Who is the most manipulative character in Game of Thrones?

Margaery Tyrell would have to be my top choice for this one.

Over the duration of her presence on the show, she has managed to:

Become Renly Baratheon’s queen.

Become Joffrey Baratheon’s queen.

Charm Tommen, winning him over, once again becoming a queen. She got him to do practically whatever she wanted.

Charm the people of King’s Landing. They loved her.

Charm Sansa Stark.

Make the High Sparrow believe she was on his side, although she despised him, and secretly plotted to help her brother escape.

And she learnt from the only the best, Olenna Tyrell, of course!

Damn, I really was rooting for her. Her death was a real pity.

Runners-up: Petyr Baelish, Lord Varys, Tywin Lannister, Olenna Tyrell and Melisandre.

Love Mishra

Knows Nothing

69w ago

Varys . DOn't doubt it . Read the theory -

So I have been maintaining that Varys is playing the best game out of anyone. He conspired with Illyrio to get Daenerys married to Khal Drogo. Varys conspired with him to get her dragon eggs. Varys conspired with Jorah from the beginning. To me, a lot of her success is owed to Varys.

I was re-watching the trial of Tyrion after Joffrey's assassination, and I recalled a confused feeling I had not remembered since seeing the episode. Before the trial, and after the battle of Blackwater, Varys visited Tyrion and congratulated him. They actually spend a good deal of time developing their friendship. But when Varys is called to the stand to testify, what happens? He testifies against Tyrion.

He gives a damning analysis of Tyrion. And I wondered why he did that, since I heard it. I thought he was somehow doing this to protect himself, the way Bronn later refuses Tyrion's request to be his champion. I was somewhat content with that logic. But as I watched it last night I found new logic that served that scene greater purpose.

He wanted Tyrion to be found guilty. And why? He wanted to give him to Daenerys. He conspired with Jaime to free him. He organised his passage to Daenerys. And he got abducted by whom? Jorah Mormont. A person who conspired with Varys from the very beginning. Deliberate or no? Definitely convenient. I don't think anything accidentally happens to Varys. It's all part of the Spider's web.

"You aren't actually the king if you're just playing a game of chess."

Damn, son.

Varys has Shae in his pocket, this is how Shae comes back to testify as well.

As soon as Tyrion has served Varys' purpose in King's Landing (defeating Stannis) and he's healing from his wounds, Shae tries to convince him to come to Pentos to 'eat, drink, fuck, live' Who lives in Pentos? Illyrio...

Varys and Shae testified against Tyrion when he wouldnt go to Pentos of his own volition in order to make sure he couldn't stay in King's Landing to keep trying to play Westerosi politics.

Marc Bodnick

Game of Thrones addict & amateur expert

191w ago

The answers on this page do a good job of narrowing down the short list, which I think is: 

You could also include: Cersei Lannister and Tyrion Lannister, but they sometimes find themselves being out-maneuvered.

I'm confident that this is the short list. If I had to pick, I'd say that Tywin Lannister is thus far (early Season 4) the most effective manipulator, given his repeated political successes.

Avinash Joshi

If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.

191w ago

Most answers have covered the major ones. Here is a surprising one,

Samwell Tarly.

I know you will be surprised if you haven't read the books. Just wait for it on the show.