How did Tyrion lose his nose?

Answered by Tom Adger

In the Game of Thrones series, Tyrion Lannister’s journey is filled with hardships and trials, and one of the most significant events that befalls him is the loss of his nose. While the show portrays Tyrion with a facial scar, the original source material, George R.R. Martin’s novels, takes it a step further and has him lose his entire nose.

The incident occurs during the Battle of the Blackwater, a pivotal moment in the series. Tyrion, who is serving as Hand of the King for his nephew Joffrey, finds himself leading the defense of King’s Landing against Stannis Baratheon’s forces. As chaos erupts and the battle intensifies, Tyrion’s life is put in grave danger.

In the novels, Tyrion is struck down by one of his own men, a member of the Kingsguard named Mandon Moore, during the midst of the battle. The attack is an assassination attempt orchestrated by Cersei Lannister, Tyrion’s bitter sister, who wants him out of the picture. Mandon Moore aims for Tyrion’s head, but in a desperate act of self-defense, Tyrion raises his hand to protect himself and loses his nose in the process.

The loss of his nose is a significant physical and emotional blow for Tyrion. Not only is he left disfigured, but he must also face the judgment and ridicule of others who see his appearance as a mark of his supposed guilt. This event further reinforces Tyrion’s status as an outcast and fuels his desire for justice and revenge.

The decision to change Tyrion’s disfigurement from a complete loss of the nose to a scar in the TV show is likely due to practical reasons. The visual effects and makeup required to portray a character without a nose consistently throughout the series would be challenging and potentially distracting. Therefore, the scar serves as a simplified representation of the injury, while still conveying the impact it has on Tyrion’s character.

While the TV show Game of Thrones depicts Tyrion Lannister with a facial scar, the original novels written by George R.R. Martin portray him losing his entire nose during the Battle of the Blackwater. This event plays a significant role in shaping Tyrion’s character and his subsequent actions throughout the series.