Perhaps, "terrible" is a wrong word-choice here, you sound reasonable :)
I'd just like to notice that she might be even more unhappy thinking it's her fault they only have a daughter, than Stannis is about it. He may consider himself unlucky, while Selyse feels herself guilty. She is under much pressure and probably more weak-nerved, which makes her ashamed of Shireen (deformed child) and annoyed with Jon (the boy who Stannis wishes was his son).
With the time passing by she becomes truly desperate and desperation often brings people to religion or makes them more devoted to their Gods. Selyse is a tragic character indeed. I understand why she is hated by so many, but I have always sympathised her no matter what. Something personal, I suppose.
Given the time and situation, I agree Selyse could very well feel guilty with not having produced a male heir. Shireen as capable as she is in this world, I can understand the way Selyse feels on it. She has a job to do and anything less is an incomplete task.
Unfortunately I understand why she is hated by a lot of fans, they are the same reasons Stannis is hated. Albeit from a different perspective. Neither are lovable characters in and of themselves. Stannis is able to wield a sword and maintain order through his position giving him some validation. But he would never be called amiable. Selyse doesn't have that ability. She is a harsh person as is her husband, but she can't show the world any other traits through skill, her efficacy can only be measured through what she can materially give the realm.
Its not fair, but such is life. I honestly hope she finds a way to validate herself. She deserves it!
Yes Nurie, I am reasonable! ;-)
Mrs. jimicus may not always agree with that, but I always keep her car in safe order, the bills paid and the lawn mowed.
Interesting discussion on Selyse! Both of you bring up interesting points, and I agree that her and Stannis having a son of their own would've solved a lot of their problems and made them happier as a pair. GRRM has a gift for creating characters who aren't fully on the side of the good/evil spectrum (with notable exception in Joffrey and Ramsay Snow, but I'll give the guy a pass), and Selyse is one of them. She's not a terrible wife or parent, but neither is she the best. And those women in Westeros who tend to be seen as good wives and mothers (Catelyn, for example) still have plenty of flaws of their own.
In Westeros, so much of a high-born lady's reputation and worth is centered around who she marries and how many children she "gives" her husband. Selyse succeeded in marrying a man with a good name and an important political position, but she failed at having lots of children. We have no idea if this was because there was something physiologically wrong with her (and/or Stannis), Stannis rarely came to her bed, or both. While Stannis might have accepted the fact that Shireen is his heir, Selyse HAS to be feeling that most of the blame lies with her. In the Stannis/Selyse marriage, Selyse gets the worse deal because Stannis, being a man, has the name, the power, and the freedom. She has the freedom to run the household and worship whatever religion she sees fit, but it's not the same thing.
Selyse isn't the most popular character, in my opinion, because she really isn't shown doing anything likable. We also don't see her point of view or that of someone close to her. Stannis, on the other hand, fights against people we hate and is looked at with approval from point of view characters GRRM wants his readers to like, i.e. Davos and Jon. The HBO show certainly did Selyse zero favors, and she really comes off as a hateful shrew there.
Comment on A Dull Affair
Nurie on Chapter 1 Sat 23 Apr 2016 07:47PM UTC
Last Edited Sat 23 Apr 2016 08:09PM UTC
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jimicus on Chapter 1 Sun 24 Apr 2016 08:08AM UTC
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EmynIthilien on Chapter 1 Sun 24 Apr 2016 08:53PM UTC
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Nurie on Chapter 1 Mon 25 Apr 2016 11:39AM UTC
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Nurie on Chapter 1 Mon 25 Apr 2016 11:00AM UTC
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