The Witcher: 10 Reasons Yennefer & Tissaia Aren’t Real Friends

It’s safe to say that one of the most complex relationships in The Witcher is Yennefer and Tissaia. Yennefer is taken from her home, away from her abusive father, to the magical school of Aretuza to become a sorceress — and there, she finds out more about the woman who took her away, Tissaia. Although many might thank Yennefer has a lot to thank Tissaia for, since she left behind what looked like a pretty awful life to the audience, Tissaia isn’t the nicest to her either. Audiences get to see a complicated, deep relationship that spans many, many years.

Although they might be allies, they are not necessarily friends.

10 Tissaia Doesn’t Have Friends

Tissaia doesn’t seem to have any friends. The magic users she meets with seem like business relationships, and any sorceresses she trains seem to be her subjects. Very little is known about this woman because she doesn’t open up. She keeps a very stiff, proper appearance and although she later claims to be emotional, she never shows it. She keeps herself to herself, and can you truly be friends with someone you don’t know?

9 Neither Does Yennefer

But on the other hand, Yennefer doesn’t have friends either.

Yennefer very swiftly hardens up, and she’s not exactly out to make friends. She’s ruthless and power-hungry, only interested in those who might further her own cause or be able to help her. It’s understandable, after all she’s gone through, but it does mean that her genuine friendships are extremely limited. Tissaia doesn’t seem to be one.

8 There’s A Hierarchy

Even if they did seem closer, there’s a hierarchy there that’s hard to shake. Tissaia has always been above Yennefer, and she’s always used it. She lorded her power over Yen in the early days of Aretuza, and later when she can’t do that, there’s something awkward between them — like that’s the dynamic they’re used to. Healthy friendships should set both people on an even playing field, and Tissaia and Yennefer don’t have that for most of the season.

7 Tissaia Abused Yennefer

Perhaps the most obvious reason these two aren’t real friends is the abuse Yennefer suffered at Tissaia’s hands.

Yennefer may have been rescued from an abusive life, but she endured more in Aretuza. She was constantly told she was worthless, given cruel nicknames based on her appearance, and made to fear everyone around her — Tissaia especially. Tissaia would later argue it was for her own good and made her a great sorceress, but is that really justification for ruining the self-esteem of a young woman?

6 She Also Ruined The Lives Of Yennefer’s Friends

Yennefer’s sorceress friends who didn’t ascend weren’t let go, allowed to go back to their own lives, or given lower positions somewhere to help with what little magic they could control.

No. They were turned into eels.

Yennefer definitely held this against Tissaia, and who could blame her? Those sorceresses — now eels — were her true friends.

5 Yennefer Wouldn’t Help Her

It might be entirely understandable but when Tissaia came to Yennefer needing help, Yennefer would not give her it. She was too caught up in her own goals, and didn’t think Tissaia deserved her help. Yennefer later caved, of course, and ended up fighting with Tissaia against Nilfgaard but when Tissaia first needed help and Yennefer didn’t understand the greater situation, her answer based on personal feelings alone was, “No.”

4 She’s Some Of Yennefer’s Worst Memories

Whenever Yennefer thinks back to the most traumatic times in her life, she thinks of the times that Tissaia called her names, that she was miserable in Aretuza. Tissaia will always be associated with horrific, powerless times in her life, and it seems hard to imagine that a real friendship could come from that.

3 Tissaia Wouldn’t Fight For Yen

When Yennefer’s elven blood was discovered, Tissaia didn’t really try to fight for her and allowed her to be re-assigned — until Yennefer went through her change and got her own way, of course. Regardless of the outcome, Tissaia had nothing to do with it and Yennefer had to take matters into her own hands.

2 Yennefer Sees Tissaia As Having Been The One To Take Her Choice Away

Going through the change, for a cis female sorceress, means giving up the ability to have children by having her womb removed. She’s beautiful, in exchange, but can never have children. This process wasn’t Tissaia’s idea, but Yennefer will always associate this woman with the idea of having her choice taken away — and, as we learn throughout the series, she badly wants that choice.

1 Tissaia Would Never Support A Life With Geralt

Due to the nature of a sorceress’s life and job, it’s hard to imagine that Tissaia would ever support a sorceress she trained taking a lover.

Tough, because Yen has her eyes on Geralt.

Even though she says she’s done with him by the end of the season, it’s pretty obvious that’s not going to stick — and it’s hard to imagine Tissaia would approve.

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