[[folder:Arys Oakheart]]
* Arys Oakheart
** Areo Hotah. See above.
** Jon Snow. See above.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Gendry]]
* Gendry
** Jon Snow. They are both [[HeroicBastard bastard sons]], they both look like their fathers (who are best friends), Jon doesn't have a clue about who may be his mother and Gendry doesn't about his father. They also have a close brotherly relationship with Arya, who may have seen Gendry as a ReplacementGoldfish for her half-brother Jon. Jon joined the Night's Watch for the sake of earning his own honor, Gendry joined the Brotherhood for the same reason. However, Jon is an acknowledged, noble-born illegitimate son of a lord who grows up under privileged circumstances, raised by his father in a castle, while Gendry is an unacknowledged illegitimate son of a king who grows up working as a blacksmith’s apprentice after his mother dies. [[spoiler: Even more ironic if Jon is Rhaegar Targaryen's son as Robert (Gendry's father) and Rhaegar were [[ArchEnemy archenemies]] but yet managed to father sons around the same age with several similarities — namely being the hidden sons of royalty.]]
** Joffrey Baratheon. Gendry is the [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] of King Robert, Joffrey is the [[BastardBastard illegitimate son]] of Queen Cersei. They both don't know about their SecretLegacy. Gendry has inherited all his father's good qualities (strength, courage, sense of justice, generosity), while Joffrey has inherited all his mother's flaws (selfishness, insolence and senseless cruelty). Joffrey grew up in luxury, relishes in his power and abuses the subjects under him, while Gendry was raised as a bastard in Flea Bottom, has no control over his own fate, spends his life being captured and sold by different masters, but still defends those more vulnerable than himself. Joffrey was [[{{ArrangedMarriage}} bethrothed]] to Sansa Stark to formally join the two families and give the failed Baratheon/Stark match a second chance (after the failure of the Lyanna Stark/Robert Baratheon match) but, while Sansa was initially enthralled by Joffrey, he relentlessly abuses and bullies her, and she grows to hate him. In contrast, Gendry develops a genuine friendship with Arya Stark (who is much like a GenerationXerox of Lyanna Stark), they mutually protect each other throughout the hell they've suffered together, and [[{{ShipTease}} developed a close connection]], despite not knowing each other's true identities or having any Stark-Baratheon match forced upon them. Had Gendry and Joffrey been in each other's positions, the kingdom would have been a better place.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Jon Connington]]
* Jon Connington
** Petyr Baelish. See above.

[[folder:House Stark]]

[[folder:House Lannister]]

[[folder:House Baratheon]]

* Shireen Baratheon.
** Robert Arryn. Both are the sole living result of two deeply unhappy arranged marriages who have suffered a lot of miscarriages and stillbirths, and both are regarded as inadequate heirs due to physical characteristics – Robert's epilepsy and general feebleness, Shireen's greyscale and sex. Shireen suffers a level of ParentalNeglect, particularly from her mother, whereas Robert has a MyBelovedSmother. Shireen, despite having quite the FreudianExcuse not to be so, is a sweet, smart and sensible girl, whereas '[[IronicNickname Sweetrobin]]' is a SpoiledBrat.

[[folder:House Targaryen]]

[[folder:House Greyjoy]]

[[folder:House Tyrell]]

[[folder:House Martell]]

* Arianne Martell
** Cersei Lannister. They're both the daughters of powerful lords that resent being marginalized because they're women, are very promiscuous and use their sex appeal to their advantage, consider themselves more clever than they really are, are [[spoiler:(wrongly)]] convinced that a relative is trying to undermine/harm them, and hatch plots that end disastrously for themselves and others. They both even make the mistake of [[spoiler:trusting attractive men that later turn on them]]. Where they differ though is that Arianne genuinely loved the man she slept with for her plans and regrets that people got hurt and killed when those plans fell apart; while Cersei doesn't care for any of the people she sleeps with for her plans and makes excuses whenever anyone gets hurt or killed because of her. In addition, Arianne stands to become the official ruler of Dorne with power in her own right, while Cersei has no power in her own right and has to rule behind the scenes through the claim of her [[PuppetKing underage son]]- which will only last until said son comes of age.

[[folder:House Tully]]

* Roslin Tully (nee Frey)
** Alys Karstark. See below.

[[folder:House Arryn]]

[[folder:House Bolton]]

* Ramsay Snow
** Jon Snow. See Above.

[[folder:Other Characters]]

** Varys. Both are Spymaster, MagnificentBastard who are usually underestimated by more "honorable" nobles because of respective commoner's origin and with respective mysterious endgame. Littlefinger prefers Chaos, while Varys supports Order. Both cannot fight, so they order other people fight for them, Littlefinger with Knights of Vale, Varys with [[spoiler:his sparrows, Golden Company and maybe Dany's force]].

** Jon Connington. both fell in love with a PeerlessLoveInterest (Lady Catelyn Tully and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen respectively) in the backstory, both are extremely bitter men, and both become the guardians of [[spoiler:their beloved's child, who is in disguise as their own, and who they are planning to help retake their family's ancestral lands]]. However, Jon is genuinely devoted to Rhaegar's memory, whereas Petyr seems to value Catelyn more as a symbol than a person, [[spoiler:shows little grief over her death, and is quick to try and turn her daughter into a ReplacementGoldfish]]. Jon views [[spoiler:Aegon]] like a son, whereas Petyr manipulates and molests [[spoiler:Sansa]]. Jon considers Rhaegar's death [[ItsAllMyFault all his fault]], whereas Petyr [[spoiler:shows no such guilt over Catelyn's, even though he began the whole series of events that caused it]]. Jon's role in the plan [[spoiler:to restore Aegon]] to the throne is essentially under Varys' command, whereas Petyr himself is the {{Chessmaster}} behind [[spoiler:getting Sansa to reclaim Winterfell]].

** Sansa and Arya Stark. They each start off as fairly naive young girls with rosy/idealistic views on life and each quickly learn of the hard truths their environments have to offer, forcing them to survive the dangerous world they live in with whatever means at their disposal. The difference is Daenerys grew up impoverished and is just now gaining power, while Sansa and Arya grew up peacefully as nobles but have now fallen on extremely hard times. They are also all, technically, [[BadassPrincess Badass Princesses.]]

** [[spoiler: Aegon VI]]. Varys gives a monologue about the ideal leader Westeros needs and it fits Arya perfectly. Trained in arms, reads and writes, speaks several tongues [[note]](Common Tongue, High Valyrian, Braavosi, Lysen and Pentoshi)[[/note]] has studied history [[note]](she adores female figures like Visenya and Nymeria)[[/note]] and law [[note]]([[spoiler: the reason she killed Daeron]])[[/note]] and poetry [[note]](prefers songs of Wenda the White Fawn)[[/note]]. She has lived with fishermen, worked with her hands, swam in rivers (like a fish according to Jon), mended nets, and learned to wash her own clothes at need. She can fish, cook and bind up a wound. She knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. She understands kingship is a duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them [[note]](she defended the butcher's boy Mycah from Prince Joffrey, and understands that the smallfolk deserve freely-given justice.)[[/note]] Varys, however, wasn't talking about Arya, but about [[spoiler: Aegon VI]].

** Robert Arryn. both are the sole living result of two deeply unhappy arranged marriages who have suffered a lot of miscarriages and stillbirths, and both are regarded as inadequate heirs due to physical characteristics – Robert's epilepsy and general feebleness, Shireen's greyscale and sex. Shireen suffers a level of ParentalNeglect, particularly from her mother, whereas Robert has a MyBelovedSmother. Shireen, despite having quite the FreudianExcuse not to be so, is a sweet, smart and sensible girl, whereas '[[IronicNickname Sweetrobin]]' is a SpoiledBrat.

