Yo, isn't this bytch supposed to notify you whenever someone quotes you?
Well duh, of course. Like I said Barristan is a great knight, but not a great person. I said I find him boring and hypocritical. I'm obviously judging him by current standards.
I understand that you disagree but the problem with the "those were just the times back then" mentality is that you could use them to justify a lot of things. Slavery for example. By your logic Dany should just send the slaves she freed in Yunkai, Astapor and Meereen back in chains. After all the place is called Slaver's Bay, it's been going on for thousands of years. But no, despite her faults, Dany recognized that slavery is inherently wrong.
You mentioned Ned Stark. I also have a big problem with him refusing Renly/Varys/Littlefinger's offers and basically challenging the Lannisters up front. He knew it would mean war. He knew thousands and thousands would die or have their lives ruined. Yet he didn't give a shyt, because he wanted to do 'the just and honorable' things.
I know we fundamentally disagree on this "those were the times" part so we might as well drop this particular point.
Based on the rigid set of values that make up Westerosi honor he did, no question. My problem is that Barristan selfishly only viewed it as an affront to his personal honor without regard of Jaime's problem. The dude was basically 16, and was forced to choose between his father and his honor/king. Barristan never had to make that type of choice.
.He was also dead when Arthur Dayne, Gerold Hightower and Oswell Whent made their last stand at the ToJ. So was Rhaegar. That didn't stop him. They could have surrenderd and asked for a pardon. They could have went across the Narrow Sea to join the Golden Company. But they chose honor and death. Barristan chose to serve under the man who killed his king, the man who he swore to protect. Isn't that dishonorable by Barristan's standards? Yes it was. Clearly Barristan himself had issues with his decision based on the quote I previously posted where he confesses to Dany.
Dude, he was an idealist. His POVs in ASOS show this. Yes, he joined so he could continue fukking his sister. He also loved her. Is love not idealistic? He also was in love with knighthood and chivalry, based on him idolizing Arthur Dayne and the Blackfish. Jaime at 16 was basically the male version of Sansa. He even lacked political acumen just like her, based on him failing the recognize that the only reason Aerys made him a Kingsguard was to rob Tywin of his heir.
I'm not sure I understand this part...
See above. Barristan felt like shyt when he confessed to Daenerys in ASOS about serving under the 'usurper'.
So automatically I'm going against the grain just because I have issues with him?
Bronn is a master troll.
