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It is oft reported that the wildly popular TV show Game of Thrones is based on the historical War of Roses which took place in medieval England. But it’s not entirely impossible that author George R. R. Martin drew his inspiration from influential figures from all over the world.
Here’s some irrefutable proof reasons why Tywin Lannister – until recently the most influential man in the Seven Kingdoms – was possibly based on Singapore’s very own founding father.
1. Both were extremely practical leaders
Tywin Lannister: During one particular rebellion, Tywin Lannister didn’t take sides until a clear winner had emerged even though he was supposed to defend the incumbent monarchy.
In his eyes, idealism and loyalty paled in comparison to survival.
Now, that’s practical.
LKY: Singapore’s founding father never sat on a fence during a rebellion, but he was extremely practical when dealing various of issues.
No holds barred freedom of speech? Not practical. Not for Singapore.
Can everyone be equal? Equality is an aspiration, not a reality.
We’re Asian country? Doesn’t mean we can’t use English.
2. Both loved their wives dearly
Tywin Lannister: Married Joanna Lannister, who became his trusted counselor and companion. She passed away after giving birth to their last son, Tyrion Lannister. Tywin never remarried.
How her death affected him:
“With her death, Grand Maester Pycelle observes, the joy went out of Tywin Lannister, yet still he persisted in his duty.”
LKY: Married Kwa Geok Choo, a woman who was his best friend and closest confidante. Lee never remarried.
How her death affected him:
“I can’t break down. Life has got to go on. I try to busy myself, but from time to time in idle moments, my mind goes back to the happy days when we were up and about together.”
3. Both had three children: two sons, and one daughter
Tywin: Jaime Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister
LKY: Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Hsien Yang, Lee Wei Ling.
No other similarity between the children has been observed.
4. Tywin Lannister served four kings, Lee Kuan Yew served four presidents
Tywin: Aerys II Targaryen, Robert Baratheon, Joffrey Baratheon, Tommen Baratheon
LKY: Yusof Ishak, Benjamin Sheares, Devan Nair, Wee Kim Wee
Coincidence? No, there is only the illusion of coincidence.
5. Both never became Head of State
Singapore’s head of state is the president. Westeros’ head of state would be the king.
Tywin: Highest position attained: Hand of the King and Lord of Casterly Rock
LKY: Highest position attained: Prime Minister of Singapore and MP of Tanjong Pagar GRC
6. Both were ruthless when it came to politics
Tywin Lannister: Used the Lannister Army to crush an uprising in Westeros that involved vassals House Reyne and House Tarbeck. Nobody survived.
LKY: Sued Chee Soon Juan and J. B Jeyaretnam for defamation. This led to both of them to be declared bankrupt and unable to stand for General Elections (GE).
And well, he also said this:
“If you are a troublemaker… it’s our job to politically destroy you… Everybody knows that in my bag I have a hatchet, and a very sharp one. You take me on, I take my hatchet, we meet in the cul-de-sac.”
And this:
“Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle-dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no way you can govern a Chinese society.”
7. Both were credited in leading their nations in attaining massive growth
Tywin: Restored a fading power into the most powerful kingdom in Westeros. People have went to the extent to exaggerate that Tywin Lannister ‘shits gold.’
LKY: Prevented a British port with no natural resources from fading into obscurity. People have went to the extent to exaggerate that LKY transformed Singapore from a ‘fishing village to a 1st world city.’
8. They have suspiciously similar quotes
Tywin: “A lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinion of a sheep.”
LKY: “I have never been [overly] concerned or obsessed with opinion polls or popularity polls. I think a leader who is, is a weak leader.”
Tywin: “When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire.”
LKY: “Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle-dusters.”
9. Both of their nations used lions as a national symbol
To quote a certain NDP song: “We will stand together, hear the lion roar”
House Lannister’s words: “Hear me roar.”
10. Both fought kings in the north. (Or in LKY’s case, a Tunku in the North)
Tywin: Fought King in the North, Robb Stark, who didn’t want to be part of the Seven Kingdoms.
LKY: Went toe-to-toe with the Tunku in the North, Tunku Abdul Rahman, as Lee advocated for a “Malaysian Malaysia”.