** Stannis Baratheon. Both are second sons with a strong sense of duty, both helped Robert greatly during his rebellion, both rule grim and harsh areas of Westeros. Both try to clean up the corruption in the realm. However Stannis knows that being brutal is necessary, which enables him to survive longer. Ned is liked by Robert like a brother, while Robert doesn't get on with his actual brothers and is on especially bad terms with Stannis. Ned's accomplishments in the Rebellion are admired, Stannis doesn't get appreciated for his less glamorous role. Robert names Ned as Hand instead of Stannis, a title Ned didn't want, while Stannis resented not being considered for the position for all the help he had given Robert. Both are considered traitors by the majority of the realm but are, in reality, among the most moral and principled characters in a CrapsackWorld.
** Kevan Lannister. Both are highly capable and basically decent -- or at least, principled -- men who are loyal to less scrupulous, more murderous lords they regard as family (Robert and Tywin, respectively, though Tywin actually ''is'' Kevan's family), generally ignoring the faults that ultimately get those men killed (ie. their whoring and their treatment of the ''rest'' of their family) because they think said men deserve to be in charge- Ned gets a twofer since he thinks his older brother Brandon would have been a better head of House Stark, just as Kevan thought that Tywin was most suited to heading House Lannister. They both show themselves to be good family men who genuinely love their family. [[spoiler:Both men die pretty much because they followed their principles and both men's' deaths serve mainly to make Westeros more unstable; its less direct with Ned, but both are also killed by children.]]

** Jon Snow. Both are Ned's second sons in different ways: since Robb was conceived on Ned and Catelyn's wedding night and Jon was born after Ned goes to war, Jon is the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he is Ned's biological son]]]]), while Bran is Ned's second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not her own child, but her husband's son by another woman. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]] but have very close relationships with them. Both are good-hearted, follow their calling to and/or beyond the Wall, experience insecurities in relation to their respective statuses statuses (Jon as a [[HeroicBastard bastard son]] and Bran being crippled without the use of his legs), and are initially motivated in part by them (Jon joins the Night's Watch for the sake of duty and to earn his own honour; Bran expands his supernatural mental abilities and seeks to experience the world beyond the limitations of his physical condition). Both grow up sheltered by protective parent(s) and must face the harsh realities of life after their family is separated and they leave home (Ned must go south and hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell but Catelyn won't allow it because Jon is not her son, while Bran is forced to flee Winterfell after [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]) -- and both find out it's not quite what they expected. Both want to help people, are thrust into positions of leadership at young ages, and make difficult decisions on their journeys -- although with Jon, the latter tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] which force him to mature quickly, whereas Bran -- though he is somewhat mature for his age -- still lacks maturity and full comprehension of his decisions due to his younger age. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind, ([[spoiler:who are both dead]]); Sansa and Lady, ([[spoiler:with Lady being dead]]); Arya and Nymeria, ([[spoiler:who are separated from each other]]); and Rickon and Shaggydog, ([[spoiler:who are both MIA]]). And as of ''A Dance With Dragons'', thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:Bran and Jon could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** House Manderly. Wyman Manderly is a Seven-worshiping Andal (not to mention managing a shipping and trading empire as the head of the only city in the North) Wyman could be seen as representing the "new," at least relative to Roose Bolton, who not only is a First Man who worships the old gods, but who practices some customs such as the right of first night and flayings that have fallen out of favor elsewhere, though Roose cares little for the ancient tradition of guest right. The Boltons are an old Northern House who have often rebelled against the Starks [[spoiler:and end up displacing them as rulers of the North, taking control by one of them marrying a fake Stark.]] The Manderlys are relatively new to the North but are very loyal to the Starks and trying to return them to rule the North. The Manderlys also tried to become the rulers of another Kingdom, the Reach, when a Gardner King died without sons and one of his daughters was married to Lord Manderly, the Manderlys were eventually driven out of the Reach as they threatened the Gardeners, but settled in the North.

** House Lannister. There are few better comparisons between TheHero and one candidate of the BigBad in BigBadEnsemble. Both are ancient and powerful Houses with good militaries. Both were once kings whom were reduced to liege lord by Targaryens. House Stark rules GrimUpNorth with fewer resources, House Lannister rules a warmer land with many more natural resources. Both are concerned with honor but the Starks' stem from doing what's right, just, or both, while the Lannisters' stem from their self-interest and arrogance. Starks have an HonorBeforeReason attitude who see [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility ruling as duty]], Lannisters see ruling more as [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatPerks their right.]] Male Starks wear utilitarian gear most of the time, male Lannisters wear extravagant clothes even while [[BlingOfWar going to battle]]. Lannisters play the Game of Thrones and hone their skills to win it while Starks detest this game because of said HonorBeforeReason and definitely lose big time when they do have to play it. Lannisters [[BigScrewedUpFamily are a big family but don't have the best relationships with one another]] (with the exception of the relationship between Tyrion and Jaime). Starks are a smaller but loving family (except for Catelyn's cold treatment of Jon Snow, but Jon is loved by the rest of the family). Starks have primarily descended from the First Men while Lannisters, like other southerners, are now mostly descended from the Andals. Both used to have Valyrian Swords -- Lannisters lost theirs long ago, Starks lost theirs recently [[spoiler:thanks to the Lannisters confiscating said sword and reforging it. Both lost many important members during the War of Five Kings.]]

** Arya Stark. While Sansa is a deconstruction of the PrincessClassic, Arya is a deconstruction of the TomboyPrincess. However they both shed their idealism when forced to go on the run and change their identities.

** Lyanna Stark. Arya is frequently compared to her aunt by many characters, especially by her father, from looks to personality. Like Lyanna, Arya is tomboy-ish, one-of-the-boys, HotBlooded, good horsewoman and swordsman in contrast to Westerosi expectations of gender, and has a tendency to defend the weak. Both were separated from their families during a war. However, Lyanna was reunited with one of her brothers while Arya has yet to be reunited with her family. Where Lyanna was taken by the crown prince, with multiple noble houses drawn into a war that was motivated to take her back, Arya hides among the smallfolk, is removed from the politics of the Seven Kingdoms, and is either forgotten about/overlooked by warring factions, or members of her family try to save her but they are unable to get to her. Lyanna had an ArrangedMarriage with Robert Baratheon but didn't love him and was aware he only saw her beauty and not her iron underneath. In contrast, Arya befriends Gendry (King Robert Baratheon's [[HeroicBastard bastard]] son) without either of them knowing his true identity or having a match forced upon them, they figh and suffer together as commoners, and Gendry respects her spirited nature and ability to survive under harsh circumstances.

** Jon Snow. Both are Ned's second sons in different ways: since Robb was conceived on Ned and Catelyn's wedding night and Jon is born after Ned goes to war, Jon is the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he is Ned's biological son]]]]), whereas Bran is Ned's second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not her own child, but her husband's son by another woman. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]] but have extremely close relationships with them. Both are good-hearted, follow their calling to and/or beyond the Wall, and experience insecurities in relation to their statuses and are motivated to disprove negative connotations with their respective statuses (Jon, a [[HeroicBastard bastard son]], joins the Watch for the sake of duty and to earn his own honour; Bran, [[spoiler:being crippled]], expands his mental abilities and seeks to experience the world beyond the limitations of his physical condition). Both grow up sheltered by protective parent(s) and must face the harsh realities of life after their family is separated and they leave home (Ned must go south and hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell but Catelyn won't allow it because Jon is not her son, while Bran is forced to flee Winterfell after [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]) -- and both find out it's not quite what they expected. Both work to save people, are thrust into positions of leadership at young ages, and make difficult decisions on their journeys -- although with Jon, the latter tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] which force him to mature quickly, whereas Bran -- though he is mature for his age -- still has some immaturity and lacks some comprehension of his decisions due to his younger age. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind, ([[spoiler:who are both dead]]); Sansa and Lady, ([[spoiler:with Lady being dead]]); Arya and Nymeria, ([[spoiler:who are separated from each other]]); and Rickon and Shaggydog, ([[spoiler:who are both MIA]]). And as of ''A Dance With Dragons'', thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:Bran and Jon could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** Joffrey Baratheon. They are both very arrogant, [[spoiler:products of brother-sister incest]], prone to acting irrationally (especially when they lose their temper), torment those weaker than themselves, and are cowards at heart. Viserys abuses Daenerys in some way in every scene he has, and it is implied that Joffrey abused his little brother Tommen. However, the most notable similarity is that both of them order a subordinate to beat their victim: during one of his humiliations, Viserys orders Mormont to hit Daenerys, and Joffrey does this all the time with his Kingsguard and Sansa. Daenerys tentatively saying that Viserys "wouldn't be a very good king" was always an understatement, but we see just ''how much'' of an understatement it was when we see how [[TheCaligula Joffrey]] turned out.

