Original artwork, not a still
A Clash of Kings • 1998
Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less. A shadow on the wall, yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Varys treats authority as a shared belief with very real consequences. The apparent solidity of power depends on people continuing to act as if it is solid.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for A Clash of KingsShow the scene
Varys gives Tyrion this explanation of power in A Clash of Kings, following his riddle about a king, a priest, a rich man and a sellsword. Their conversation questions why any command is obeyed. The card keeps Varys’s answer together rather than splitting it into disconnected aphorisms.
Sources (2)
- Tyrion II — reference 1Tyrion II; selected line and sceneReference checked
- Tyrion II — reference 2Tyrion II; selected line and sceneReference checked
Context reviewed
