House of the Dragon has been a major success for HBO, as the series tackles the family psychology of House Targaryen. With the Dance of the Dragons now unfolding on-screen, the viewers have begun to see each Targaryen question their family's core values and principles as they fight to be the reigning sovereign of Westeros. Given the state of House Targaryen in Game of Thrones, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to see all this deceit and betrayal; however, there was a small part that did hope they could have been as loving as the Starks of Winterfell.
Brooding and stubborn, while also warm and caring, the Starks are an easy House to , as they're one of the few that seem to show unconditional love to their own. The Starks are rarely plagued by the politics of power, allowing themselves to live in the North with tradition. But like any other house, their values come with fears, and to understand the psychology of their house, the fears must be assessed.
The Starks Hate Being Separated From Their Family
Unlike the other houses, one of the reasons why many characters and fans have come to appreciate the Starks is because of their tight familial bonds. Unlike Stannis with Renly or Tyrion with Tywin, it's hard to imagine a Stark member fatally turning on another. When they were all together, they were truly at their strongest as the viewers could see that they always wanted what was best for each other and would do whatever it took to make sure they were safe
This is also why their separation from each other was so difficult to watch as they all seemed so lost and worried that they could lose one another. It certainly didn't help that their father was killed at the end of the first season, which only enhanced this fear as the Starks are separated and forced to forge their own paths.
The Starks Fear The Harsh Winters
The phrase "winter is coming" is as much a psychological motto as it is environmental. Sure, the long winters are devastating, and House Stark knows it better than almost anyone. But to them, the words are more about preparing for hard times of any sort.
This is the Starks' way of saying "always be prepared."
The Starks know that there is always a threat looming, and that they should never become complacent or unready to face it. The Starks are rarely the most wholesome characters in Game of Thrones, as their stubbornness and attitude gives them more of an edge.
The Starks Are Scared To Forsake Their Honor
Honor is a code to live by for many in the world of Westeros, with some taking it more seriously than others. The Starks value their honor above most others. Much of their morals and judgments of other characters or houses live by this code of honor.
Ned Stark refuses to forsake his honor even in the face of execution, until the idea that his daughters may suffer is brought to his attention. This lesson is ed down to his children, as Jon Snow continues to do what he believes is right and honorable until he is killed for it.
The Starks Are Afraid To Sway From Tradition
In many ways, the Starks hold their tradition to high value. They still worship the Old Gods, the Night's Watch, and believe in the sanctity of honorable execution. While the Starks do allow for a Sept of the Seven to be built once Catelyn is married to Ned, they mostly keep a contained environment of traditional practices.
In the beheading scene in the show's first episode, Bran says "Our way is the old way," a teaching he must have received from his father. In modernizing, the Starks believe they would lose many of the ties that hold them together, and keep them so separated from the modern politics and greed.
The Starks Hate Leaving Home
"Stark men don't fair well down South" sort of becomes an ongoing joke in the series, as the events of Roberts Rebellion are started by Ned's father and older brother going to King's Landing and being burnt alive. The term "there must always be a Stark in Winterfell" can also be heard many times. So many people in Game of Thrones betray the Starks when they leave home, some more expectedly than others.
The Starks believe that their influence must always remain at home, likely meaning so that their values will always have a touchstone of representation and leadership. While leaving home physically does not fair well for them at times, they also understand the value of their home and what it means to them and their people.
The Starks Are Afraid Of Losing Loyalty
Loyalty is one of the major ties that bring House Stark together. They are fiercely loyal to their family and to their beliefs. Robb goes to war for justice for his family. Sansa and Arya remain loyal to one another in order to face Littlefinger. Many of Catelyn Stark's best quotes sum up her feelings about the family's loyalty.
But House Stark cannot expect their values of loyalty to exist beyond their walls, and sadly, the expectations that others will remain honorable or loyal often get them killed. Ned suffers to Littlefinger's disloyalty, Robb to that of his banner-men, and Jon to the Night's Watch.
The Starks Are Afraid Of What Lies Beyond The Wall
While the rest of the realm joke about the efforts of the Night's Watch, the Starks have always ed them. Their lineage from the first men and values of tradition serve as a constant reminder of what may exist out there, and to always remain vigilant for it.
The Starks don't exactly know about the White Walkers, and even to them, they are a fable at the show's start. But the Starks are the only ones that pay it mind, with Ned seeming to know in his gut that the words "winter is coming" are about to have new meaning.
The Starks Hate The Politics Of The South
Ned Stark's reaction to become the Hand of the King says enough. The Starks don't belong in the Game of Thrones surrounded by schemers and climbers who have nothing but selfish ambition.
After the execution of Eddard Stark, which was one of Sean Bean's most memorable deaths, and the betrayal of Robb, it's clear how Starks get taken advantage of in political situations. It isn't their game, and it conflicts too much with their values of honor.
A Conquest Of Fire
While Eddard may show restraint in Robert's ideas of eliminating Daenerys Targaryen, Aegon's conquest was revealing of the Starks' character. Torrhen Stark, the King Who Knelt, itted defeat and surrendered without bloodshed after seeing the field of fire and the armies who had attempted to face Aegon before him.
This decision to protect the lives of his men earned him his title, serving as a historical reminder for the power of dragons. The Starks have also suffered more recently at the hands of the Mad King's fire.
The Starks Fear The Power That Comes With Modern Economics
Part of what makes the Starks such a great foil to the Lannisters are their old customs of trade and possession, which rarely utilize gold or banks. The Starks seem to be distrustful of the economics of the outside world due to events that have impacted their house in the past.
The power of gold over loyalty defeats the Starks on multiple occasions, from Littlefinger's betrayal of Ned to Tyrions escape from Catalyn in the Eyrie.