** Jaime Lannister. Both are [[BeautyIsBad handsome, arrogant, morally dubious]] [[StepfordSmiler Stepford Smilers]] who struggle with ConflictingLoyalty and are reviled for [[spoiler:betraying Kings they were once sworn too]]. However, Jaime hated Aerys, betrayed him for noble reasons and does not regret it, whereas Theon loved [[spoiler:Robb, betrayed him]] for selfish ones and ends up regretting it terribly. Both did not kill Bran Stark – Jaime [[spoiler:tried to and failed, crippling him permanently]], whereas Theon [[spoiler:merely pretended to, but convinces everyone he's dead]]. Both seemingly have lost [[spoiler:body parts]] they defined themselves by – Jaime's [[spoiler:swordhand]] and, it's implied, Theon's [[spoiler:genitals]] – to the Boltons, and generally undergo a lot of BreakTheHaughty at their hands.

** Theon Greyjoy. Both are foreigners at Winterfell, having come to the North from very different cultures which follow different gods (the Seven and the Drowned God, respectively), and both still feel like outsiders because of this. However, Catelyn -- as Lady Stark and the wife of the warden of the North -- is clearly an integral part of the family, whereas Theon -- as the Starks' hostage -- clearly isn't. Both have somewhat [[GoingNative Gone Native]] as well. Their respective homelands, the Riverlands and the Iron Islands, are both associated with water, and have a long but troubled history together: the Riverlands had been ruled by the Ironborn prior to Aegon's Conquest, but very unhappily, and both Catelyn and Theon's families only became rulers of their respective regions of Westeros thanks to Aegon's destruction of House Hoare. Both have a very bitter attitude towards Jon Snow fueled partly by jealousy: Theon's jealousy of Jon's acceptance by his father and siblings and as one of the Stark children, despite his illegitimate status, while Catelyn fears Ned might have loved Jon's [[MissingMom mother]] more than her. Theon is a StepfordSmiler whereas Catelyn is TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask. Both have a bad habit of hiding all their doubts and insecurities behind a facade until it [[SanitySlippage starts to eat away at their sanity]] and severely hampers their decision making. Catelyn is utterly devoted to others, namely her family, whereas Theon is very selfish. However, [[spoiler:[[HourGlassPlot after her family's deaths, Catelyn devotes her]] [[CameBackWrong 'life']] [[HourGlassPlot to pursuing her own need for vengeance, whereas Theon has been broken and brainwashed into considering himself worthless and only]] [[FateWorseThanDeath 'lives']] [[HourGlassPlot for his captor, [[{{sadist Ramsay}}]]]]. Both are physically beautiful, [[spoiler:but undergo a death either [[LossOfIdentity symbolic]] or [[BackFromTheDead literal]] that leaves them horrifically mutilated, white-haired, sallow-skinned and CoveredInScars. Both adopt new names after this. As Lady Stoneheart,]] Cat becomes the embodiment of RevengeBeforeReason, pursuing a twisted form of justice against the people she considers responsible for her family's demise in such a way it's impossible for most readers to consider her actions at all just, whereas [[spoiler:as Reek]] Theon receives a dose of LaserGuidedKarma so cruel and disproportionate it's impossible for most readers to consider it justice for his crimes.

** Renly Baratheon. Stannis is the very lawful older brother with No Social Skills who is unpopular among the populace and claims the throne after his oldest brother's death as by law it should be his, Renly the younger brother is a well-liked and charismatic figure who uses this to try and win him the Iron Throne and gets more support than Stannis. They also both promote someone for merit despite social convention. Renly promotes Brienne of Tarth to his Rainbow Guard even though she is a woman. Stannis knighted a lowborn smuggler, Ser Davos Seaworth, and makes them his Hand, valuing their counsel more than his Lords. However Renly only really respects Brienne for her martial skills and shows disdain for her behind her back due to her unattractiveness. Stannis respects Davos far more and shows some affection for him... not much, but by Stannis' standards a lot.

** Tyrion Lannister. Both are second sons who are hated by the majority of the Seven Kingdoms and thought of as [[EvilUncle evil uncles]] to Joffrey who were plotting to usurp the crown themselves. The difference is Stannis knows [[spoiler:Joffrey isn't his nephew, making him the rightful Head of House Baratheon. Tyrion is accused of poisoning Joffrey and found guilty, but was actually innocent.]] Both have terrible relationships with their siblings, though Tyrion at least had a good relationship with Jaime for most of his life, [[spoiler:Stannis was never treated well.]] Both have brilliant minds and win great victories, but don't receive their due appreciation for this. Both show some respect for lower folk, with Tyrion this is because, being a dwarf, he holds sympathy for those in similar positions. Stannis shows more respect for the lower folk out of his obsession with giving everybody their due, regardless of social rank. However Stannis is a stern PrinciplesZealot who is uncomfortable with sex and terrible socially, though with a dry deadpan sense of humor. Tyrion is a hedonistic figure who regularly consorts with prostitutes and is able to find witty answers most of the time.

** Lysa Arryn. Both are mothers determined to protect their children but Lysa's strategy is to simply run and hide from all problems. Not to mention she is creepily overprotective of her son.

** Stannis Baratheon. They both believe in doing their duty, even if they hate it and how much doing it costs them. They also end up taking dark paths because of it. Stannis starts to dabble in BloodMagic and HumanSacrifice while Catelyn [[spoiler: becomes utterly fixated on revenge as Lady Stoneheart, and commits indiscriminate murders along the way.]]

** Theon Greyjoy. Both are foreigners at Winterfell, having come to the North from very different cultures which follow different gods (the Seven and the Drowned God, respectively), and both still feel like outsiders because of this. However, Catelyn -- as Lady Stark and the wife of the warden of the North -- is clearly an integral part of the family, whereas Theon -- as the Starks' hostage -- clearly isn't. Both have somewhat [[GoingNative Gone Native]] as well. Their respective homelands, the Riverlands and the Iron Islands, are both associated with water, and have a long but troubled history together: the Riverlands had been ruled by the Ironborn prior to Aegon's Conquest, but very unhappily, and both Catelyn and Theon's families only became rulers of their respective regions of Westeros thanks to Aegon's destruction of House Hoare. Both have a very bitter attitude towards Jon Snow fueled partly by jealousy: Theon's jealousy of Jon's acceptance by his father and siblings and as one of the Stark children, despite his illegitimate status, while Catelyn's fears Ned might have loved Jon's [[MissingMom mother]] more than her. Theon is a StepfordSmiler whereas Catelyn is TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask. Both have a bad habit of hiding all their doubts and insecurities behind a facade until it [[SanitySlippage starts to eat away at their sanity]] and severely hampers their decision making. Catelyn is utterly devoted to others, namely her family, whereas Theon is very selfish. However, [[spoiler:[[HourGlassPlot after her family's deaths, Catelyn devotes her]] [[CameBackWrong 'life']] [[HourGlassPlot to pursuing her own need for vengeance, whereas Theon has been broken and brainwashed into considering himself worthless and only]] [[FateWorseThanDeath 'lives']] [[HourGlassPlot for his captor, [[{{sadist Ramsay}}]]]]. Both are physically beautiful, [[spoiler:but undergo a death either [[LossOfIdentity symbolic]] or [[BackFromTheDead literal]] that leaves them horrifically mutilated, white-haired, sallow-skinned and CoveredInScars. Both adopt new names after this. As Lady Stoneheart,]] Cat becomes the embodiment of RevengeBeforeReason, pursuing a twisted form of justice against the people she considers responsible for her family's demise in such a way it's impossible for most readers to consider her actions at all just, whereas [[spoiler:as Reek]] Theon receives a dose of LaserGuidedKarma so cruel and disproportionate it's impossible for most readers to consider it justice for his crimes.

