Young Aegon “Egg” Targaryen has had fans’ respect from the get-go. Despite being a Targaryen prince, his choice to live with Dunk as his squire and a stable boy reflects the kind of grounded person he is. At such a tender age, the boy has seen enough hardships and politics in his life. However, despite having every reason to be bitter, he chooses empathy instead.
Actor Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays Egg, explained the reason behind Egg’s optimism in a recent interview with Vulture.
Quick read:
• Egg’s family trauma makes him naturally empathetic
• Choosing Dunk’s companionship helps him become a better person
• His optimistic thoughts shape him as an ideal future ruler
Credits: HBO
Dexter Sol Ansell’s insight into Egg’s heart
Ansell gave a beautiful breakdown of his character in the words:
“Because so many people were mean to him. Aerion was absolutely vile to him. All these people are so cruel. He knows how that feels, and he wouldn’t want anyone else to feel that way. He’s felt so much pain. That’s why he tries so hard to make sure everyone is okay. He wants to welcome everyone and be kind to everyone so they don’t have the same experience he did.”
This is the core of Egg’s character. The cruelty he endures, especially from his brother Aerion hasn’t hardened him into the typical Targaryen mold. Instead, it becomes the very reason he refuses to pass that pain on to others. Egg grows up surrounded by a family that wields power through fear and dominance. Aerion’s abuse, the cold distance from his father Maekar, and the casual cruelty of court life could have turned him into just another dragonlord. But Egg does the opposite.
He watches how cruelty destroys people and becomes naturally empathetic. That’s why he bonds so deeply with Dunk, a low-born hedge knight who shows him genuine honour and warmth. It’s why he defends the weak, why he cries when he almost kills Aerion, and why he dreams of a better Westeros even as a child. This choice to turn pain into kindness is exactly what makes Egg grow into King Aegon V; the ruler known as “Aegon the Unlikely” who fought for the smallfolk and tried to reform the realm.
