The Feather of Tribute: Robert Baratheon's Honor to Lyanna Stark in Game of Thrones

In the renowned fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, and its Television adaptation Game of Thrones, Robert Baratheon places a feather in Lyanna Stark's hands during her funeral, symbolizing his enduring love and the loss he feels. This act holds significant meaning and provides a deeper insight into Robert's character and the story's intricate plot development.

The Feather's Significance

The feather, chosen by the creators of Game of Thrones as an additional Easter egg, serves multiple purposes in the narrative. It is a symbol of Robert's enduring love for Lyanna, even after her tragic fate and his subsequent marriage to Cersei Lannister. The act of placing the feather underscores his reverence and respect for Lyanna, acknowledging her importance in his life and the deep sense of loss he feels.

Symbol of Love

The feather represents a reminder of Robert's unresolved feelings and his enduring affection for Lyanna. This small act of placing a feather in her hands is a personal gesture, a way for Robert to honor his deceased lover and keep her memory alive. It signifies that despite the years that have passed and the twists in his life, Robert's love for Lyanna remains untouched.

Memory and Mourning

By placing the feather, Robert acknowledges Lyanna's significance in his life and the profound impact her loss had on him. It serves as a form of mourning, a way to remember her and respect her memory. The gesture also highlights the complex emotions Robert experiences, a mix of love, loss, and unresolved grief. This act is a poignant reminder of the turmoil and pain that Robert endures, a byproduct of his inability to let go of his feelings for Lyanna.

Foreshadowing

The feather can also be seen as a foreshadowing element in the story. It hints at the secrets and complexities surrounding Lyanna's fate, suggesting that the truth about her disappearance and death goes beyond what is initially revealed. The feather serves as a subtle clue to the audience, hinting at the eventual resolve of the mysteries that will unfold later in the series. This foreshadowing adds to the intrigue and depth of the narrative, keeping viewers engaged and curious about the story's progression.

The Feather in the Show vs. the Books

It is important to note that the act of placing a feather in Lyanna's hands does not occur in the original books by George R.R. Martin. Instead, in the equivalent scene in the show, Robert only touches the cheek of a statue without leaving anything behind. Eddard Stark mentions that Robert sometimes brings Lyanna flowers during their visits to her tomb.

Audiences who delved into the books and the show’s differences might find that the feather significance was added to the series as an Easter egg. According to the Game of Thrones wikia, there is a suggestion that as part of their romance, Robert would bring Lyanna feathers from an exotic southern bird. During one of these visits, he is said to have placed one in the hand of her statue. This narrative detail, however, is not present in the book version of the series. Further, David Benioff mentioned this during the DVD commentary for the pilot episode, though it remains unverified.

Symbolism of the Feather

The feather placed by Robert in the show can also be interpreted as evoking the imagery of the feather of truth Ma'at from Egyptian mythology, a symbol of justice, truth, and balance. This interpretation adds another layer of symbolism, enhancing the rich tapestry of the story's themes.

The significance of the feather, as it is, has emerged in the show's narrative beyond the initial burial scene. It is referenced again in Season 5 Episode 4, Sons of the Harpy when Sansa Stark picks it up. Later, in the Season 8 teaser, the feather is seen on the ground in the Crypts of Winterfell, with frost forming around it, suggesting the enduring nature of their unresolved story.

In Conclusion

The feather placed by Robert Baratheon in Lyanna Stark's hands during her funeral serves as a powerful symbol of his enduring love, memory, and mourning. It adds depth to his character and hints at the complexities of the story, making it a significant element in the narrative. While the feather is an Easter egg in the series, its significance and the emotions it evokes remain a testament to the rich storytelling of Game of Thrones.