** Lyanna Stark. Arya is frequently compared to her aunt by many characters, especially by her father, from looks to personality. Like Lyanna, Arya is tomboy-ish, one-of-the-boys, HotBlooded, good horsewoman and swordsman in contrast to Westerosi expectations of gender, and has a tendency to defend the weak. Both were separated from their families during a war. However, Lyanna was reunited with one of her brothers while Arya has yet to be reunited with her family. Where Lyanna was taken by the crown prince, with multiple noble houses drawn into a war that was motivated to take her back, Arya hid among the smallfolk; is removed from the politics of the Seven Kingdoms; and is either forgotten about/overlooked by warring factions, or members of her family try to save her but they are unable to get to her. Lyanna had an ArrangedMarriage with Robert Baratheon but didn't love him and was aware he only saw her beauty and not her iron underneath; Arya befriended Gendry (Robert's [[HeroicBastard bastard]] son) without them knowing his identity or having a match forced upon them, they fought and suffered together as commoners, and Gendry respected her spirited nature and ability to survive during the war.

** Varamyr Sixskins. Both of them have broken pretty much every skinchanging taboo there is, but for entirely different reasons. Bran hasn't been taught about the taboos and isn't mature enough to think through the implications of his actions. Whereas Varamyr, who had a mentor and knew many other skinchangers, knowing and deliberately breaks them because it makes him feel powerful.
** Jon Snow. Both are Ned's second sons in different ways: since Robb was conceived on Ned and Catelyn's wedding night and Jon is born after Ned goes to war, Jon is the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he is Ned's biological son]]]]), whereas Bran is Ned's second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not her own child, but her husband's son by another woman. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]] but have extremely close relationships with them. Both are good-hearted, follow their calling to and/or beyond the Wall, and experience insecurities in relation to their statuses and are motivated to disprove negative connotations with their respective statuses (Jon, a [[HeroicBastard bastard son]], joins the Watch for the sake of duty and to earn his own honour; Bran, [[spoiler:being crippled]], expands his mental abilities and seeks to experience the world beyond the limitations of his physical condition). Both grow up sheltered by protective parent(s) and must face the harsh realities of life after their family is separated and they leave home (Ned must go south and hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell but Catelyn won't allow it because Jon is not her son, while Bran is forced to flee Winterfell after [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]) -- and both find out it's not quite what they expected. Both are dutiful, work to save people, experience positions of leadership at young ages, and make difficult decisions on their journeys, although with Jon, it tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] which forces him to mature quickly after their family is separated, whereas Bran -- though he is mature for his age -- still has some immaturity and lacks some comprehension of his decisions due to his younger age. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind, ([[spoiler:who are both dead]]); Sansa and Lady, ([[spoiler:with Lady being dead]]); Arya and Nymeria, ([[spoiler:who are separated from each other]]); and Rickon and Shaggydog, ([[spoiler:who are both MIA]]). And as of ''A Dance With Dragons'', thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:Bran and Jon could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** Stannis Baratheon. He did what Stannis planned to do, enforce justice on everybody at the corrupt court, regardless of their class or title. And they both try and avenge a King's murder, even if they were opposed to said King, out of their feeling that treachery should be punished.

** Janos Slynt. They are both lowborn men raised to nobility. Janos Slynt was in an apparently honorable position, commanding the Goldcloaks, but earns his position through being corrupt and self-serving, supporting a usurper. Davos was a criminal who used his smuggling skills to help Stannis, leading to his position. He earns more honors through being honest, loyal and deserving. While Davos continues to act humble, feeling undeserving of his honors and not using his title often, Slynt after becoming a Lord acts [[SmallNameBigEgo arrogantly]] and insists on being referred to as a Lord. Also, Davos helps save one of Robert's bastards though he knows he risks execution, while Slynt shows no remorse for carrying out a purge of Robert's bastards. [[spoiler:Slynt ends up losing his head for disobeying orders, Davos apparently loses his head while loyally trying to carry out Stannis' wishes, but in reality survives.]]

** Cersei Lannister. Both love their children, Catelyn even seeing some justification in Cersei's actions. However, Catelyn has a loving relationship with her husband [[spoiler:while Cersei cheats on her husband with her brother Jaime.]] Also [[spoiler:both are driven into madness and obsessive anger when their first-born son is murdered in front of them.]]

** Arya Stark. Despite being the only one of Cat's children not to take after her physically, and her TomboyPrincess attitude not much resembling Cat's ProperLady one, it's clear that Arya inherited a lot of personality traits from her mother: her HotBlooded nature, her tendency to be more practical and cynical than the rest of their family, and less inclined to follow Honor Before Reason, her strong sense of justice that often translates into a desire for vengeance, and her ability to hold a grudge. However, Cat was the eldest child and PromotedToParent very young, meaning she grew up [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask wearing the queenly mask]], and so the traits she shares with her daughter only really become apparent as she becomes increasingly traumatised. Arya, being a middle child with two parents, and then later [[spoiler:being separated from her family]], is able to be [[RebelliousPrincess rebellious]] a lot longer. [[spoiler:After they both believe most of their family is dead, they both end up on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge]]. Arya is also one of the least class-conscious people in Westeros, easily making friends like Mycah the butcher's boy, Hot Pie, and Gendry, whereas Catelyn is, despite her generally compassionate nature, more classist -- being put a bit out of sorts by illegitimate children (as they remind her of her husband's own [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] Jon Snow by an [[MissingMom unknown woman]], a woman who Catelyn feared Ned loved more than her due to Ned's fierce protectiveness over Jon) and her reference to the smallfolk [[spoiler:Edmure lets take shelter in Riverrun]] as 'useless mouths' (understandable, given [[spoiler:the castle was about to be besieged]], but still).

** Sansa Stark. Ned and Catelyn's respective eldest son and daughter, Robb and Sansa, both physically resemble their mother greatly, but inherit a number of character traits from their father, particularly his naivety, which proves a FatalFlaw for the lot of them (although [[spoiler:Sansa at least lives to learn from her mistakes]]). Their respective arcs say a lot about the nature of Westerosi gender roles and the expectations they come with: after [[spoiler:Ned's death]], Robb is immediately forced to grow into manhood and take on the roles and responsibilities of a lord [[spoiler:and king]], despite being young and unprepared, and he develops a facade that makes him appear a good deal more certain and confident than he really is. However, [[spoiler:his youth leads him to make a number of crucial mistakes, ultimately costing him his life]]. Sansa, conversely, is treated as an UnwittingPawn by everyone around her, [[ObfuscatingStupidity which she slowly learns to use to her advantage]]. Robb spends the first three books as a SupportingProtagonist, up until [[spoiler:his death]], whereas Sansa spends most of the first three books as a PinballProtagonist, up until [[spoiler:her escape from King's Landing after Robb's death.]]