11. LKY stepped down as Prime Minister in 1990…
And George R.R Martin started writing A Song of Fire and Ice, which Game of Thrones is based on, just one year later in 1991.
http://mothership.sg/2015/06/11-reasons-why-game-of-thrones-tywin-lannister-was-inspired-by-lky/
Here’s some irrefutable proof reasons why Tywin Lannister – until recently the most influential man in the Seven Kingdoms – was possibly based on Singapore’s very own founding father.
1. Both were extremely practical leaders
Tywin Lannister: During one particular rebellion, Tywin Lannister didn’t take sides until a clear winner had emerged even though he was supposed to defend the incumbent monarchy.
In his eyes, idealism and loyalty paled in comparison to survival.
Now, that’s practical.
LKY: Singapore’s founding father never sat on a fence during a rebellion, but he was extremely practical when dealing various of issues.
No holds barred freedom of speech? Not practical. Not for Singapore.
Can everyone be equal? Equality is an aspiration, not a reality.
We’re Asian country? Doesn’t mean we can’t use English.
2. Both loved their wives dearly
Tywin Lannister: Married Joanna Lannister, who became his trusted counselor and companion. She passed away after giving birth to their last son, Tyrion Lannister. Tywin never remarried.
How her death affected him:
“With her death, Grand Maester Pycelle observes, the joy went out of Tywin Lannister, yet still he persisted in his duty.”
LKY: Married Kwa Geok Choo, a woman who was his best friend and closest confidante. Lee never remarried.
How her death affected him:
“I can’t break down. Life has got to go on. I try to busy myself, but from time to time in idle moments, my mind goes back to the happy days when we were up and about together.”
3. Both had three children: two sons, and one daughter
Tywin: Jaime Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister
LKY: Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Hsien Yang, Lee Wei Ling.
No other similarity between the children has been observed.
4. Tywin Lannister served four kings, Lee Kuan Yew served four presidents
Tywin: Aerys II Targaryen, Robert Baratheon, Joffrey Baratheon, Tommen Baratheon
LKY: Yusof Ishak, Benjamin Sheares, Devan Nair, Wee Kim Wee
Coincidence? No, there is only the illusion of coincidence.
5. Both never became Head of State
Singapore’s head of state is the president. Westeros’ head of state would be the king.
Tywin: Highest position attained: Hand of the King and Lord of Casterly Rock
LKY: Highest position attained: Prime Minister of Singapore and MP of Tanjong Pagar GRC
6. Both were ruthless when it came to politics
Tywin Lannister: Used the Lannister Army to crush an uprising in Westeros that involved vassals House Reyne and House Tarbeck. Nobody survived.
LKY: Sued Chee Soon Juan and J. B Jeyaretnam for defamation. This led to both of them to be declared bankrupt and unable to stand for General Elections (GE).
And well, he also said this:
“If you are a troublemaker… it’s our job to politically destroy you… Everybody knows that in my bag I have a hatchet, and a very sharp one. You take me on, I take my hatchet, we meet in the cul-de-sac.”
And this:
“Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle-dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no way you can govern a Chinese society.”
7. Both were credited in leading their nations in attaining massive growth
Tywin: Restored a fading power into the most powerful kingdom in Westeros. People have went to the extent to exaggerate that Tywin Lannister ‘shits gold.’
LKY: Prevented a British port with no natural resources from fading into obscurity. People have went to the extent to exaggerate that LKY transformed Singapore from a ‘fishing village to a 1st world city.’
8. They have suspiciously similar quotes
Tywin: “A lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinion of a sheep.”
LKY: “I have never been [overly] concerned or obsessed with opinion polls or popularity polls. I think a leader who is, is a weak leader.”
Tywin: “When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire.”
LKY: “Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle-dusters.”
9. Both of their nations used lions as a national symbol
To quote a certain NDP song: “We will stand together, hear the lion roar”
House Lannister’s words: “Hear me roar.”
10. Both fought kings in the north. (Or in LKY’s case, a Tunku in the North)
Tywin: Fought King in the North, Robb Stark, who didn’t want to be part of the Seven Kingdoms.
LKY: Went toe-to-toe with the Tunku in the North, Tunku Abdul Rahman, as Lee advocated for a “Malaysian Malaysia”.
11. LKY stepped down as Prime Minister in 1990…
And George R.R Martin started writing A Song of Fire and Ice, which Game of Thrones is based on, just one year later in 1991.
http://mothership.sg/2015/06/11-reasons-why-game-of-thrones-tywin-lannister-was-inspired-by-lky/
