How Joffrey Baratheon Would React to Seeing a Wight

Upon seeing a wight charging at him, Joffrey Baratheon from A Song of Ice and Fire would likely exhibit a mixture of fear and arrogance. Given his character traits—prideful, cruel, and often impulsive—his initial reaction would likely be one of bravado, attempting to assert his authority and commanding others to handle the threat. However, as he realizes the true danger, his fear might override his bravado, revealing his true nature.

Initial Reactions and Panic

In a moment of crisis, Joffrey might attempt to flee or hide, revealing his cowardice. His sense of entitlement and belief in his invincibility would clash with the reality of the supernatural threat, leading to a chaotic and potentially humiliating situation. His panicked behavior would underscore his character: a ruler more concerned with his image than with genuine courage or leadership.

How Joffrey Would React in Detail

Admittedly, Joffrey would not be a formidable adversary against a wight. He would wet himself, shriek in wide-eyed terror, and knock over his own chair in a frenzy, scrambling to put someone, even his mother, between himself and the wight.

As soon as he realized the wight was chained, he would shrug the collar of his shirt straight and pull down his cuffs with a regal air. He would then stalk to a respectful distance and peer at the faces around him, ensuring everyone was transfixed with fear. This moment of humiliation would fill him with rage, and with a trembling voice, he would command someone to bring him his crossbow.

Unsupported by Reality

Knowing the bolts from his crossbow would be ineffective, one of the wight's keepers would quietly suggest, "Your sword perhaps, Your Grace." Joffrey would look at the one he had commanded and nod tightly, retrieving Widow's Wail, the Valyrian steel sword he inherited from his father, Rhaegar Targaryen.

With the sword in his hands, Joffrey would cautiously move up to the wight, unable to back away. Taking the sword with both hands, he would lunge forward, and the Valyrian steel would cause the wight to drop lifelessly, a "dead thing" now truly dead. As the moment passed, Joffrey would approach the fallen wight cautiously, perhaps having forgotten the wet spot at the lower front of his trousers. Cersei would put her hand on her brow and sigh silently, perhaps feeling a mix of relief and disappointment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Joffrey's reaction to a wight would demonstrate his character's flaws: a man more concerned with his image than with genuine courage or leadership. His cowardice, arrogance, and impulsive actions would be evident in the way he handles the threat, ultimately leading to a moment of humiliation and the symbolic end of the wight.