** Jon Snow. Both are Ned's second sons in different ways: since Robb was conceived on Ned and Catelyn's wedding night and Jon is born after Ned goes to war, Jon is the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he is Ned's biological son]]]]), whereas Bran is Ned's second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not her own child, but her husband's son by another woman. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]] but have extremely close relationships with them. Both are good-hearted, follow their calling to and/or beyond the Wall, and experience insecurities in relation to their statuses and are motivated to disprove negative connotations with their respective statuses (Jon, a [[HeroicBastard bastard son]], joins the Watch for the sake of duty and to earn his own honour; Bran, [[spoiler:being crippled]], expands his mental abilities and seeks to experience the world beyond the limitations of his physical condition). Both grow up sheltered by protective parent(s) and must face the harsh realities of life after their family is separated and they leave home (Ned must go south and hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell but Catelyn won't allow it because Jon is not her son, while Bran is forced to flee Winterfell after [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]) -- and both find out it's not quite what they expected. Both are dutiful, work to save people, experience positions of leadership at young ages, and make difficult decisions on their journeys, although with Jon, it tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] which forces him to mature quickly after their family is separated, whereas Bran -- though he is mature for his age -- still has some immaturity and lacks some comprehension due to his younger age. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind, ([[spoiler:who are both dead]]); Sansa and Lady, ([[spoiler:with Lady being dead]]); Arya and Nymeria, ([[spoiler: who separated]]); and Rickon and Shaggydog, ([[spoiler:who are both MIA]]). And as of ''A Dance With Dragons'', thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:they could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** Jon Snow. Both are Ned's second sons in different ways: since Robb was conceived on Ned and Catelyn's wedding night and Jon is born after Ned goes to war, Jon is the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he ''is'' Ned's biological son]]]]), whereas Bran is Ned's second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not her own child, but her husband's son by another woman. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]] but have extremely close relationships with them. Both are good-hearted, follow their calling to and/or beyond the Wall, and experience insecurities in relation to their statuses and are motivated to disprove negative connotations with their respective statuses (Jon, a [[HeroicBastard bastard son]], joins the Watch for the sake of duty and to earn his own honour; Bran, [[spoiler:being crippled]], expands his mental abilities and seeks to experience the world beyond the limitations of his physical condition). Both grow up sheltered by protective parent(s) and must face the harsh realities of life after their family is separated and they leave home (Ned must go south and hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell but Catelyn won't allow it because Jon is not her son, while Bran is forced to flee Winterfell after [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]) -- and both find out it's not quite what they expected. Both are dutiful, work to save people, experience positions of leadership at young ages, and make difficult decisions on their journeys, although with Jon, it tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] which forces him to mature quickly after their family is separated, whereas Bran -- though he is mature for his age -- still has some immaturity and lacks some comprehension due to his younger age. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind, ([[spoiler:who are both dead]]); Sansa and Lady, ([[spoiler:with Lady being dead]]); Arya and Nymeria, ([[spoiler: who separated]]); and Rickon and Shaggydog, ([[spoiler:who are both MIA]]). And as of ''A Dance With Dragons'', thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:they could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** [[spoiler: Aegon VI]]. Varys gives a monologue about the ideal leader Westeros needs and it fits Arya perfectly. Trained in arms, reads and writes, speaks several tongues [[note]](Common Tongue, High Valyrian, Braavosi, Lysen and Pentoshi)[[/note]] has studied history [[note]](she adores female figures like Visenya and Nymeria)[[/note]] and law [[note]]([[spoiler: the reason she killed Daeron]])[[/note]] and poetry [[note]](prefers songs of Wenda the White Fawn)[[/note]]. She has lived with fisherfolk, worked with her hands, swum in rivers (like a fish according to Jon) and mended nets and learned to wash her own clothes at need. She can fish and cook and bind up a wound, she knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. She understands kingship is a duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them [[note]](she defended the butcher's boy Mycah from Prince Joffrey, and understands that the smallfolk deserve freely-given justice.)[[/note]] Varys, however, wasn't talking about Arya, but about [[spoiler: Aegon VI]].

** Tommen Baratheon. Both are children thrown into a position of authority. Much like in the case of Sweetrobin, Bran avoided becoming a political token like Tommen is.

** Jon Snow. Both are Ned's second sons in different ways: since Robb was conceived on Ned and Catelyn's wedding night and Jon is born after Ned goes to war, Jon is the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he ''is'' Ned's biological son]]]]), whereas Bran is Ned's second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not her own child, but her husband's son by another woman. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]] but have extremely close relationships with them. Both are good-hearted, follow their calling to and/or beyond the Wall, and are motivated to overcome their statuses (Jon's [[HeroicBastard bastardy]] and Bran's [[spoiler:being crippled]]). Both grow up sheltered by protective parent(s) and must face the harsh realities of life after their family is separated and they leave home (Ned must go south and hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell but Catelyn won't allow it because Jon is not her son, while Bran is forced to flee Winterfell after [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]) -- and both find out it's not quite what they expected. Both are dutiful, work to save people, and make difficult decisions on their journeys, although with Jon, it tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] which forces him to mature quickly after their family is separated, whereas Bran -- while he is relative mature for his age -- still has some immaturity and lack of comprehension due to his younger age. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind, ([[spoiler:who are both dead]]); Sansa and Lady, ([[spoiler:with Lady being dead]]); Arya and Nymeria, ([[spoiler: who separated]]); and Rickon and Shaggydog, ([[spoiler:who are both MIA]]). And as of ''A Dance With Dragons'', thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:they could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** House Lannister. There are few better comparisons between TheHero and one candidate of the BigBad in BigBadEnsemble. Both are ancient and powerful Houses with good militaries. Both were once kings whom were reduced to liege lord by Targaryens. House Stark rules GrimUpNorth with fewer resources, House Lannister rules a warmer land with many more natural resources. Both are concerned with honor but the Starks' stem from doing what's right, just, or both, while the Lannisters' stem from their self-interest and arrogance. Starks have an HonorBeforeReason attitude who see [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility ruling as duty]], Lannisters see ruling more as [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatPerks their right.]] Male Starks wear utilitarian gear most of the time, male Lannisters wear extravagant clothes even while [[BlingOfWar going to battle]]. Lannisters play the Game of Thrones and hone their skills to win it while Starks detest this game because of said HonorBeforeReason and definitely lose big time when they do have to play it. Lannisters [[BigScrewedUpFamily are a big family but don't have the best relationships]] (with the exception of the relationship between Tyrion and Jaime). Starks are a smaller but loving family (except for Catelyn's cold treatment of Jon Snow, but Jon is loved by the rest of the family). Starks have primarily descended from the First Men while Lannisters, like other southerners, are now mostly descended from the Andals. Both used to have Valyrian Swords -- Lannisters lost theirs long ago, Starks lost theirs recently [[spoiler:thanks to the Lannisters confiscating said sword and reforging it. Both lost many important members during the War of Five Kings.]]

** Theon Greyjoy. Both are foreigners at Winterfell, having come to the North from very different cultures which follow different gods (the Seven and the Drowned God, respectively), and both still feel like outsiders because of this. However, Catelyn -- as Lady Stark and the wife of the warden of the North -- is clearly an integral part of the family, whereas Theon -- as the Starks' hostage clearly isn't. Both have somewhat [[GoingNative Gone Native]] as well. Their respective homelands, the Riverlands and the Iron Islands, are both associated with water, and have a long but troubled history together: the Riverlands had been ruled by the Ironborn prior to Aegon's Conquest, but very unhappily, and both Catelyn and Theon's families only became rulers of their respective regions of Westeros thanks to Aegon's destruction of House Hoare. Both have a very bitter attitude towards Jon Snow fueled partly by jealousy, Theon's jealousy over Jon's acceptance by his father and siblings and as one of the Stark children, despite his illegitimate status while Catelyn's fears Ned might have loved Jon's [[MissingMom mother]] more than her. Theon is a StepfordSmiler whereas Catelyn is TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask. Both have a bad habit of hiding all their doubts and insecurities behind a facade until it [[SanitySlippage starts to eat away at their sanity]] and severely hampers their decision making. Catelyn is utterly devoted to others, namely her family, whereas Theon is very selfish. However, [[spoiler:[[HourGlassPlot after her family's deaths, Catelyn devotes her]] [[CameBackWrong 'life']] [[HourGlassPlot to pursuing her own need for vengeance, whereas Theon has been broken and brainwashed into considering himself worthless and only]] [[FateWorseThanDeath 'lives']] [[HourGlassPlot for his captor, [[{{sadist Ramsay}}]]]]. Both are physically beautiful, [[spoiler:but undergo a death either [[LossOfIdentity symbolic]] or [[BackFromTheDead literal]] that leaves them horrifically mutilated, white-haired, sallow-skinned and CoveredInScars. Both adopt new names after this. As Lady Stoneheart,]] Cat becomes the embodiment of RevengeBeforeReason, pursuing a twisted form of justice against the people she considers responsible for her family's demise in such a way it's impossible for most readers to consider her actions at all just, whereas [[spoiler:as Reek]] Theon receives a dose of LaserGuidedKarma so cruel and disproportionate it's impossible for most readers to consider it justice for his crimes.

