Sansa Stark shared a complex relationship with rival queen Cersei Lannister throughout Game Of Thrones. At first, Sansa is taken in by Cersei's glamour and power, viewing her as a role model for her southern ambitions. Cersei's true colors are revealed when Ned Stark is executed, with Sansa becoming a hostage of House Lannister in King's Landing.
The Lannister queen goes from Sansa's mentor to her enemy as their families go to war. The two queens grow to despise each other - yet Sansa still displays similar traits learned from Cersei. Was the Queen in the North as bad as her rival, or was she better?
Bad As Cersei: Rebuffing Daenerys' Aid
Sansa's harrowing experiences in the south harden her to people outside of her immediate circle. Daenerys Targaryen pauses her war for the Iron Throne to help the Starks defend Winterfell. Her aid does nothing to endear her to Sansa though, who continues to rebuff the queen's attempts at friendship.
The Lady of Winterfell could have joined forces with Daenerys against Cersei, their common enemy. Instead, Sansa behaved exactly like the Lannister queen by using the Targaryen forces for her own agenda.
Better Than Cersei: Looking After Winterfell
After spending the first half of the series as a hostage in King's Landing, Sansa is relieved to finally return to the North and win back her home from the Boltons. King Jon leaves his pseudo-sister in charge of Winterfell when he journeys south, and Sansa flourishes in her new, powerful position.
Sansa behaves more like Catelyn than Cersei as she embraces the role of Lady of Winterfell. She ensures her country is prepared for winter and oversees the preparations for the Long Night.
Bad As Cersei: Turning On Arya
The Stark sisters share a rocky relationship throughout the series. Sansa and Arya are introduced in season 1 as opposites. When they reunite in season 7, tension is still present between them, as Arya suspects Sansa of usurping Jon's position as King in the North.
Sansa and Arya unite in time to take down the meddling Littlefinger. Yet the eldest Stark sister was ready and willing to turn on her sister the same way Cersei turned on her brother, Tyrion.
Better Than Cersei: Saving Ser Dontos
Young Sansa may have been naive but she had a good heart that contradicted her harsh environment. In season 2, the Northern lady saves Ser Dontos from Joffrey's wrath by manipulating the boy king into naming Dontos his new fool rather than killing him.
Cersei would never jeopardize her safety by challenging the king as Sansa did. During Joffrey's wedding feast, Sansa reaps the rewards of her kindness when Dontos helps her escape from King's Landing.
Bad As Cersei: Schemed To Be Queen
In the end, Sansa gets the crown she always wanted when she is named Queen in the North. Just as Cersei's path to the Iron Throne is paved by the deaths of her children, the departure of Jon Snow and her siblings leaves Sansa as the sole Stark in Winterfell.
It could be argued that the Lady of Winterfell uses underhanded tactics, like the Lannister queen, to secure her position as queen. Sansa undermines Jon in front of the Northern lords and schemes against Daenerys for personal gain.
Better Than Cersei: Caring About Her People's Welfare During The Long Night
Whilst Jon and Daenerys fought from their dragons on the battle's frontlines, Sansa used her skills to oversee the maintenance of Winterfell and the rest of the North. Sansa isn't a physical fighter, but she accepts her limitations and takes care of her people in other, practical ways.
Sansa is mindful of feeding her people when Winterfell is met with an influx of Dothraki and Unsullied. Cersei shows none of this consideration for the people of King's Landing; she is happy to let the people starve and suffer in the throes of war.
Bad As Cersei: Revealing Jon's Secret To Tyrion
Not only does Sansa break an oath sworn in front of Winterfell's weirwood tree, but she also betrays Jon's trust by revealing his secret to Tyrion. Jon makes it clear he doesn't want to be King of Westeros. Sansa still pushes for this outcome by telling Tyrion that Jon is Rhaegar's trueborn son.
Sansa is as instrumental in Daenerys' downfall as Cersei. Despite the Targaryen queen's aid, Sansa pushes for Northern independence and undermines Dany's claim to the throne to become Queen in the North.
Better Than Cersei: Warning Margaery About Joffrey
During season 3, Sansa puts her own life in danger to warn Margaery and Olenna Tyrell about Joffrey's true nature. The budding queen befriends Sansa and asks for her honesty. Sansa tells Margaery that Joffrey is a monster, recounting the awful things he did to her throughout her captivity.
The Northern lady is initially reluctant, fearing the repercussions if Joffrey overhears her treason. But unlike Cersei, Sansa is frightened at the prospect of Margaery suffering similar abuse; her words lead to Olenna poisoning Joffrey at the Purple Wedding.
Bad As Cersei: Wanting To Punish Ned Umber And Alys Karstark For Their Families' Crimes
Much of Sansa's softness fades by season 7. The future queen survives horrifying ordeals at the mercy of the Lannisters and Ramsay Bolton that harden her heart, making her willing to punish children for the actions of their parents.
Sansa clashes with Jon when she declares that Ned Umber and Alys Karstark should be stripped of their homes. In a Cersei-like moment, the Northern lady displays a ruthlessness that, whilst understandable, is almost chilling.
Better Than Cersei: Keeping The Ladies Calm During The Battle Of The Blackwater
Sansa ultimately proves that she is a better person than Cersei during the Battle of Blackwater Bay. Cersei drinks and schemes to execute the ladies of King's Landing if Stannis takes the city, whilst Sansa does everything she can to keep her peers calm by singing songs and making reassurances.
The future Northern queen shows grace where the Lannister queen shows scorn. Sansa was inspired heavily by Cersei throughout the series and inherited many traits from her, though in the end, she was still a better person than the fallen Queen of Westeros.