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I just started reading Game of Thrones. I’m probably not more than an hour (audiobook) into the story, but I was struck by a life lesson that one of the Lords bestows upon his son.
The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword.
He goes on to explain that when a leader hides behind an executioner, he forgets what death looks like. He should have to see the man’s eyes and hear his last words. If he does not have the stomach for it, then maybe the man does not deserve to die.
It makes me think of the death penalty. The people passing judgement are not the ones swinging the ax. I’m not even sure how we execute people. Is there a person involved? Could you be on a jury if the death penalty was on the table? What if you had to end that life with your own hands? Just some of the food for thought in the early chapters of Game of Thrones.
-Eliabeth Hawthorne
Ermilia 
As soon as I read Game of Thrones – I jumped – I have watched the 1st and 2nd series of this show, the 3rd is now out – totally addicted. I believe executing is done by lethal injection (there are probably other forms – but this one I know about). We do not have the death penalty in Australia – we should. Our judicial system is ‘lack lustre’ at best, those that commit serious offences are imprisoned for a few short years and are out on parole within months. To answer you question yes, though it would be difficult having the outcome of someone’s life in your hands – I could sit on a murder jury… I believe an eye for an eye, as in the ‘olden days’ should it be so now. Being the one who ended the life? If the accused had done something to my family or friends – I think I could do this (of course easier saying than actually doing). Enjoy G.O.T Elizabeth.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I switched over to Little Women for a little while because I’ve had an overload of graphic and sexual material for a little bit but I’ll be posting a full review before long.
We haven’t executed anyone in Ireland in I think at least fifty years. But my understanding was that the executioner was separate from the judge so that it would symbolise that the justice is being administered impartially. not by an individual but by an agent of the state. BTW our last hangman was parttime. He had a pub in England and would take the boat over for a ‘job’usually only around for a few hours!
I dunno about it being impartial. Even though I understand the concept, it makes me think back to Matched. Jump because someone says jump, do what you’re told without always understanding why. Chop someone’s head off because the judge said so. Just stirring up trouble 😉
I agree with Marie; your thoughts should stay. I didn’t comment on this post because… well, partly because I’ve never watched Game of Thrones, but mostly because I thought the two of you had done a very good job of expressing both sides of the turmoil I feel.
I wonder if there is any such thing as “senseless” death. I asked recently if the “tragedy” in death is rhetorical, uttered merely for the sake of effective communication. We all die, and the only thing I see that truly matters is how we spend the years we get, so it seems to me if there is tragedy, then the tragedy is not in dying, but rather in not living. I don’t know if that helps with the memories or not.
tehe. My bad.
Comments have been removed at the request of the author. Replies to the comments have been removed in order to keep a cohesive discussion rather only removing one side. I’m sorry to delete to many comments, and may have deleted more than was requested, but want to keep this blog a forum for discussion where all feel comfortable.
Though I love a good debate, please remember to be polite and courteous of the other readers who may not share your opinion.
*sigh*
Ermisenda was just saying y’all seemed to have worked it out by the end. I just saw the request to delete the comment and went delete happy. I’m all for debate, but I don’t want anyone so upset that they don’t return so I honored her original request.
You could not be more correct…I wrote a post on my own reflections of that quote, and I was afraid I was the only person who actually thought about this – it’s never occurred to anyone I know who has read A Song of Ice and Fire. I’m glad to know that I am not alone.
Lux