The Iron Throne
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When first mentioning the show Game of Thrones, most people would picture the Iron Throne to be the main base for the show due to the major symbolism it gives off, such as the constant conflicts over power. However, the Iron throne we see on HBO, is nothing compared to the throne the famous author had originally had in mind. Thr throne that is supposed to be portrayed is much more larger then the one on set, nad in the books the Iron Thrones gives off a sense of mellowness along wiht the feeling of dominance. In the following, George R.R. Martin himself explains how the Iron Throne should be portrayed:
"The HBO throne has become iconic. And well it might. It's a terrific design, and it has served the show very well. There are replicas and paperweights of it in three different sizes. Everyone knows it. I love it. I have all those replicas right here, sitting on my shelves.
And yet, and yet... it's still not right. It's not the Iron Throne I see when I'm working on THE WINDS OF WINTER. It's not the Iron Throne I want my readers to see. The way the throne is described in the books... HUGE, hulking, black and twisted, with the steep iron stairs in front, the high seat from which the king looks DOWN on everyone in the court... my throne is a hunched beast looming over the throne room, ugly and asymmetric...
The HBO throne is none of those things. It's big, yes, but not nearly as big as the one described in the novels. And for good reason. We have a huge throne room set in Belfast, but not nearly huge enough to hold the Iron Throne as I painted it. For that we'd need something much bigger, more like the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey, and no set has that much room. The Book Version of the Iron Throne would not even fit through the doors of the Paint Hall." -George R.R. Martin
When comparing the two thrones together you see the vast differences each interpretation gives off. The Iron Throne that HBO has portrayed is rather small and more organized when considering the condition of how the throne was built, however when compared next to the throne George R. R. Martin had originally wanted, his throne is much more larger and his interpretation of the throne was rather spontaneous of how the swords were placed to build the throne. As it is described in the books, it is made of over 1000 swords, incredible, imposing, and uncomfortable. Further, the throne also has a spirit of its own — it cuts up rulers who are unworthy. King Aerys (“The Mad King”) was often sliced as he ascended and sat on it, and the same is true of Joffrey.
HBO's interpretation
Author's interpretation
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