Did Stannis Baratheon Kill His Daughter Shireen in the Books?
Recently, there has been a great deal of discussion surrounding the fate of Stannis Baratheon's daughter Shireen in the books. As of the last book published, this event has not yet been depicted in the HBO series. The question of whether Stannis kills his daughter Shireen remains a subject of much speculation and analysis by fans of A Song of Ice and Fire.
The HBO Series vs. the Books
In the HBO series, it is not depicted that Stannis kills his daughter Shireen. However, if the books follow the same narrative path as the series, there is still the possibility that Stannis may be forced to make an extremely difficult decision regarding Shireen's fate.
It is mentioned that Stannis, willing to sacrifice himself and command his soldiers to keep fighting for the sake of his daughter, is not the one to burn Shireen. However, if the Others break through the Wall, Stannis may consider that there is no choice left if humanity is to survive. In such a critical situation, Stannis might be driven to make a tragic choice, causing a devastating impact on his character and his story.
Here, George R.R. Martin’s statement that “despite everything he is a righteous man” is crucial. This suggests that Stannis would not be seen as a villain, even if the two D's (George RR Martin's daughters) portrayed him as such in their earlier works. Considering this, the situation may resemble that of Denethor, who, driven to despair, burned himself and his son Faramir. Similarly, if Stannis were to consider burning Shireen, it would be in a similar spirit of desperate sacrifice.
Speculation on Stannis and Shireen's Fate
Before the books reached the point where Stannis could be forced to burn Shireen, there was an assumption that Melisandre and Selyse might be planning to burn Shireen in a ritual to revive Jon Snow. However, this scenario does not seem to fit the timeline in the books.
The idea that Stannis would burn Shireen cannot be easily dismissed. It aligns with Martin's style, which often incorporates mythological tropes with a twist. This is reminiscent of Agamemnon and Iphigenia, where the sacrifice of a daughter does not succeed as originally planned. However, in more critical situations, Stannis might indeed consider burning Shireen because it would be a significant sacrifice for him.
It is speculated that Stannis might burn Shireen under certain circumstances. For example, if he conquers Winterfell and then gets besieged by the Boltons, it might lead to a traumatic repetition of the Storm's End siege. Alternatively, it could happen during the war against the Others, a situation that would be extremely dire and force Stannis to make an agonizing choice.
Ultimately, Stannis's storyline is likely to be tragic, much like in the HBO series. Despite his efforts and sacrifices, it is believed that his decision to burn Shireen, if it happens, would still end in failure. The showrunners have accurately portrayed Stannis's love for his daughter, but the ultimate outcome is uncertain. This reflects the grim and unpredictable nature of A Song of Ice and Fire, leaving fans to ponder the many possible outcomes and the consequences of such dramatic choices.
The burning of Shireen is a complex and controversial topic that has sparked much debate among fans. The books, as yet unpublished, may reveal the true fate of Shireen. Until then, the question of whether Stannis will kill Shireen remains a mystery, adding to the intrigue and suspense of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Conclusion
The fate of Stannis Baratheon and his daughter Shireen is a fascinating and complex topic. Whether or not Stannis will burn Shireen in the books remains an open question, with many clues left to be discovered. As readers and fans wait for the final books, the question of Stannis's fate and his daughter's fate continues to captivate the imagination.