'Game of Thrones': The Lessons I've Learned from the Characters I Love

The final season of Game of Thrones is nearing its untimely end, and after eight long years, most fans are struggling with their goodbyes. However, this show has affected some people so greatly that it will always be a part of their lives, and I am lucky enough to be one of those people. No matter what, I will always carry the life lesson I learned from my favorite Game of Thrones characters with me, and I would like to share with you just exactly what those lessons are.

Jon Snow

There are hundreds of Game of Thrones themed drinking games, but perhaps the fastest way to get drunk is to take a shot every time Jon Snow says, "I'm just a bastard." Jon has never been proud. He has never asked for any position of power, and yet he has been Lord Commander of The Night's Watch, The King in the North, and is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

Instead of asking for positions that he has earned, Jon just earned them. He stayed honorable and unwavering, and that is why so many people are willing to follow him, even if it isn't the smartest option available.

Jon Snow's humble, brave, and loyal demeanor is something that I will always try to embody in my own personality. No boasting (despite staring down an entire army by yourself), no bragging, and no begging. I will always work honestly and stay humble, and that is entirely thanks to Jon Snow.

Samwell Tarly

While I did learn a great deal about bravery from Jon Snow, the bravest Game of Thrones character is hands down Samwell Tarly. Sam has no fighting experience, he is far from athletically inclined, and he has always been a bit of a loser. However, this same man killed a White Walker, saved his lover Gilly from her abusive father/husband, and has survived multiple battles that even the best fighters in Westeros fell to, all armed with nothing except his wit and golden heart alone.

There is no one braver than Sam Tarly, and his accolades can prove that. Sure, there are better fighters to have beside you in a sword fight, but if I had to choose one person to have my back when the night is darkest, Sam would be my first and only selection.

Sansa Stark

Over the course of Game of Thrones' nine year run, it seems like every Stark child has essentially become a superhero. Arya went to Bravos and became a Faceless Man, Bran became the Three-Eyed Raven thanks to his six season long journey, and Jon has amassed so many titles and so much battle experience that he could be considered the most dangerous man in Westeros.

However, what does Sansa have? It seems like she has gained nothing but years of turmoil and bad memories, and that is the very thing that makes her dangerous. Sansa doesn't seem like much, but her wit and cunning can be matched by no other.

Sam Tarly and a handful of other characters may be smarter than her, but no one will ever be able to out-tact Sansa Stark. She learned from Littlefinger, she learned from Ramsay, and she learned from Joffrey. No one will ever take advantage of her again, and her perseverance has taught me that no matter what I go through, I can always use it as a lesson for the future.

The Hound

Believe it or not, Sandor Clegane is hands down my favorite Game of Thrones character. Why, you may ask? You're always going to know where you stand with The Hound. He says what he thinks, he's going to call you a lot of nasty words, and he may even cut your head off over some chickens. I admire that.

Something else I admire about Sandor is the path that he has chosen for himself. He does whatever he wants, and in a world of Night Kings, Iron Thrones, and Dragon Queens, he holds loyalty to himself. Whatever keeps Sandor alive is what Sandor will do. Loyalty is an amazing virtue to possess, but sometimes it's perfectly fine to do something for yourself.

The Hound has taught me about this in spades. Sometimes you have to say, "Fuck the king," and do whatever is best for you. Fight the undead army, take Arya to The Veil, kill your brother, whatever makes you happy! While Clegane is far from perfect, under all of those scars and the rough demeanor lies a giant teddy bear. It's a teddy bear that does whatever it wants, and may very well maul you to death, but it's a teddy bear nonetheless.

Theon Greyjoy

Theon Greyjoy is perhaps the most intricate character to have ever appeared on the show, and his journey has become one of the greatest redemption stories that could ever be written. Over the course of eight seasons, Theon has gone from a pompous ladies' man, to back-stabbing murderer, and even a eunuch coward named Reek. However, being perhaps the only character to stay true to his arch throughout all eight seasons, Theon ended up being a loyal friend to all of those who put trust in him.

Even Bran himself, who has no feelings and could care less about a sentimental ending, called Theon a "good man" due to his final moments spent protecting him from the Night King in vain. Despite all of the different colors Theon has worn over the years, he will always be remembered as a good man, and that has shown me that it is never too late to redeem yourself. No matter how far you have gone in the wrong direction, it is never too late to find a way back.

What lessons have you learned from Game of Thrones? Let me know!