** Sansa Stark. Ned and Catelyn's respective eldest son and daughter. Robb and Sansa both physically resemble their mother greatly, but inherit a number of character traits from their father, particularly his naivety, which proves a FatalFlaw for the lot of them (although [[spoiler:Sansa at least lives to learn from her mistakes]]). Their respective arcs say a lot about the nature of Westerosi gender roles and the expectations they come with: after [[spoiler:Ned's death]], Robb is immediately forced to grow into manhood and take on the roles and responsibilities of a lord [[spoiler:and king]], despite being young and unprepared, and he develops a facade that makes him appear a good deal more certain and confident than he really is. However, [[spoiler:his youth leads him to make a number of crucial mistakes, ultimately costing him his life]]. Sansa, conversely, is treated as an UnwittingPawn by everyone around her, [[ObfuscatingStupidity which she slowly learns to use to her advantage]]. Robb spends the first three books as a SupportingProtagonist, up until [[spoiler:his death]], whereas Sansa spends most of the first three books as a PinballProtagonist, up until [[spoiler:her escape from King's Landing after Robb's death.]]

** Daenerys Targaryen. Sansa is what would have happened to Daenerys if Daenrys didn't have the mechanisms to fight back and if she weren't surrounded by prophecy. It's fair to point out that Dany greatly relied in the charity of others to survive up to the events of AGOT and these same people might be pushing these gifts for her to fulfill said prophecy. While Sansa is largely a political pawn, Dany has several people on her back trying to make her an ideological pawn. Both see themselves as dissatisfied with their aspirations once they fulfill them: Sansa has dreamt of a courtly, glamorous life; Dany was told all her life she is a natural-born leader who is meant to rule -- but once they come to realize these aspirations, they both find out that the reality of their aspirations is far more crushing, dangerous and difficult than either of them could know. Both are very attractive but have found little advantage to it. Both have been separated from their families. Sansa has four brothers (Robb, Jon, Rickon and Bran) who love her while Daenerys' own brother (Viserys) uses her as a pawn and treats her poorly. [[spoiler: In more recent events, both Sansa and Daenerys are trying to shed their personae and become more pragmatic... only that Dany has dragons and hasn't used them fully.]]

** Lyanna Stark. Arya is frequently compared to her aunt by many characters, especially by her father, from looks to personality. Like Lyanna, Arya is tomboy-ish, one-of-the-boys, HotBlooded, good horsewoman and swordsman in contrast to Westerosi expectations of gender, and has a tendency to defend the weak. Both were separated from their families during a war. However, Lyanna was reunited with one of her brothers while Arya has yet to be reunited with her family. Where Lyanna was taken by the crown prince, with multiple noble houses drawn into a war that was motivated to take her back, Arya hid among the smallfolk; is removed from the politics of the Seven Kingdoms; and is either forgotten about/overlooked by warring factions, or members of her family try to save her but they are unable to get to her. Lyanna had an ArrangedMarriage with Robert Baratheon but didn't love him and was aware he only saw her beauty and not her iron underneath; Arya befriended Gendry (Robert's bastard son) without them knowing his identity or having a match forced upon them, they fought and suffered together as commoners, and Gendry respected her spirited nature and ability to survive during the war.

** Jon Snow. Both are Ned's second sons in different ways: Robb is conceived on Ned and Catelyn's wedding night and Jon is born after Ned goes to war, making Jon the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he ''is'' Ned's biological son]]]]), whereas Bran is his second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not her own child, but her husband's son by another woman. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]] but have extremely close relationships with them. Both are good-hearted, follow their calling to and/or beyond the Wall, are motivated by insecurities to overcome their statuses (Jon's [[HeroicBastard bastardy]] and Bran's [[spoiler:being crippled]]). Both grow up sheltered by protective parent(s) and must face the harsh realities of life -- finding out it's not quite what they expected -- after their family is separated and they leave home (Ned must go south to be Robert's Hand and had hoped Jon would stay at Winterfell but Catelyn won't allow it as Jon is not her son while Bran is forced to flee Winterfell after [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]). Both are dutiful, work to save people, and make difficult decisions on their journeys, although with Jon, it tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] which force him to mature quickly after their family is separated, whereas Bran -- who is several years younger -- still possesses some immaturity and lack of foresight due to his young age. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind ([[spoiler:both dead]]), Sansa and Lady ([[spoiler:wolf dead]]), Arya and Nymeria ([[spoiler:separated]]), and Rickon and Shaggydog ([[spoiler:both MIA]]). And as of ADWD, thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:they could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** Daenerys Targaryen. Cersei was always surrounded in riches and opulence that comes through the Lannister family and developed an ego to match it; Daenerys was brought up with meager means in spite of her Targaryen name and ekes off the charity of sparse benefactors. Once they both came into power, however, they found themselves ill prepared to rule. Cersei tries to rule just out of her family's influence and fails miserably; Daenerys instead tries to learn about the nuances of ruling and finds that it's not nearly as easy as she thought it would be.

** Benjen Stark. The kids' more adventurous, youngest uncle that disappeared [[spoiler:but might as well be alive for all we know?]]

** Robert Baratheon. Like Robert she is great at leading people, galvanizing them to fight for her and acquiring power, but [[NotSoDifferent an awful ruler]].

