Death is one of the most prevalent parts of Game of Thrones. The show's most notable conversation starters were its fearless on-screen murders of beloved characters. No one was safe in Westeros. Most nobles and warriors die violently in an exchange of steel or a public execution. Some choose a less popular weapon to eliminate their targets with efficiency. Poison isn't glamorous, but it is reliable.
The people of Westeros have a strange understanding of honor. Some knights will sacrifice their lives and kill countless innocents to serve the will of a monster who happened to be born on the throne. They'd burn a city to the ground to irritate its leader, but poisoning their target is often a bridge too far. The take from most men of Westeros is that any action taken on a battlefield, including deceit, is justifiable. Poison is seen as a weapon for those who can't or won't fight.
Common poisons in Game of Thrones
There are a variety of toxic substances to choose from in Westeros. Most poisons are derived from the methods used to gather them in reality. Some natural toxicants like Wolfsbane exist as they do in the real world. Deadly nightshade grows in Westeros. Doctors use it as a medicine, but it's much more effective as a poison. Many venomous animals can have their fluids extracted and refined. A scorpion-like arachnid called a manticore carries an extraordinarily lethal venom. They're native to Essos, the old continent, but many use their natural gifts for alchemy or assassination. Essos is also home to basilisks, dog-sized venomous reptiles whose blood causes violent madness. The crannogmen, an offshoot of the First Men who settled in the swamps of the Neck, can find bog water so laden with bacteria and parasites that it becomes a natural poison. These are all naturally occurring substances that can be weaponized.
Specially crafted poisons can cause a variety of unique physiological effects. An assassin's poison called Sweetsleep promises a peaceful death. Small doses can ease shaking fits, while a little more will put the victim in a permanent coma. Tears of Lys is a colorless, tasteless, odorless poison that kills quickly by causing stomach sickness and high fevers. Widow's Blood is a crimson liquid that causes the victim's bladder and bowels to shut down, eventually leading to sepsis and death. The Strangler comes in the form of purple crystals that cause a victim's airway to close, suffocating them in a way that resembles choking. The long farewell is an exceptionally potent toxin that can kill a victim with a single drop. As its name suggests, it takes time, but its lethality is certain without the antidote.
Who uses poisons in Game of Thrones?
Alchemists and maesters study poisons extensively. Poisons are thought of as a "woman's weapon," fit only for those who can't fight on the battlefield. Assassins frequently employ poisons to kill their targets, staging murders to look like accidents or maneuvering past countless guards. Faceless Man, Jaqen H'ghar once used a blow dart tipped with wolfsbane to take down a target. After Arya Stark spent some time with them, she developed a penchant for poisoning wine. Poisons are also frequently used by nobles. It seems as if wives, husbands, sons, and parents are constantly slipping substances into each other's meals to claim power. It's a more civilized method of execution than hiring a murderer. Oberyn Martell enjoyed poisons so much that he fought in honorable tournaments with a venom-tipped spear. His daughters kept the habit alive by dipping daggers in the long goodbye. It's available to everyone, but it's most commonly used by hired killers and high-up nobles.
The most famous poisonings in Game of Thrones
Joffrey Baratheon was the eighteenth king to sit on the Iron Throne. Joffrey met the cold hand of the strangler at his wedding feast. His death changed the world in a matter of moments. His father wasn't technically poisoned, but he was drugged with spiked wine, leading to his death. Robert's Hand, Jon Arryn, was poisoned with Tears of Lys by his wife. Both Joffrey's and Arryn's deaths were partially orchestrated by Petyr Baelish. Arya Stark eliminated most of House Frey with poisoned wine. Oberyn Martell mortally wounded Gregor Clegane with manticore venom, but Qyburn's illegal human experiments gave him a horrible facsimile of his life back. Ser Bronn of the Blackwater is the only character to fully recover from poisoning. He was cut by Tyrene Sand's poisoned daggers, but he received the antidote in time.
Poison is an everyday problem in Westeros. No one at the top levels of government can drink a glass of wine without fear. No meal can ever be trusted. It may be denigrated as a weapon for the craven, but poison is one of the most effective dealers of death in Game of Thrones. Don't underestimate something as simple as a few drops of venom.