Shae

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Shae
Shae by Amoka.jpg
Art by Amok ©

Born 280 AC or 281 AC[1]
Died 300 AC
the Tower of the Hand, King's Landing
Lovers
Books

Played by Sibel Kekilli
TV series Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 | Season 4

Shae is a young camp follower who comes into the service of Tyrion Lannister. In the television adaptation Game of Thrones she is portrayed by Sibel Kekilli.

Appearance

See also: Images of Shae

Shae is short (about five feet tall), slim, and pretty. She has small firm breasts, large dark eyes, and short dark hair.[2][3] Her smile can turn shy, insolent, and wicked. She is around eighteen years old.[2]

History

Shae claims she ran away from home when her father attempted to turn her into his kitchen wench and his whore.[4]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Shae is present as a camp follower in Lord Tywin Lannister's army at the Riverlands when Bronn brings her to Tyrion Lannister, who is looking for a female companion before the battle on the Green Fork.[2] Tyrion sleeps with her both before and after the battle, taking a liking to her, and he decides to take her with him to King's Landing despite his father Tywin's explicit command not to take the whore to court.[5]

A Clash of Kings

Shae with Tyrion Lannister - by Donato Giancola

Upon arrival in King's Landing, Shae is set up in a manse near the Iron Gate. Tyrion cannot bring her to court, already defying his father in bringing her to the capital. Tyrion makes frequent use of Shae's services, relegating her to a role as his exclusive companion, and he finds his feelings for her are strong. Tyrion believes he has finally gotten over his first wife, Tysha, and his need for whoring.[6]

Recognizing that Shae's presence in King's Landing is a weapon his adversaries could use against him, Tyrion takes pains to keep her safe and secret, though her presence is immediately known to Lord Varys, who on several occasions facilitates their trysts. Tyrion keeps her in the manse where they can rendezvous in secret.[6]

With the approach of Stannis Baratheon's army and the breaking out of several riots in the city, Tyrion comes to fear for Shae's safety and moves her to the Red Keep. He finds her a cover job as a maid of Lollys Stokeworth, allowing him to continue to see her.[4]

A Storm of Swords

After Tyrion is married to Sansa Stark, Shae is made a maid of Sansa's so that she can continue to be close to Tyrion. Tyrion is worried about her safety, however, and is torn between sending her away and marrying her off in order to avoid Queen Regent Cersei Lannister's suspicions. Eventually he decides to arrange a marriage between Shae and Ser Tallad.[7] Before he can act, however, Tyrion is charged with murdering King Joffrey I Baratheon.[8]

During Tyrion's trial, Shae betrays Tyrion by lying that he conspired with Sansa to murder King Joffrey and Lord Tywin, revealing the full and intimate details of their affair - including her pet name for him as her "Giant of Lannister". In exchange for her testimony Cersei offered her a manse in King's Landing and a knight to wed.[9]

Shae is in Lord Tywin's bed when Tyrion enters Tywin's chambers in the Tower of the Hand, after his escape from the black cells. He strangles her to death with his father's golden chain of office.[10] Her death by strangulation in what had once been Tyrion's bed is ironic in light of Tywin's earlier threat to Tyrion, "You are done with whores. The next one I find in your bed, I'll hang".[11]

A Feast for Crows

Shae's body is discovered in the bed where Tyrion had left her. Cersei orders the disposal of her corpse to be handled by the Kettleblacks and that her presence in the chambers of the Hand of the King be kept secret.[9]

A Dance with Dragons

During his exile in Essos, Tyrion remembers killing Shae at several occasions.[12][13][14][15]

Quotes by Shae

Shae - by Pojypojy ©

My mother named me Shae. Men call me... often.[2]

—Shae to Tyrion Lannister

Shae: M'lord looks fearsome.
Tyrion: M'lord looks a dwarf in mismatched armor, but I thank you for your kindness.[2]

Quotes about Shae

Shae may only be a whore, but I am faithful to her after my fashion.[6]

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

I'm free of Tysha now. She's haunted me half my life, but I don't need her any more, no more than I need Alayaya or Dancy or Marei, or the hundreds like them I've bedded with over the years. I have Shae now. Shae.[6]

—thoughts of Tyrion Lannister

You knew what she was.[12]

References