** Theon Greyjoy. Both are foreigners at Winterfell, having come there years ago from cultures very different from the North, who follow different gods (the Seven and the Drowned God, respectively), and both still feel like outsiders because of this, but Cat as Lady Stark is clearly an integral part of the family, whereas Theon as the Starks' hostage clearly isn't. Both have somewhat [[GoingNative Gone Native]] as well. Their respective homelands, the Riverlands and the Iron Islands, are both associated with water, and have a long but troubled history together: the Riverlands having been ruled by the Ironborn prior to Aegon's Conquest, but very unhappily, and both Catelyn and Theon's families only became rulers of their respective regions of Westeros thanks to Aegon's distruction of House Hoare. Both have a very bitter attitude towards Jon Snow fueled at least partly by jealousy, Theon's over Jon's acceptance by his father and siblings as one of the Stark children despite his baseborn status, Catelyn's over her fears Ned might have loved Jon's mother more than her. Theon is a StepfordSmiler whereas Catelyn is TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask, but both have a bad habit of hiding all their doubts and insecurities behind a facade until it [[SanitySlippage starts to eat away at their sanity]] and severely hampers their decision making. Catelyn is utterly devoted to others, namely her family, whereas Theon is very selfish, but [[spoiler:[[HourGlassPlot after her family's deaths Catelyn devotes her]] [[CameBackWrong 'life']] [[HourGlassPlot to pursuing her own need for vengeance, whereas Theon has been brainwashed into considering himself worthless and only]] [[FateWorseThanDeath 'lives']] [[HourGlassPlot for his captor, Ramsay]]]]. Both are physically beautiful, [[spoiler:but undergo a death either [[LossOfIdentity symbolic]] or [[BackFromTheDead literal]] that leaves them horrifically mutilated, white-haired, sallow-skinned and CoveredInScars. Both adopt new names after this. As Lady Stoneheart,]] Cat becomes the embodiment of RevengeBeforeReason, pursuing a twisted form of justice against the people she considers responsible for her family's demise in such a way it's impossible for most readers to consider her actions at all just, whereas [[spoiler:as Reek]] Theon receives a dose of LaserGuidedKarma so cruel and disproportionate it's impossible for most readers to consider it justice for his crimes.
** Arya Stark. Despite being the only one of Cat's children not to take after her physically, and her TomboyPrincess attitude not much resembling Cat's ProperLady one, it's clear that Arya inherited a lot of personality traits from her mother: her HotBlooded nature, her tendency to be more practical and cynical than the rest of their family, and less inclined to follow Honor Before Reason, her strong sense of justice that often translates into a desire for vengeance, and her ability to hold a grudge. However, Cat was the eldest child and PromotedToParent very young, meaning she grew up [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask wearing the queenly mask]], and so the traits she shares with her daughter only really become apparent as she becomes increasingly traumatised. Arya, being a middle child with two parents, and then later [[spoiler:being separated from her family]], was able to be [[RebelliousPrincess rebellious]] a lot longer. [[spoiler:After they both believe their family is dead, they both end up on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge]]. Arya is also one of the least class-conscious people in Westeros, easily making friends like Mycah the butcher's boy, Hot Pie, and Gendry, whereas Catelyn is, despite her generally compassionate nature, rather classist, shown in her attitude to Jon Snow, to bastards more generally, and in her reference to the smallfolk [[spoiler:Edmure lets take shelter in Riverrun]] as 'useless mouths' (understandable given [[spoiler:the castle was about to be besieged]], but still).

** Sansa Stark. Ned and Cat's respective eldest son and daughter, both physical highly resemble their mother, but inherit a number of character traits from their father, particularly his naivety, which proves a FatalFlaw for the lot of them (although [[spoiler:Sansa at least lives to learn from her mistakes]]). Their respective arcs say a lot about the nature of Westerosi gender roles and the expectations they come with: after [[spoiler:Ned's death]] Robb is immediately forced to grow into manhood and take on the roles and responsibilities of a lord [[spoiler:and king]], despite being young and unprepared, and he develops a facade that makes him appear a good deal more certain and confident than he really is. [[spoiler:However his youth leads him to make a number of crucial mistakes, ultimately costing him his life]]. Sansa, conversely, is treated as an UnwittingPawn by everyone around her, [[ObfuscatingStupidity which she slowly learns to use to her advantage]]. Robb spends the first three books as a SupportingProtagonist, up until [[spoiler:his death]], whereas Sansa spends most of the first three books as a PinballProtagonist, up until [[spoiler:her escape from King's Landing after Robb's death.]]

** Jon Snow. both are Ned's second son in different ways: Jon is was born after Ned went off to war after having already conceived Robb with Catelyn at Riverrun, and so would be the second son Ned conceived ([[spoiler:that is, [[EpilepticTrees if he's Ned's son at all]]]]), whereas Bran is his second trueborn son. Bran is Catelyn's [[ParentalFavoritism favourite child]], whereas Jon is her {{Unfavorite}}, since he's not hers at all. Both tend to be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] of the Stark boys, compared to [[HotBlooded Robb]] and [[WildChild Rickon]]. Both follow their calling to and/or beyond the wall, both motivated by insecurities over their lesser status (Jon's bastardy and Bran's [[spoiler:being crippled]]) and being forced by outside circumstances (Catelyn's unwillingness to have Jon at Winterfell without Ned there, [[spoiler:Theon Greyjoy's capture and Ramsay Bolton's sack of Winterfell]]) only to find out it's not quite what they expected. Both make a number of morally questionable decisions on the journey, although with Jon it tends to happen because he's forced into [[SadisticChoice impossible situations]] that force him to mature quickly, whereas Bran tends to be to young and immature to fully comprehend his actions. Bran [[spoiler:would be Robb's heir if anyone knew he was still alive, but it's implied Robb declared Jon his legal heir since he didn't]]. Both are also the last two Stark kids we directly see interacting with their direwolves, compared to Robb and Grey Wind ([[spoiler:both dead]]), Sansa and Lady ([[spoiler:wolf dead]]), Arya and Nymeria ([[spoiler:separated]]), and Rickon and Shaggydog ([[spoiler:both MIA]]). And as of ADWD, thanks to Melisandre, we have reason to believe [[spoiler:they could be the respective champions of the Great Other and the Lord of Light]].

** Brynden Rivers. Both served as hand of the king and both during a time of war, and were instrumental in their side's victory. Even though they were far more competent Hands than the kings they served (who also happened to be their nephews), they were disliked and distrusted by most people because of their physical appearance, Tyrion being a dwarf and Bloodraven an albino, and also they get in battle a serious injure that makes them even more menacing. They were imprisoned after their time as Hand (though Tyrion was definitely unjustly imprisoned) and were offered to go to the Wall -- Bloodraven accepted, Tyrion escaped before it would have happened. Finally, they're both kinslayers -- Branden's archers killed Daemon Blackfyre and his sons at his orders and also murdered his nephew Aenys Blackfyre by himself, Tyrion is accused of Joffrey's murder and eventually kills his own father.

** Brynden Rivers. Both served as hand of the king and both during a time of war, and were instrumental in their side's victory. Even though they were far more competent Hands than the kings they served (who also happened to be their nephews), they were disliked and distrusted by most people because of their physical appearance, Tyrion being a dwarf and Bloodraven an albino, and also they get in battle a serious injure that makes them even more menacing. They were imprisoned after their time as Hand (though Tyrion was definitely unjustly imprisoned) and were offered to go to the Wall - Bloodraven accepted, Tyrion escaped before it would have happened. Finally, they're both kinslayers - Branden's archers killed Daemon Blackfyre and his sons at his orders and also murdered his nephew Aenys Blackfyre by himself, Tyrion is accused of Joffrey's murder and eventually kills his own father.

** Rhaegar Targaryen. Both are [[WarriorPrince Warrior Princes]] widely thought of as TheAce and BigGood, with a HundredPercentAdorationRating, and are in-universe [[MemeticBadass Memetic Badasses]]. Both made bad decisions in regards to a woman (Rhaegar eloping with/kidnapping Lyanna Stark, Robb [[spoiler:marrying Jeyne Westerling]]) that required breaking marriage-related vows (Rhaegar's vows to Elia Martell, Robb's [[spoiler:marriage alliance with the Freys]]) and ultimately [[spoiler:got them killed]]. They were both possibly motivated by family history regarding childbearing (Rhaegar's wish to fulfill the Prince That Was Promised prophecy, Robb marrying the woman he slept with in case he got her pregnant). After their deaths, former supporters remain deeply devoted to their memories, and [[spoiler:plot to put their heirs (Aegon VI and Rickon Stark) on the throne]]. Both are entirely shown to us from others' perspectives -- Robb is one of two Starks (the other being Rickon) who is not a viewpoint character and Rhaegar is one of the most notable [[PosthumousCharacter Posthumous Characters]], leaving both subject to a lot of AlternateCharacterInterpretation. Both Robb and Rhaegar are also brothers to two characters who are often speculated to be TheChosenOne (Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen respectively, see below.)

