Joffrey's Lack of Affection for Tommen and Myrcella in Game of Thrones

In the acclaimed TV series, Game of Thrones, Joffrey Baratheon is portrayed as a cruel, sadistic, and self-centered character with a burning desire for power.

Unicorns and Vampires: Joffrey's Love for His Siblings?

Among all the tumultuous relationships and power struggles in the show, the dynamics between Joffrey and his siblings, Tommen and Myrcella, are often scrutinized. However, throughout the series, Joffrey does not exhibit any genuine love or affection for his brothers and sister. His interactions with them are more reflective of his personality as a power-hungry king rather than any familial affection.

Jeffrey’s Jealousy and Possessiveness

Joffrey's possessiveness towards Myrcella is most notably showcased when he jealously questions her relationship with others. This possessiveness can be interpreted more as a desire for control rather than a genuine love. For instance, in one memorable scene, Joffrey mocks Myrcella, showing his disdain for her innocent rebellion:

"Mother said,” mocked the king. “Don’t be childish.”
"We’re children,” Myrcella declared haughtily. “We’re supposed to be childish.”
The Hound laughed. “She has you there.”

Tommen's interactions with Joffrey are similarly devoid of warmth. Joffrey often bullies him and views Tommen as weak. Despite this, it is worth noting that Joffrey does let his siblings get away with more than most others, indicating a certain degree of attention to their presence, albeit not in a positive way.

Deeper Insights into Joffrey's Cruelty

Tommen's suffering under Joffrey's rule is evident when we learn that Joffrey killed Tommen’s pet fawn, and potentially subjected him to worse before his older brother, Jaime, intervenes. In this darker scene, Joffrey utters:

The world is full of horrors, Tommen. You can fight them or laugh at them or look without seeing... go away inside.

In another poignant moment, Tommen confesses to his uncle Jaime that he used to retreat inside his mind when Joffrey terrorized him, a clear reflection of the psychological impact of Joffrey's presence in his life:

I... I used to go away inside sometimes, when Joffy...

No Tender Spot for Family Affection

It is important to note that Joffrey truly cared for no one, including his morally bankrupt mother, Cersei, or his father/uncle, Jaime. There is no evidence to suggest that he ever truly loved or cared for his siblings beyond the superficial level of familial ties. Tommen and Myrcella did receive a bit more leniency compared to other characters, but this does not necessarily indicate an absence of cruelty. Their closeness to Joffrey meant that they, too, faced considerable pain and suffering under his reign.

Conclusion

Joffrey Baratheon's character in Game of Thrones is a testament to his utter lack of affection for his siblings, Tommen and Myrcella. While he did occasionally let them get away with more, their relationship with Joffrey was one defined by cruelty, control, and fear. There is no indication of genuine love or familial affection from Joffrey in his interactions with Tommen and Myrcella.