House of the Dragon has come to an end, and while the specific plot threads of the show are sure to be analyzed in further detail, what's just as interesting is the larger picture concerning the character archetypes of the leading figures. These personalities are largely drawn from classic fantasy and reflect figures in Game of Thrones too.
So however their arc progressed or whether they lived or died, upon a first watch it's easy to categorize these characters in these specific ways, as their ambitions, actions, and general roles help to guide the audience's understanding of them. Perhaps these traits will evolve in future seasons.
The Misguided Patriarch - Viserys Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen was a peace-time monarch. He wasn't just the patriarch of the house of the dragon, he was also the patriarch to Westeros itself. His intentions were always well-meaning, obsessed with the peace he had created and refusing to do anything that might destabilize this.
But he was totally misguided in his political decisions and indeed when it came to his family. He tried to bring his extended relatives together, but this only led to further conflict. He might have died finally happy about how they had been united, but it wasn't going to last long. There is always an older patriarchal figure that just doesn't quite get it right.
The Ambitious Heir - Rhaenyra Targaryen
Rhaenyra fulfills the ambitious heir archetype that can be found in most fantasy fiction and can even be found in narratives that reflect other royal families. The figure that holds onto that heir role is always going to be pushing their ambitions, desperate to grasp that power although still finding the whole process quite formidable.
Rhaenyra Targaryen is the heir in question with the character constantly trying to cement her status as she gets older, frightened by what could happen if she does ascend the throne but absolutely determined to take her birthright. It's the kind of archetype that often creates conflicts with other characters.
The Whisperer - Larys Strong
Throughout Game of Thrones there were a number of characters that could be classed as the Master of Whisperers: those who hide in the shadows, manipulating significant leaders with their well-placed words and ensuring they have all the intel from the streets of the kingdom.
Larys Strong is the next man in Westeros to step into this archetype, with his awkward hold over Alicent in particular becoming a significant focal point. Larys knows how to get what he wants and is incredibly powerful, even though many would overlook his vital gifts.
The Estranged Rival - Daemon Targaryen
There is always a rival to the throne who has become an estranged member of the family. It's reflected in wider fiction (Scar is a perfect example as the threat to Simba's reign). Those who meet the archetype are unpredictable, violent, and perhaps even desperate.
While at times Daemon Targaryen might play the misunderstood brother and uncle, attempting to become closer with his family, more often than not he's the jealous rival who feels he should be heir. As the Dance of the Dragons unfolds, he will fully embrace this position.
The Biased Official - Otto Hightower
Within any structure, there is always a high-level member of the group who holds significant power, but wields it with bias that perhaps works in their own self-interests. They may represent the crown or the country, but there is a corruption that seeps out of them. The Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood lore is one such example of the archetype.
Otto Hightower is the Hand of the King and the official in question. While he might speak for the monarch, his words are not as reflective of what the Targaryen leader might want but are instead influenced by Otto's own point of view. He even managed to manipulate the crown into a marriage that benefited himself.
The Master Schemer - Alicent Hightower
The Master Schemer has become a stereotyped trope of the genre that talks to a misogynistic distrust of women in classic literature. Roles such as Lady Macbeth have popularized the archetype, with the wives of powerful men supposedly becoming master manipulators.
For the influential Alicent Hightower, she steps into this archetype, but it's far more nuanced in its portrayal. Like other political operators playing the game of thrones, she is a schemer, but she is so intelligent and does so to benefit her own children who might be owed the crown.
The Jealous Ex-Lover - Criston Cole
It's common to see ex-lovers who turn from best friends to bitter enemies because they feel they have been slighted by the choices of their former partner. These personality types can often become larger villains, or at the very least act as useful idiots for those who truly wield the power.
The vengeful and jealous Criston Cole steps into that role in House of the Dragon. The character was once the lover of the princess, but when her duty meant they could not marry, he refused to continue on the same path, instead trading his secrets for Alicent's loyalty. He's a dangerous operator and a useful idiot, indeed.
The Loyal Husband - Laenor Velaryon
In narratives where a leading female character takes a vital position in government or the royal household, the archetype can arise of the loyal husband who supports that journey no matter what. Of course, the archetype can easily be gender-flipped as well. Those who hold the position are confided in and can be trusted with anything.
Laenor Valeryon fills that role perfectly. He fulfills his duty as best as he can, stands up to take on a bigger role for his wife, attempts to help her secure the throne, and even allows her to fake his death for her to form a new marriage. Although Laenor might have taken other lovers, this was completely agreed upon, with the Valeryon serving Rhaenyra completely.
The True Heir - Rhaenys Targaryen
Regardless of the family member that feels they are entitled to a high-profile position, or those who have been named heir despite not being best placed to be pushed into that role, there are always those who are actually steadfast in their right to rule. Stannis Baratheon was one such contender for the archetype in Game of Thrones.
For House of the Dragon, Rhaenys Targaryen is utterly right to feel she is the true heir to the throne. Westeros should have passed to this mighty Targaryen warrior, but because of her gender, she wasn't allowed to step up to the plate. Her political decisions since have been about making it back to that birthright.
The Respected Lord - Corlys Velaryon
There are those figures within historical fiction that command a large amount of respect and power. They are very influential on the larger stage and are looked to for guidance. If they act, they may do so in their own interests, but their actions always have much larger consequences.
Corlys Velaryon is that very lord, keeping the name of the oldest Velaryons intact while also waging war to cement his authority. He is married to the true heir but has also served on the King's council before leaving out of choice. While he might not always be trusted, much like others who have matched the archetype such as Game of Thrones' Lord Arryn in the past, he can never be overlooked.