Oberyn Martell
| Oberyn Martell | |
|---|---|
| A Song of Ice and Fire character | |
 Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell | |
| First appearance |
Novel: A Storm of Swords (2000) Television: "Two Swords" (2014) |
| Last appearance |
Novel: A Storm of Swords (2000) Television: "The Mountain and the Viper" (2014) |
| Created by | George R. R. Martin |
| Portrayed by |
Pedro Pascal Game of Thrones |
| Information | |
| Aliases | The Red Viper of Dorne |
| Title | Prince |
| Family | House Martell |
| Children |
Obara Sand (daughter) Nymeria Sand (daughter) Tyene Sand (daughter) Sarella Sand (daughter) Elia Sand (daughter) Obella Sand (daughter) Dorea Sand (daughter) Loreza Sand (daughter) |
| Relatives |
Doran Martell (brother) Elia Martell (sister) |
| Kingdom | Dorne |
Oberyn Martell, nicknamed The Red Viper, is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin, and its television adaptation Game of Thrones.
Introduced in 2000's A Storm of Swords, Oberyn is the younger brother of Doran Martell, from the fictional kingdom of Westeros. He is subsequently mentioned in Martin's other novels.
Oberyn is portrayed by Pedro Pascal in the HBO television adaptation.[1][2][3]
Character description
Oberyn Martell is the youngest brother of Doran Martell. He is a hot-headed, forceful, and lustful man with a quick wit and a barbed tongue. He is a formidable fighter and is called the Red Viper because it is rumored he poisons his weapons. He has traveled the world, founded a mercenary company, and briefly studied at the Citadel, which trains Maesters. He has eight illegitimate daughters, collectively known as the Sand Snakes. He was very close to his older sister Elia, and seeks revenge for her death.
Overview
Oberyn Martell is not a point of view character in the novels, so his actions are witnessed and interpreted through the eyes of other people, such as Tyrion Lannister. Oberyn is mostly a background character in the novels.[4]
Reception
The Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal has received positive reviews for his role as Oberyn Martell in the tv-series.[5]
Storylines
A Game of Thrones
Oberyn is mentioned in A Game of Thrones (1996).
A Clash of Kings
Oberyn is mentioned in A Clash of Kings (1998).
A Storm of Swords
In A Storm of Swords, he goes to King's Landing to claim the seat on the small council on Prince Doran Martell's behalf and obtain justice for his sister Elia Martell's murderer, as was agreed with the acting Hand of the King, Tyrion Lannister. When Tyrion is accused of murdering King Joffrey Baratheon, Oberyn volunteers to champion for Tyrion in the trial by combat, but is killed in the contest by Ser Gregor Clegane.[6]
Later novels
Oberyn is mentioned a few times in the later novels.
Family tree of House Martell
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TV adaptation
Oberyn Martell is played by Pedro Pascal in the television adaption of the series of books.[7][8]
Storylines
In season 4, Oberyn arrives in King's Landing with his paramour, Ellaria Sand, to attend Joffrey's wedding in his brother's stead, and his meeting with Tyrion makes it clear that he has actually come to take revenge against the Lannisters for their role in the deaths of his sister, nephew and niece. At the wedding, Joffrey dies after being poisoned, and Tywin initially suspects Oberyn of having a hand in the murder since Oberyn has a past with poison chemistry, while Oberyn denies involvement and accuses Tywin of ordering Gregor Clegane to rape and murder Elia. The two reach a settlement when Tywin promises Oberyn a meeting with Clegane in exchange for Oberyn serving as one of the three judges at Tyrion's trial. At the trial, Oberyn implies that he is not convinced of Tyrion's guilt, and openly questions Cersei's testimony and asks Shae why Tyrion would tell her about all of his plans to murder Joffrey if he was the perpetrator.
When Tyrion demands a trial by combat and Gregor Clegane is chosen as Cersei's champion, Oberyn volunteers to fight for Tyrion, proclaiming that he will exact his vengeance, starting with Ser Gregor. Martell valiantly fights Clegane, his superior speed making up for Clegane's size, and manages to wound him in the shoulder and the leg, flooring him. Refusing to kill him immediately, Oberyn furiously demands that Clegane admit to raping and killing Elia and her children, and that the order came from Tywin himself. Distracted for a moment, Oberyn is floored by Clegane, who – in a manner self-admittedly paraphrasing the murder of Elia – knocks out his teeth, straddles him and slowly gouges out his eyes, admitting to the rape and murder of Elia before crushing his skull. Tyrion is subsequently sentenced to death, but Oberyn's objective of vengeance was not in vain, since his spear is revealed to have been laced with the deadly venom of the manticore, which is slowly killing Clegane.
References
- ↑ "Game of Thrones Cast and Crew: Oberyn Martell played by Pedro Pascal". HBO. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
- ↑ "The Official Website for the HBO Series Game of Thrones - Season 4". HBO.
- ↑ "From HBO".
- ↑ "Game of Thrones Viewer's Guide".
- ↑ "Oberyn Martell: 'Game of Thrones' actor talks". Rollingstone.
- ↑ "A Read of Ice and Fire: A Storm of Swords, Part 21". Tor.com.
- ↑ "'Game of Thrones' Oberyn Martell Cast". winteriscoming.
- ↑ "HBO: Game of Thrones: Interview With Pedro Pascal Season 4". HBO.
