“Above all things, boy – be a Man…”

 

Tywin (the elder man) is most definitely an Alpha male.

There is nothing Faux about it.

Here’s why:

1} “Lannisters don’t act like fools. Go on; say something clever.” Tywin understands that words are, all things considered, meaningless. Action, and action alone, is the only way to accomplish anything, to judge or by which to be judged. Speech is simply the movement of air.

2} “Why is he still alive?… Clean?” Alpha males understand that survival is the main goal. And reproduction, the second. Men, such as he, understand that the attainment of power is the best way to survive, prosper and reproduce (women are attracted to power – hence, confidence is always at the top of their list). The means to achieve it is rarely, if ever, punished. Women, in particular, aren’t often interested (and often willingly ignore) how a man got to the top; they care that he is there. What other people think of a Man’s actions is frequently irrelevant since, as stated above, speech is merely moving air and few are willing to dish out punishment/justice. Women care what others think because that is the essence of their value since fickleness is all too common among the majority of them. A solid reputation of kindness, loyalty and fidelity are great boons to women as they give Men a look at how qualified they are to be good mothers and not cuckold the Man in their lives.

3} “A Lannister always pays his debts.” This should be understood as to imply debts of both coin and blood. Men know that their reliability is paramount to all, male and female alike, in their lives. Friends should know a Man has their back and enemies should know a Man has their number.

4} Respect is not opinion but fact. This is difficult for many to grasp. One can be loved or hated and still respected. In fact, what healthy women would call “love” is not at all what most would believe. It is respect – hence, hypergamy (the constantly trading up). This is why, when a woman says “You’re such a jerk, I don’t know why I love you.”, it seems paradoxical. This also why Remarque says in All Quiet On The Western Front that battle brings men closer together than if they were lovers.

5} Men know, to their very depths, that they will die. Moreso than most, since so many want what they have and will kill/hobble/harm them to get it. They also know they are not women; precious few will come to their aid in times of trouble. More importantly, they are expected to handle things on their own. Men understand that only their surname lives on. This is why higher quality Men are so choosy in their mating. “Love” is great – but it is by no means a guarantee. A Man’s legacy is, really, all he has.

6} Notice that Tywin is skinning his own dinner. A Man has no fear of bloodying his hands. He never – never – asks another to do what he, himself, would not do.

7} Notice that Tywin rarely looks at his son when he speaks yet his son does not take his eyes off of his father. An Alpha knows and feels that eyes will be upon him when he speaks. He has no need to be validated in this.

8} Tywin admits his son, Tyrion, is a prisoner and a disappointment. But Tyrion is still his son. A Man protects his lineage – regardless of its apparent worth.

9} Tywin emphasizes the value of youth. Alpha Men know how precious a gift it is and are self-aware, self-critical enough, to realize that they have regrets and wish they did things differently, now and then. They admit to their failings and hold themselves accountable, although they do not permit others to judge them.

10} Tywin emphasizes the treasure that is “the now”. Men know that an imperfect action now is better than stalling in hopes of a perfect action later since, all too rarely, is there a another chance.

My only complaint about the speech Tywin gives is that it should have been made when his son was approximately 8-years-old.

And once more a few a years later.

 

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