** Lyanna Stark. Arya is frequently compared to her aunt by many characters, especially by her father, from looks to personality. Like Lyanna, Arya is tomboy-ish, one-of-the-boys, HotBlooded, good horsewoman and swordsman in contrast to Westerosi expectations of gender, and has a tendency to defend the weak. Both were separated from their families during a war. However, Lyanna was reunited with one of her brothers while Arya has yet to be reunited with her family. Where Lyanna was taken by the crown prince, with multiple noble houses were drawn into a war that was motivated to take her back, Arya hid among the smallfolk; is removed from the politics of the Seven Kingdoms; and is either forgotten about, overlooked by warring factions, with members of her family trying to save her but they are unable to get to her. Lyanna had an ArrangedMarriage with Robert Baratheon but didn't love him and was aware he only saw her beauty and not her iron underneath; Arya befriended Gendry (Robert's bastard son) without them knowing his identity or having a match forced upon them, they fought and suffered together as commoners, and Gendry respected her spirited nature and ability to survive during the war.

** House Targaryen. Both are respected and powerful Houses. Members of both houses have a tendency of having supernatural power because their respective exotic lineage. Both used to have lines of kings -- Starks' line of kings were ended when Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon I Targaryen and became warden of the North, The Targaryen's line of kings is cut as the result of Robert's Rebellion. Targaryens are a good example of both RoyallyScrewedUp and/or TheHighKing-s with some members (but not all) exhibiting madness while the Starks are more grounded with a tendency toward a more reserved, stoic temperament. Targaryens are associated with fire and dragons, Starks are associated with ice, wolves and winter.

** Lyanna Stark. Arya is frequently compared to her aunt by many characters, especially by her father, from looks to personality. Like Lyanna, Arya is tomboy-ish, one-of-the-boys, HotBlooded, good horsewoman and swordsman despite her gender, and has a tendency to defend the weak. Both were separated from their families during a war, and never got rescued. However, Lyanna was taken by the crown prince, multiple noble houses were drawn into a war that was motivated to save her, while Arya hid among the smallfolk, is removed from the politics of the high borns, and is forgotten about or overlooked by almost everyone. Lyanna had an ArrangedMarriage with Robert Baratheon but didn't love him and was aware he only saw her beauty and not her iron underneath; Arya befriended Gendry (Robert's bastard son) without them knowing his identity or having a match forced upon them, they fought and suffered together as commoners, and Gendry respected her spirited nature and ability to survive during the war.

** Jon Snow. They are both bastards, they both look like their fathers (who are best friends), Jon doesn't have a clue about who may be his mother and Gendry doesn't about his father. They also have a close brotherly relationship with Arya, who may have seen Gendry as a ReplacementGoldfish for her half-brother Jon. Jon joined the Night's Watch for the sake of earning his own honor, Gendry joined the Brotherhood for the same reason. However, Jon is an acknowledged illegitimate son of a lord who grows up under privileged circumstances, raised by his father in a castle, while Gendry is an unacknowledged illegitimate son of a king who grows up working as a blacksmith’s apprentice after his mother dies. [[spoiler: Even more ironic if Jon is Rhaegar Targaryen's son as Robert (Gendry's father) and Rhaegar were [[ArchEnemy archenemies]] but yet managed to father sons around the same age with several similarities — namely being the hidden sons of royalty.]]
** Joffrey Baratheon. Gendry is the [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] of King Robert, Joffrey is the [[BastardBastard illegitimate son]] of Queen Cersei. They both don't know about their SecretLegacy. Gendry has inherited all his father's good qualities (strength, courage, sense of justice, generosity), while Joffrey has inherited all his mother's flaws (selfishness, insolence and senseless cruelty). Joffrey grew up in luxury, relishes in his power and abuses the subjects under him, while Gendry was raised as a bastard in Flea Bottom, has no control over his own fate, spends his life being captured and sold by different masters, but still defends those more vulnerable than himself. Joffrey was [[{{ArrangedMarriage}} bethrothed]] to Sansa Stark to formally join the two families and give the failed Robert/Lyanna Stark match a second chance, but relentlessly abused and bullied her, and she grew to hate him. Gendry made genuine friends with Arya Stark - the true GenerationXerox of Lyanna, rather than Sansa, mutually protected her through the hell they suffered together, and [[{{ShipTease}} developed a close connection]] despite not knowing each other identities or having any Stark-Baratheon match forced upon them. Had Gendry and Joffrey been in each other's positions, the kingdom would have been a better place.

** Joffrey Baratheon. Gendry is the [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] of King Robert, Joffrey is the [[BastardBastard illegitimate son]] of Queen Cersei. They both don't know about their SecretLegacy. Gendry has inherited all his father's good qualities (strength, courage, sense of justice, generosity), while Joffrey has inherited all his mother's flaws (selfishness, insolence and senseless cruelty). Joffrey grew up in luxury, relishes in his power and abuses the subjects under him, while Gendry was raised as a bastard in Flea Bottom, has no control over his own fate, spends his life being captured and by different masters and defends the vulnerable. Joffrey was [[{{ArrangedMarriage}}} bethrothed]] to Sansa Stark to formally join the two families and give the failed Robert/Lyanna Stark match a second chance, but relentlessly abused and bullied her, and she grew to hate him. Gendry made genuine friends with Arya Stark - the true GenerationXerox of Lyanna, rather than Sansa, mutually protected her through the hell they suffered together, and [[{{ShipTease}} developed a close connection]] despite not knowing each other identities or having any Stark-Baratheon match forced upon them. Had Gendry and Joffrey been in each other's positions, the kingdom would have been a better place.

** Lyanna Stark. Arya is frequently compared to her aunt by many characters, especially by her father, from looks to personality. Like Lyanna, Arya is tomboy-ish, one-of-the-boys, HotBlooded, horsewoman and swordsman despite her gender, and has a tendency to defend the weak. Both were separated from their families during a war, and never got rescued. However, Lyanna was taken by the crown prince, multiple houses and nobles were drawn into a war that was partly motivated to save her, while Arya escaped to the smallfolk, is removed from the battles and politics of the high borns, and everyone has forgotten about her or believes her to be dead. Lyanna had an ArrangedMarriage with Robert Baratheon but didn't love him and he didn't see her

** Lyanna Stark. Arya is frequently compared to her aunt by many characters, especially by her father, from looks to personality. Like Lyanna, Arya is tomboy-ish, one-of-the-boys, HotBlooded and has a tendency to defend the weak. Both were separated from their families during a war, and never got rescued.

** Joffrey Baratheon. Gendry is the [[HeroicBastard illegitimate son]] of King Robert, Joffrey is the [[BastardBastard illegitimate son]] of Queen Cersei. They both don't know about their SecretLegacy. Gendry has inherited all his father's good qualities (strength, courage, sense of justice, generosity), while Joffrey has inherited all his mother's flaws (selfishness, insolence and senseless cruelty). Had they been in each other's positions, the kingdom would have been a better place.

** House Stark. The Martells rule a hedonistic kingdom in the desert. Starks rule what is seen as a domain of frozen waste and grim men. Doran, Oberyn and Elia's relationship mirror that of Eddard, Brandon and Lyanna. Even more so then that; whereas the Starks' lineage is infamous due to Torrhen Stark, the King Who Knelt, the Martells are proud to be the only unconquered kingdom of Westeros. And while the Starks are the in-universe poster family for HonorBeforeReason, the Martells are marked by their pragmatic and sneaky approach to life. And yet in spite of these differences, both families have a major hate-on for the Lannisters, even though they were on opposite sides of Robert's Rebellion. Additionally, both regions share the fact that they're cultural outliers among the Seven Kingdoms: The Dornish for their aforementioned Rhoynish influences, and the North for being the only kingdom not to have been overrun or assimilated by the Andals. Both care deeply for the smallfolk -- Starks heed the wisdom of First Men, Martells discover the wisdom after Princess Daenerys (no, not our Dany) that was betrothed to their Prince came to conclusion that under their clothes, the children of nobles can't be distinguished from children of smallfolk. Both lead the regions which are good at fighting defensively in respective harsh home terrains and easily defended pass (or fighting in general) -- [[HadToBeSharp men]] [[GrimUpNorth of north]] are famed for their martial prowess by either nobles or smallfolk, Dorne produces long list of finest knights in Seven Kingdom and have their guerrilla tactics as defensive strategy.