Game of Thrones: 5 Times We Felt Bad For Ygritte (& 5 Times We Hated Her)

When Ygritte was first introduced, it was impossible to dislike her. She was witty, hilarious, fierce, and refused to put up with anyone’s nonsense. Like many characters from Game of Thrones, Ygritte was complex and capable of doing both great and terrible things.

She killed many innocent individuals, yet she also spared the life of Gilly and her baby during a massacre. She was a wildling who was devoted to her people and despised the Night’s Watch, yet she fell in love with and vouched for Jon Snow, a member of the Night’s Watch. As a character who always kept fans on their toes, these are 5 times she was hated and 5 times fans felt bad for her.

10 Hated Her: Lashing Out At Tormund

As the wildlings waited to attack Castle Black, the hilarious Tormund Giantsbane tried to pass the time and entertain the rest of the camp by telling a colorful story involving him and a bear named Sheila.

Ygritte’s conflicted feelings about Jon Snow and the anxiety of what she’d do when she confronted him got the best of her. She lashed out and took out her anger and frustration on Tormund, even though all he was trying to do was entertain the troops and pass the time while waiting for the momentous battle to begin.

9 Felt Bad: Ordered To Be Executed

Soon after Qhorin Halfhand, Jon Snow, and their fellow brothers of the Night’s Watch attacked a wildling camp, Ygritte was ordered to be executed. Even though it was the firsts time fans met her, she was instantly likable.

She was brave, loyal, and unflinching, even as a captive about to be executed. Even with swords pointed at her neck, she refused to surrender any valuable information about her people and was already perceptive about Jon Snow and his vulnerabilities. Such a compelling character deserved more time, and fortunately she got it, as Jon showed her mercy and was unable to execute her.

8 Hated Her: Leading Jon Into A Wildling Ambush

Jon spared Ygritte’s life even though he’d been ordered to execute her, and he took her captive instead. Ygritte took advantage of Jon’s mercy and led him straight into a wildling ambush. Seeing her busting Jon’s chops was hilarious, but the ambush was a sobering reminder that it wasn’t just jesting in good fun and that Ygritte and Jon were on opposite sides in a deadly war.

This forced Jon into a situation where he was taken captive and he had to kill his mentor and Night’s Watch brother Qhorin Halfhand in order to save himself and gain the wildlings’ trust.

7 Felt Bad: Orell Cutting The Rope

When the wildlings climbed the Wall, a crack in the ice led to an avalanche. Worried about Ygritte and Jon bringing him down after the avalanche, the warg Orell decided to cut their rope.

Orell betrayed Ygritte’s trust by cutting her loose and nearly sending her plummeting to her death. If Jon hadn’t managed to swing himself and Ygritte toward safety, Orell would’ve been responsible for Ygritte’s death.

6 Hated Her: Firing Three Arrows Into Jon Snow

Ygritte had every right to be devastated after Jon betrayed her trust and turned on the wildlings. That didn’t make it any less difficult to see her shoot three arrows into him, especially after confirming that he still loved her and knew she still loved him.

The shots were meant to wound him and not to kill him, but it was still brutal to see her firing arrows into her former lover and fan-favorite protagonist Jon Snow.

5 Felt Bad: Orell Being Creepy Toward Her

Orell showed his true colors by cutting the rope and nearly sending Ygritte to her death when climbing the Wall. Despite this, he had the audacity to be creepy and tell her she should be with one of her own and that she should be his woman.

He whined about how “pretty” Jon was and that Ygritte had no business being in a relationship with Jon. Ygritte was a woman fully capable of making her own choices and forming her own relationships. Orell’s jealousy was possessive, unsettling, and demeaning toward Ygritte.

4 Hated Her: Killing Pyp

Pyp was never much of a fighter. He was so proud of himself after killing a wildling with a crossbow during the Battle of Castle Black. As he loaded the crossbow and aimed a second time, Ygritte shot him through the neck with one of her arrows.

Ygritte had no idea who Pyp was and that he was a good friend of Jon’s. Killing him wasn’t more personal than any of the other Night’s Watch brothers she killed that night, but Pyp’s death was one of the most difficult to experience, especially considering that he died in Sam’s arms. Pyp’s death also wasn’t expected, as he survived the Battle of Castle Black in the books.

3 Felt Bad: Jon Snow’s Betrayal

Fans knew it would come eventually, but it was still challenging to watch Jon betray Ygritte. She stood up for Jon on numerous occasions, vouched for his loyalty, and loved him with all of her being.

Jon loved Ygritte, but his loyalty was always to the Night’s Watch. When the time came, he killed some of the wildlings he’d traveled with and escaped on a horse, abandoning her and making her feel like a fool for all her trust and love.

2 Hated Her: The Village Massacres

Prior to the Battle of Castle Black, the wildlings who scaled the Wall began attacking nearby villages. Ygritte played an active role in slaughtering the many innocent people in Olly’s village and in Mole’s Town. She shot an arrow through the head of Olly’s father. Olly was simply talking and joking around with his father one moment and the next he watched his father die, a moment that would leave him traumatized and make him vengeful.

Olly’s father wasn’t Ygritte’s only victim, as she shot, hacked, and slashed plenty of others to death in these villages. Her only redeeming moment during these massacres was when she heard the cry of baby Sam and allowed him and Gilly to stay hidden.

1 Felt Bad: Dying In Jon Snow’s Arms

Quivering and with tears in her eyes, Ygritte had an arrow nocked and aimed at Jon during the Battle of Castle Black, but she was unable to shoot him. While she hesitated, Olly shot her through the back, thus killing the woman who killed his father.

Ygritte died in Jon’s arms and spent her last moments reminiscing on the cave, and once more delivered her iconic line “You know nothing, Jon Snow.” It was the end of a tragic love story and the end of one of the show’s most compelling characters.

About The Author

Matthew Rudoy
(278 Articles Published)

Matthew Rudoy is a freelance writer who loves to write about his favorite movies and TV shows. In addition to Screen Rant, he also currently contributes to Dork Side of the Force. He has previously self-published two fantasy/sci-fi novels titled CORRUPTION and DESTRUCTION. While his favorite movies and TV shows tend to also fall in the fantasy and sci-fi genres, he enjoys and is open to anything that provides an engaging story, strong character development, and in-depth world-building. Matthew is grateful for the opportunity to write for Screen Rant and looks forward to continue contributing to the site.

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