Irony of Ser Duncan
Ser Duncan is a walking set of contradictions. He is a better fighter without his sword, being able to make use of his natural brute strength and size rather than his skill with the blade, as Ser Arlan didn’t really have time to properly train him in the art of sword fighting. His character too is a study in contrasts. Despite his low birth he has had become a knight of more noble character than many coming from landed families.
Irony of Ser Duncan’s Knighthood
It has been hinted that the reason Ser Duncan hesitates to confer knighthood to Ser Raymun Fossoway because he was never himself knighted by Ser Arlan, having died before he could bestow the title upon him. Despite his use of “Ser”, his bearing of arms, and outstanding nobility of character and adherence to the code of chivalry, Duncan may not actually be a knight.
Irony of Egg/Aegon’s Identity
Egg/Aegon, as a member of House Targaryen and fifth in the line of succession to the Iron Throne must travel incognito to protect himself from plotters against the current king, his father. He keeps his head shaven, as his platinum blonde hair, pale skin, and purple eyes would be a dead giveaway of his ties to his House and dresses in clothing more befitting of small folk rather than a squire. In addition to keeping his head shaved and to maintain the disguise he also willingly endures poverty, danger, and Ser Duncan’s empty threats of a “clout to his ears” in order to learn from his master. It is also ironic that despite Aegon’s distance from the line of succession he eventually ascends to the Iron Thone earning him the title “Aegon the Unlikely.”
Irony of Targaryen Influence
There are no more dragon-riders in A.K.O.S.K. and dragons are present only in the form of dormant dragon eggs given to each of the heirs of the ruling Targaryen clan. This is a thematic metaphor of the clout that House Targaryen used to hold. Despite its’ fearsome sigil and motto, House Targaryen is a pale shade of its’ former might, relying on political maneuverings and the cold-hearted, heavy-handed methods of the Lord Hand, Brynden Rivers, to maintain its’ power rather than sheer charisma and the threat of dragonfire like the Targaryens of old.
Irony of Peace
The relative peace in the Seven Kingdoms is but a farce as it comes at the threat of possible assassination by one of Lord Brynden River’s agents. The Seven Kingdoms is a tightly monitored police state and peace is often sacrificed for freedom to speak one’s mind. Participants in the infamous "Blackfyre Rebellion" are closely watched, the Lord Hand having planted spies practically throughout the continent of Westeros.
