Why Joffrey Felt Truly Afraid of Tywin and Never Attempted to Assassinate Him

In the world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, the character Joffrey Lannister embodies the dark side of power and control. Known for his abuse of authority and his tendency to bully those around him, Joffrey's life is characterized by a lack of parental attention, an empty core, and unearned validation. Interestingly, it is his grandfather, Tywin Lannister, who stands as a significant threat to Joffrey's delusions of grandeur, and it is this dynamic that prevents him from attempting to assassinate Tywin.

The Root Causes of Joffrey's Behavior

Joffrey's downfall can be traced back to his formative years, where a lack of parental attention and a troubled childhood played pivotal roles in shaping his behavior. He was denied the nurturing and guidance that most children receive, leading to a deep-seated need for external validation and a sense of importance.

Joffrey craved attention from his parents, particularly his father, Robert Baratheon. When Robert labeled Joffrey as a "weak little mama’s boy," it was a painfully accurate yet damaging assessment. This verbalization of Joffrey's perceived inadequacies was never spoken aloud, serving as a reminder of his status as an outcast within his own family.

Targets and Motivations

Before he could assert his power, Joffrey started by tormenting people who were easy targets, such as Sansa Stark. Sansa was a suitable victim due to her vulnerability and lack of support. Her tears provided Joffrey with a visceral reaction, while her familial ties to a distant kingdom made her easy to manipulate. However, this initial success was clouded by a memory of Joffrey being vulnerable to Arya Stark or Nymeria, the direwolf. This moment of weakness was a haunting reminder of his own fallibility, prompting him to double down on his cruelty towards Sansa to compensate.

Turning On His Mother, Cersei

As Joffrey's power grew, he began to turn on his mother, Cersei Lannister. Despite being his mother, Cersei's close relationship and visible breastfeeding of him created a complex dynamic. When Cersei tried to guide Joffrey towards making wise decisions, Joffrey's power and newfound authority allowed him to ignore her advice. Additionally, by leveraging his female caretakers' dependence on him, Joffrey further consolidated his control over the court. However, the rumors of his bastardy by the Lannisters took a toll on him, and he used this source of pain to hurt Cersei, to an extent.

The Impracticality of Targeting Tywin Lannister

Unlike Sansa, Cersei, and even Margaery Tyrell, Tywin Lannister represents an impossible target for Joffrey. While Joffrey can easily hurt and manipulate others, Tywin's influence within the Lannister family and the kingdom as a whole is unparalleled. Tywin's respect and influence are far beyond what Joffrey can exert.

Although Joffrey
Tywin could easily eliminate Joffrey if needed, he does not because Joffrey's role in leading the kingdom, especially in maintaining Lannister loyalists in power, is crucial. Joffrey's lack of direct military command (only Baratheon soldiers) and his dependence on Tywin’s wisdom and resources make him a vital part of the Lannister dynasty. Recognizing this, Joffrey understands that any action against Tywin could destabilize his position and undermine the Lannister legacy.

A Lack of Intimidation

Despite Joffrey's attempts to wield power, he remains intimidated by Tywin, which is an undertone of his behavior. Joffrey's inclination to seek validation and respect through terror is further undermined by Tywin's unyielding nature. Tywin's actions and decisions reflect a level of wisdom and authority that Joffrey cannot comprehend, leading him to fear the consequences of any attempt to assassinate his grandfather.

In conclusion, Joffrey's inability to harm Tywin stems from the latter's vital role in the Lannister family, his unwavering authority, and the respect and fear he instilled in Joffrey. The relationship between Joffrey and Tywin is complex, with Joffrey often needing Tywin's wisdom and support more than Tywin needs Joffrey's whimsical commands.