The Game of Thrones spinoff show House of the Dragon will surely introduce some complex characters, they will have a hard time being more complicated than Jaime Lannister. Having gone from the most hated person on the show to a fan-favorite, Jaime had an incredible character arc.
While it is hard to define Jaime with all his different aspects, there are a number of quotes that speak to who he is as a character. Some are other people's views of Jaime and some are Jaime's own quotes. But they all highlight the flaws, surprises, and nuances of Jaime that make him one of Game of Thrones' best characters.
"There Are No Men Like Me. Only Me."
Jaime Lannister (Season 1, Episode 10)
In the first two seasons of Game of Thrones, there were few people in Westeros more confident than Jaime. Even as a captive of Robb Stark, he carried himself as someone who was above everyone else rather than someone who has been defeated.
When Catelyn Stark compares him to other horrible men she has come across, he insists that he is one of a kind. It is that arrogance that he shared by every Lannister, but Jaime seems to wear it as if
"There's Still Time."
Jaime Lannister (Season 4, Episode 1)
Though Jaime is one of many flawed knights on the show, there are some who have found glory in their positions. The achievements of the Kingsguard are kept in a book, but when Joffrey remarks that Jaime's page is quite empty, Jaime assures him there is still time to fill it.
That becomes something of a mission for Jaime in the rest of the series. Though he still struggles with his darker side, he attempts to make a reputation that is more than just the Kingslayer.
"Nothing Else Matters. Only Us."
Jaime Lannister (Season 8, Episode 5)
It is impossible to talk about Jaime without discussing his relationship with Cersei. Though it is one of television's most inappropriate romances, Jaime's love for Cersei might be the deepest love in Game of Thrones. And that is cemented with their final moment together.
Facing death, Jaime tells Cersei that they are all that matters, offering some comfort that they at least share their final moments together. However, Jaime has proven that this is true for him. Though honor and redemption are important for him, he always chooses Cersei above all else.
"Why Have The Gods Made Me Love A Hateful Woman?"
Jaime Lannister (Season 4, Episode 3)
Though Cersei clearly loves Jaime as well, it is perhaps not as uncompromising as Jaime's love for her. She has insulted him, betrayed him, and even thought about having him killed for abandoning her.
Jaime is not oblivious to this and it clearly hurt him. There is a part of him that seems to see his love for Cersei as some sort of curse. He sees that she is someone filled with hate, some of which is directed at him, and it pains him that he still loves her.
"By What Right Does The Wolf Judge The Lion?"
Jaime Lannister (Season 3, Episode 5)
Following the death of King Aerys, Ned Stark is the first one to come across Jaime Lannister in the throne room. With such an honorable man as Ned Stark discovering Jaime in such a dishonorable way, he was immediately dubbed as a disgraced villain.
Jaime lives with this reputation even though the truth is far nobler. He acts like he is above the judgment of others, but it's clear it secretly hurts him. When asked why he didn't tell Stark the truth, Jaime echoes the proud words of his father that House Lannister is above such things, but the anger in his voice shows how he has carried this reputation all these years.
"… Until You And I Are The Only People Left In This World."
Jaime Lannister (Season 1, Episode 3)
It is clear that Jaime has some good in him and his quest to make a better name for himself gradually reveals those more heroic qualities. However, the darkness inside him is also unmistakable and his love for Cersei brings it out in the worst ways.
Jaime proves this when pushing Bran out of a window and he insists he will go even further. He ensures Cersei that if Bran reveals their secret he will kill the boy, Ned Stark, Robert Baratheon, and everyone else until they are all that remains. Despite Cersei's hatefulness, Jaime is just as twisted a participant in their love story.
"You Always Knew Exactly What She Was, And You Loved Her Anyway."
Tyrion Lannister (Season 8, Episode 2)
As fans grew to like Jaime more as a character, they hoped that he would finally see Cersei for the monster she was and leave her. But at a certain point, Jaime had already overlooked some much with Cersei that there was really no coming back.
Jaime abandons Cersei to join the deadly Battle of Winterfell. But when Jaime insists he didn't know what Cersei was capable of Tyrion doesn't buy it and suggests he always knew and loved her anyway. It once again feels almost like Jaime is cursed with this love, but also suggests he is complicit.
"We Don't Get To Choose Who We Love."
Jaime Lannister (Season 2, Episode 10)
Jaime has one of the great redemption arcs on Game of Thrones as he was a universally hated villain in Game of Thrones' first seasons. The first sign that Jaime was deeper than he seemed was during his first conversation with Brienne.
Instead of insulting her for loving Renly or Renly for being a homosexual, he simply expresses understanding that one cannot choose who they fall in love with. He later uses the same line when speaking to Myrcella. It shows ambiguous sides of Jaime in that his love is also looked down upon by others but it also shows that he doesn't fully take responsibility for what he does in the name of love.
"My Name Is Jaime."
Jaime Lannister (Season 3, Episode 5)
Perhaps the most important moment in the series for Jaime is when he tells Brienne the truth about killing King Aerys. He begins telling the story in a casual way, attempting to maintain that arrogance he's known for. Gradually, he becomes angrier, resenting those who call him Kingslayer.
But as Jaime slips into consciousness and Brienne calls out for someone to help the Kingslayer, he quietly and sadly tells her his name is Jaime. It is a rare moment of vulnerability that shows how badly he wants to escape the Kingslayer title.
"The Things I Do For Love."
Jaime Lannister (Season 1, Episode 1)
Jaime pushing Bran out of a window was a shocking way to end the show's first season, and it immediately made fans hate Jaime. But even at this moment, he proved he was not some standard bad guy as love is rarely a motivation from a villain.
Jaime delivers the line with a callous nature that makes it all the more shocking, but what is behind the words says so much about his character. It shows that he is aware of how terrible this act is, that it is yet another way his relationship with Cersei corrupts him and that he is willing to do anything to be with her.