Ben Carter
In the Season 5 finale of *Game of Thrones*, Sansa Stark attempts to signal for help from Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne by lighting a candle in the Broken Tower. However, Theon Greyjoy, under the alias Reek, betrays Sansa's plan to Ramsay Bolton, who subsequently flays and kills an old woman complicit in the escape plan. Theon's motivations are disputed, with some speculating that he was driven by fear of Ramsay, while others suggest he was attempting to save Sansa from a doomed escape attempt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Theon tell Ramsay about the candle? | Yes |
| Theon's motivation for telling Ramsay | To save Sansa from herself, as Ramsay would do much worse if she got further in her escape plan |
| Theon's persona | Reek |
| Theon's mental state | Theon had been on the receiving end of Ramsay's brutality and was terrified to assist Sansa |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Theon's motivations
Theon Greyjoy's motivations for telling Ramsay about Sansa's plan to light a candle in the tower to signal for help are complex and driven by a mix of fear and a desire for redemption.
Theon had been subjected to Ramsay's brutality and torture for a long time, which caused him to develop a 'Reek' persona, a result of years of brainwashing and emotional manipulation. Theon was terrified of Ramsay and feared that any attempt to rebel or escape would result in even crueler punishments. This fear was Theon's strongest motivator, influencing many of his actions and decisions.
However, Theon's relationship with Sansa and witnessing her suffering slowly brought him out of his 'Reek' persona and insanity. Theon began to see Sansa as a chance for redemption, especially after he was forced to watch Ramsay rape her. Theon's anger and guilt grew, and he took small risks, such as telling Sansa about Bran and Rickon, which was an act of defiance against Ramsay.
When Sansa asked Theon to light the candle, he was faced with a difficult choice. On one hand, he wanted to help Sansa and redeem himself, but on the other hand, he was scared of what Ramsay would do if he found out. Theon's fear of Ramsay's wrath and the belief that Ramsay was always one step ahead led him to ultimately betray Sansa's trust and confess her plan to Ramsay.
The Homesick Candle: Does It Smell Like Southern California?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sansa's distress signal
Sansa Stark, a young noblewoman from the North, finds herself in a dire situation during the fifth season of *Game of Thrones*. She is held captive by Ramsay Bolton, who forces himself upon her. Sansa's childhood friend Theon Greyjoy, now a broken man after enduring Ramsay's torture, is forced to watch the horrific act.
Sansa, desperate for a way out, remembers the words of an old woman who approached her earlier. The woman told her that her family still had friends in the North and that if she ever lit a candle in the Broken Tower, help would come. Sansa, seeking a way to signal for help, pleads with Theon to light the candle. However, Theon, still terrified of Ramsay, refuses.
Despite Theon's refusal, Sansa eventually succeeds in breaking out of her room and lighting the candle herself. This act of defiance serves as a distress signal to her allies, Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne. Unfortunately, they are unaware of the signal and are not able to come to her aid immediately.
Theon, witnessing Sansa's bravery and determination, experiences a shift in his loyalty. He remembers his friendship with Sansa and the Starks, and the weight of his betrayal haunts him. Theon makes a pivotal choice to protect Sansa when she is threatened by Ramsay's mistress, Myranda. He kills Myranda, rescuing Sansa from imminent danger. This act marks the beginning of Theon's redemption arc, as he and Sansa escape Ramsay's wrath together.
Theon's decision to ultimately side with Sansa and against Ramsay highlights the complexity of his character. While he initially betrayed Sansa's trust by reporting her plan to Ramsay, the distress signal serves as a catalyst for his transformation. It awakens his sense of loyalty and courage, setting him on a path to redemption and a chance to make amends for his past actions.
Floating Tealights: Water-Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Myranda's influence
Myranda was a servant of House Bolton of the Dreadfort and Ramsay Bolton's lover. She was the daughter of the castle's kennelmaster, Ben Bones. Unlike other members of the Bolton household, she wasn't afraid of Ramsay and actively participated in his acts of torture.
Myranda was jealous of Ramsay's betrothed, Sansa, and threatened to mutilate her. She was sent by Ramsay to draw Sansa's bath and advised her not to let Ramsay get bored of her, telling her about the fates of other women. She also threatened to kill Sansa.
Myranda and another girl, Violet, tortured Theon by seducing him and then allowing Ramsay to castrate him. This incident had a lasting impact on Theon, who, when confronted by Myranda and Sansa in the tower, pushed Myranda off the catwalk to her death, rescuing Sansa.
LED Candle Bulbs: The Perfect Ambiance for Your Home
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The candle plan
Theon Greyjoy, who had been reduced to the persona of Reek through Ramsay's torture, was forced to watch Ramsay rape Sansa. Sansa, recognising that Theon was still alive inside Reek, asked him to light the candle for her. Initially, Theon refused, but eventually, he went to Ramsay and confessed Sansa's request. Ramsay then flayed and killed the old woman who had told Sansa about the candle plan.
Theon's motivations for telling Ramsay about the candle plan are debated. Some sources suggest that Theon told Ramsay to save Sansa from herself, as Ramsay would do much worse to her if she got any further in her escape plan. Others argue that Theon was too terrified of Ramsay to assist Sansa and only snapped out of his Reek persona when Myranda threatened Sansa.
After Theon told Ramsay about the candle, he began to assist Sansa in earnest. He risked Ramsay's wrath by telling Sansa about Bran and Rickon and later helped her escape. When Sansa finally lit the candle, she was confronted by Theon and Myranda. Theon, remembering Myranda's role in his castration, pushed her off the catwalk to her death. He then fled with Sansa, jumping from the parapet to the snow below.
Volcano Candles: Toxic or Safe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Theon's redemption
Theon Greyjoy's redemption arc in Game of Thrones is one of the most compelling storylines in the show. After suffering years of torture, brainwashing, and emotional manipulation at the hands of Ramsay Bolton, Theon finally finds his way back to himself and redemption through his relationship with Sansa Stark.
However, Theon's loyalty to Ramsay begins to wane as he slowly regains his sense of self. He risks Ramsay's wrath by telling Sansa about Bran and Rickon Stark, and he is visibly horrified when he is forced to watch Ramsay rape Sansa. When Sansa finally succeeds in lighting the candle and is confronted by Myranda, who threatens to maim her, Theon's memories of his own castration at Myranda's hands are too much to bear. He pushes Myranda to her death, reverts to his true identity as Theon Greyjoy, and helps Sansa escape Ramsay's wrath.
With no other choice and aware of Ramsay's pursuit, Theon and Sansa jump from a parapet into the snow below. They cross a river and take shelter but are tracked by Ramsay's hounds. Theon and Sansa's relationship, built on shared trauma and a desire for freedom, cements Theon's redemption. He has finally broken free of Ramsay's control and chosen to protect and aid Sansa, even at great personal risk.
Aldi's Candle Collection: What's Available and Worth Buying?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Theon did tell Ramsay about the candle. Theon was forced to watch Ramsay rape Sansa and later reported to Ramsay when Sansa asked him to light a candle in the tower.
Theon was still terrified of Ramsay at this point in the story and was too scared to assist Sansa. Theon's strongest motivators are terror and the belief that everything is a trap.
No, it seems that Theon was the one to tell Ramsay about the candle. Ramsay flayed and killed an old woman who had told Sansa about the candle plot, but she died before revealing any details.
Ramsay flayed and killed the old woman who had told Sansa about the candle plot. He also confronted Sansa, asking her why she would want to leave. Later, when Sansa finally lit the candle, she was confronted by Reek and Myranda.
