Cersei Lannister schemed and scourged her way to power in Game of Thrones, outplaying various political figures in Westeros. The Lannister queen initially dwelt in her royal husband's shadow before stepping into the spotlight after she orchestrated his death. Cersei's crimes caught up with her when she mistakenly awarded power to the High Sparrow, but she defeated all of her enemies to become queen before dying in season 8.
Cersei's tumultuous journey throughout the game of thrones navigates the dynamics of politics, privilege, and power. She may have been cast down in the end, but here are 10 life lessons viewers can take from her reign.
Learn To Play The Game Of Thrones
Cersei offers a valuable lesson for the series in season 1: "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." The Lannister queen ultimately paid this price when Daenerys brought fire and blood to King's Landing in season 8. Before her death, Cersei outplayed other people to become Queen of Westeros.
Her warning to Ned Stark is a vital rule for surviving the political tension in the Seven Kingdoms. Unlike the Lord of Winterfell, Cersei was willing to relinquish her honor to do whatever was necessary.
Don't Spoil Your Children
Cersei may have loved her children but her parenting left a lot to be desired. Her first child Joffrey was a sadistic young king who started a war in Westeros. His behavior was encouraged by his mother, who spoiled and pandered to her son's whims.
Cersei's paranoia pushes her to warn Joffrey against the Starks in season 1. This triggers the War of the Five Kings after Joffrey executes Ned, and eventually leads to Joffrey's long-awaited demise at the Purple Wedding.
Stay One Step Ahead Of Your Enemies
Cersei finds herself outnumbered by enemies in season 7. Daenerys lands on Dragonstone with her armies and Tyrion Lannister as her Hand. Highgarden and Dorne declare war on the Lannisters, allying with the Mother of Dragons against the Lannister queen.
Despite being outgunned by Dany's dragons and armies, Cersei manages to stay one step ahead of her opponent. The Queen of Westeros allies with Euron and abandons Casterly Rock to defeat Daenerys' Westerosi allies.
Maintain Healthy Familial Relationships
The only thing worse than Cersei's parenting was her relationship with her brothers. She despises Tyrion throughout the series and blames him for the death of their mother. But her incestuous relationship with Jaime is more disturbing — and the catalyst for the war in Westeros.
The Lannister family was dysfunctional, to say the least. Cersei's toxic relationship with her relative offers valuable life lessons about healthy familial dynamics.
Be There For Your Children
Cersei loved her children, but her schemes and machinations caused the death of her youngest son Tommen in season 6, when she avenged her Walk of Atonement by blowing up the Sept of Baelor with wildfire — with Tommen's wife Margaery inside.
A grieving Tommen was left alone to process his wife's death and his mother's crimes. Cersei punished Septa Unella in the dungeon instead of supporting her son, which led to his death and her coronation.
Know When To Surrender
Cersei managed to stay one step ahead of Daenerys throughout most of their war, but even she should have recognized when it was time to surrender. The deaths of Missandei and Rhaegal wounded the Targaryen queen, but ultimately drove her to madness and guaranteed Cersei's death.
Cersei could have negotiated a surrender with Tyrion that saw her return to Casterly Rock as the Lady of House Lannister. She and her unborn child would have survived the series instead of perishing in the Red Keep's destruction.
Don't Underestimate People
Cersei made drastic blunders during her first stint with power in season 5 when Tywin's death left the Lannisters vulnerable to countless enemies. Cersei's schemes with the High Sparrow led to Margaery and Loras Tyrell's arrest, but also guaranteed Cersei's own Walk of Atonement in "Mother's Mercy."
The Queen Regent was determined to oust her daughter-in-law and gravely underestimated the High Sparrow. Cersei's decision to reinstate the Faith Militant came back to haunt her when the Sparrows arrested her for her crimes.
Treat Your Allies Well
The Tyrells saved the day for House Lannister when Stannis Baratheon attacked King's Landing. The Battle of the Blackwater looked set to end badly for Cersei when the newly allying House Tyrell arrived to beat back Stannis' army.
Tywin recognized that the Tyrells were vital allies, but Cersei's paranoia ultimately led to both of their families' downfalls. She rebuffed Margaery's diplomatic attempts to bond, killing her daughter-in-law with wildfire during the Sept of Baelor's destruction.
Create Alliances Where You Can
Cersei's alliance with Euron Greyjoy proved vital to her victories during the war against Daenerys. Euron and the Iron Fleet ambushed the Targaryen ships in season 7 and 8, capturing Yara and Missandei and killing the Sand Snakes and Rhaegal.
Cersei learned from her mistakes with the Tyrells and made an unexpected alliance with Euron to ensure her reign on the Iron Throne. Cersei's schemes may have caught up with her in "The Bells" but were also instrumental in her enemy's downfall.
Don't Create Unnecessary Enemies
Unlike Margaery, Cersei's relationship with Sansa was initially warm. Sansa idolized her fiancé's mother and was besotted with the glamour of King's Landing. In the books, Sansa trusted Cersei enough to tell her about Ned's plan to leave the Capitol, which led to his execution.
This was another example of Cersei's paranoia getting the better of her. Sansa eventually escaped King's Landing in season 4 after unknowingly assisting in Joffrey's death. Cersei's attempts to stay one step ahead of her enemies created more unnecessary foes. Although the Lannister queen was cast down in season 8, her reign left viewers with helpful life lessons.