Why Does Jace Take Such Abuse of Rhaenyra's Dragonseeds Scheme?
Rhaenyra's son Jace is not happy about her plan to claim dragons with Targaryen blood on bastards. Though Jace came up with the original idea, he now opposes it. Why the shift in opinion?
Why Does Jace See The Dragonseeds As Such a Threat?
Since Jace is the result of Rhaenyra's affair with Harwin Strong rather than her marriage to Laenor Velaryon, there has always been doubt about Jace's legitimacy as a Targaryen. His greatest claim to being a true Targaryen, and what distinguished him from other Targaryen bastards, was his ability to ride a dragon. But now that lowborn people with Targaryen ancestry are claiming dragons as well, Jace's ability to do the same is less significant. This calls into question his legitimacy and status as Rhaenyra's heir.
In What Way Does Jace's Response To The Dragonseeds Cause Issues For The War?
The dragonseeds may defect to the Greens, who are battling Rhaenyra for the Iron Throne, as a result of Jace's animosity toward them. Given that the dragonseeds have proven to be strong dragonriders, this would be a serious setback for Rhaenyra's army. Jace's pride and insecurity keep him from accepting these dragonriders, even though he knows how important they are.
Jace Resents His Dark Hair for What Reason?
Jace's dark hair serves as a continual reminder of his biological parents. That distinguishes him from the silver-haired Targaryens. Given that he might have had silver hair at birth, he harbors resentment toward his mother for pairing him with Harwin Strong. His fear of being labeled a bastard and his desire to be accepted as a true Targaryen are the root causes of this resentment.
In The Dance of the Dragons, what happens to Jace?
In the books, Jace's fate is tragically different. He is not Rhaenyra's heir apparent to the Iron Throne. He perishes in the bloody sea battle known as the Battle of the Gullet, which happens just before Rhaenyra seizes the Iron Throne. In an effort to defend his family and uphold his mother's right to the throne, he gives his life.
How Is Jon Snow's Story Different From Jace's?
Unlike Jon Snow, Jace's dark hair is a liability to his legitimacy. Robert Baratheon thought Jon was Ned Stark's bastard, so his black hair served as a shield from his wrath. Had Jon inherited the silver hair of the Targaryens, it would have been obvious who his real parents were, and he would have become a target. On the other hand, Jace's dark hair fed his insecurities and served as a continual reminder of his bastardy.
