“Tyrion’s Courtroom Speech from The Laws of Gods and Men”

Game of Thrones
Story Living Script of Karl Wyndyll M. Lamban

Oral Communication Adviser: Reschell Ann Bayo

Lord Tyrion Lannister is the youngest child of Lord Tywin Lannister and younger

brother of Queen Cersei and Ser Jaime Lannister. A dwarf, he uses his wit and intellect to
overcome the prejudice he faces.

Have you ever wondered why I read so much? Look at me and tell me what you see.

What you see is a dwarf. If I'd been born a peasant they might've left me out in the
woods to die. Alas, I was born a Lannister of Casterly Rock. Things are expected of
me. My father was the Hand of the King for 20 years.

Yes, until my brother killed him. Life is full of these little ironies. My sister married
the new King and my repulsive nephew will be King after him. I must do my part for
the honor of my house, wouldn't you agree? But how? Well, my brother has his
sword and I have my mind. And a mind needs books like a sword needs a
whetstone. That's why I read so much. And you? What's your story, bastard?

His abduction by Catelyn Stark for a crime he did not commit served as one of the catalysts of
the War of the Five Kings. After escaping his captors, Tyrion was appointed by his father as
acting Hand of the King to Joffrey Baratheon and successfully defended King's
Landing against Stannis Baratheon at the Battle of the Blackwater, after which he was stripped of his
power, demoted to Master of Coin, and eventually framed for Joffrey's murder. After his
champion, Oberyn Martell, dies in Tyrion's trial by combat, Tyrion flees to Essos, with help from
Jaime and Varys, after murdering his father.

We’ll start this play on the ninth episode of the second season of Game of Thrones
when Stannis plans a naval assault aiming to overcome the city's small defensive fleet and
land his troops at the walls of the city near the Mud Gate, unaware of Tyrion's plan. From the
battlements, Joffrey berates Tyrion, demanding to know why his ships are not meeting
Stannis's fleet. Tyrion has anticipated his strategy and does not field his fleet. Instead he
sends a single ship filled with Wildfire into the heart of Stannis's fleet, leaking the volatile
substance over the surface of the water. Bronn has been awaiting Tyrion's signal outside the
city on the shores of the bay, and when Tyrion tosses a torch from the battlements, Bronn
fires a flaming arrow triggering a massive, massive aquatic explosion. The ensuing
conflagration devastates Stannis's fleet and destroys the ship of his high captain, Davos
Seaworth, as well as killing Davos's son, Matthos.

TYRION: If you won't defend your own city, why should they?

TYRION: Lead. Get down there and lead your people against the invaders who want to kill
them.

TYRION: I'll lead the attack. I'll lead the attack!

TYRION: Pod, my helmet. Ser Mandon, you will bear the king's banner. Men, form up. Men
Men! They say I'm half a man. But what does that make the lot of you?

TYRION: There's another way out. I'm going to show you. We'll come out behind them and
fuck them in their arses.

TYRION: Don't fight for your king and don't fight for his kingdoms. Don't fight for honor. Don't
fight for glory. Don't fight for riches, because you won't get any. This is your city Stannis
means to sack. That's your gate he's ramming. If he gets in, it will be your houses he burns,
your gold he steals, your women he will rape.

TYRION: Those are brave men knocking at our door. Let's go kill them.

The Lannister forces raise their swords and shout in support. TYRION strides off, and they follow.

After the Blackwater Bay Battle, a Purple Wedding was an event in the War of the Five
Kings that lead to the death of King Joffrey Baratheon at the wedding feast to his new
queen, Margaery Tyrell. I was accused for poisoning my nephew and been trialled by my
father, Tywin Lannister.

Tyrion turns his gaze to his father, who has just retaken his seat on the Iron Throne. They lock eyes
for a moment. Tywin, of course, betrays nothing.

The crowd quiets down as the other judges take their seats.

TYWIN: The Crown may call its next witness.

Tyrion turns in the direction of the approaching footsteps. He stands in speechless shock when he
sees the next witness enter the throne room:

SHAE. Dressed in a modest frock, quite different from her sexy handmaiden duds, her face stoic.

Tyrion speaks quietly, for her alone, begging her with his look to stop.
TYRION: Shae. Please. Don't.

She turns to speak to him directly for the last time. For a single moment it's just the two of them. The
hundreds of spectators, the judges, Tywin himself: none of them are here.

SHAE: I'm a whore. Remember.

Tyrion can only stare at her as she turns back.

SHAE: That was before he married Sansa.

(beat)

After that, all he wanted was her. But she wouldn't let him into her bed. So he promised to kill King
Joffrey for her.

Chatter from the crowd. Beat.

TYRION: Father, I wish to confess! (shouting over the crowd) I wish to confess.

The crowd chatter dies down.

Tywin regards Tyrion for a beat. Tyrion looks up at the three judges.

TYWIN: You wish to confess?

Tyrion gazes out at the crowd, who are taking such pleasure in his destruction.

TYRION (to the crowd): I saved you. I saved this city and all your worthless lives. I should
have let Stannis kill you all—

TYWIN: Tyrion. Do you wish to confess?

Tyrion turns to face Tywin.

TYRION: Yes, father. I'm guilty. Guilty. Is that what you want to hear?

TYWIN: You admit you poisoned the King?

TYRION: No, of that I'm innocent. I am guilty of a far more monstrous crime. I am guilty of
being a dwarf.

TYWIN: You are not on trial for being a dwarf.

TYRION: Oh, yes I am. I've been on trial for that my entire life.

TYWIN: Have you nothing to say in your defense?

TYRION: Nothing but this: I did not do it.

He turns from his father to Cersei.

TYRION: I did not kill Joffrey but I wish that I had. Watching your vicious bastard die gave me
more relief than a thousand lying whores.

Cersei has never hated Tyrion more than in this moment.

Tyrion turns from her and looks out at the crowd of nobles.

TYRION: I wish I was the monster you think I am. I wish I had enough poison for the whole
pack of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it.

Uproar from the crowd Killer! Kingslayer! Monster!

TYWIN (shouting over the crowd, to Meryn Trant): Ser Meryn, escort the prisoner back to his cell—

TYRION: I will not give my life for Joffrey's murder. And I know I'll get no justice here , so I will
let the gods decide my fate. (beat)
I demand a trial by combat!

The roar of the crowd is deafening.

Jaime shuts his eyes. Any hope of saving Tyrion is gone.

Cersei smiles, triumphant at having pushed him too far.

Oberyn Martell leans forward, intrigued.

As for Tywin: he stares straight ahead, in dark hatred, at his youngest son.

And Tyrion Lannister, defiant, stares right back.