Summary
“Chaos is a ladder” is one of the most memorable lines inGame of Thrones, and its repeated use by Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) is almost as memorable as the first time Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Aidan Gillen) speaks it.Game of Thronesis jam-packed with excellent quotesthroughout all eight seasons. Fans of the fantasy franchise have always known about George R.R. Martin’s way with words, but the showrunners of the series, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, frustrated as some fans may be with them, also have a knack for writing powerful dialogue.
One character Benioff and Weiss ended up having to do a lot of original writing for was Littlefinger, who is still operating more in the shadows in theASOIAFnovel series. Littlefinger is a powerful political operator in the Red Keep and throughout Westeros. Born to a minorly noble family,Littlefinger used schemes and secret plotsto work his way up from a lowly lord to having a seat on the small council. Unlike the other power players inGame of Thrones, Littlefinger has no army or formidable friends, buthe can play the chessboard of Westeros better than anyone.
Game of Thrones: How Petyr Baelish Got His “Littlefinger” Name
Petyr Baelish was given the “Littlefinger” nickname well before the events of Game of Thrones, and here’s the significance behind the moniker.
Littlefinger’s “Chaos Is A Ladder” Speech Is About Sowing Discord To Achieve Power
Varys' Plans Are Countered By Littlefinger’s Machinations
In season 3, episode 6, “The Climb”, Littlefinger gives both the audience and the Master of Whispers, Varys (Conleth Hill), a taste of just how dangerous and conniving he can be. Earlier in the episode, the Tyrells and Varys plotted to ship Sansa (Sophie Turner) off to Highgarden to marry Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones), a plan that would save her life. However, Littlefinger gets wind of these plans and enacts his own.
At first, the pair trade barbs like they normally do, but thenLittlefinger grows uncharacteristically sinister and explains to Varys what the realm really is — a lie. Varys says the realm turns to chaos when the lie is abandoned, a pit. Littlefinger responds that it’s not a pit, it’s a ladder,
“Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try it again. The fall breaks them. And some are given a chance to climb. They refuse. They cling to the realm or the gods or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is.”
It’s the thesis statement for his character.Littlefinger uses and creates chaos to ascendthe ladder of power. He’s done it all throughout the show, starting with when he turned on Ned (Sean Bean) in season 1. He later tells Sansa,
“Always keep your foes confused. If they don’t know who you are, what you want, they can’t know what you plan to do next.”
Littlefinger sows discord and uses the resulting confusion to slowly take another step up the ladder. It’s why Varys says about him,
“Littlefinger is one of the most dangerous men in Westeros… He would see this country burn if he could be king of the ashes.”
Bran Repeats Littlefinger’s Game Of Thrones Speech Back To Him Because He’s Not Fooled
Bran Can See Petyr Baelish For Who He Truly Is
“Chaos is a ladder” is not said again inGame of Thronesuntil season 7, episode 4, “The Spoils of War”. Bran has returned to Winterfell and Littlefinger goes to talk to him in an attempt to make more allies using slick words. However,Bran is now the Three-Eyed-Raven, an omniscient being that Littlefinger could never hope to outwit. As Littlefinger discusses his love for Bran’s mother and swears to protect her children, he lies about the true owner of the dagger that nearly killed Bran in his bed in season 1.
As Littlefinger gets up to leave, he pretends to sympathize with Bran, saying how sorry he is that Bran had to come home to such chaos. Bran responds, “Chaos is a ladder,” to Littlefinger’s shock. Bran can see the past, present, and future now. He’sthe ultimate counter to a man like Littlefinger who depends on keeping his motive hidden. Bran can see the ladder that Littlefinger wants to quietly climb.
The “Chaos is a ladder” speech does not come from George R.R. Martin’s books; it’s an original invention by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.
It’sGame of Thronesseason 7 where people begin to see who Littlefinger really is. Littlefinger said the climb was all there was, but with Bran’s unexpected understanding of the world on a new level, Baelish suddenly, and violently, learns there’s more to the world than that.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
