What does the song "Rains Of Castamere" signify?
Is there any special meaning or occasion associated with the song "Rains of Castamere" in Game of Thrones? In the eponymous 9th episode of the 3rd season I noticed
that as soon as most of the guests had left along with Edmure and his bride for the bedding ceremony, the gates were closed and the band began playing a different tune which happens to be the Rains of Castamere. As soon as the band started playing it, there was a sudden look of dread on Catelyn's face. IMO that set the gears in her mind in motion and she started to put together that this was a trap.
So I am beginning to assume there's some background involved with this song. Is there?
Best Answer
The big ploy about this song is that it is associated with the Lannister family line as a whole.
The look of horror that appears on her face is that of dread as the presence of this song means that the Frey's aren't their ally, but actually are with the Lannisters.
As stated and shown, it is truly a trap and one of the most shocking events in the whole book, dubbed The Red Wedding
Taken from the GoT Wiki for a better explanation of the origin of the song:
The Rains of Castamere immortalized the destruction of House Reyne by Tywin Lannister. House Reyne was obliterated after they rebelled against their liege lord, Tytos Lannister, who was perceived as weak by his own vassals. To restore Lannister dominance, Tytos' son, Tywin, marched against the upstart Lord Reyne. By the end of the rebellion, Castamere had been put to the torch and all members of House Reyne executed. The title is thus a play on words, as the "rains" fall over the empty halls of the "Reynes" who have been killed to the last man.
If one remembers, Cersi describes this act to Margaery before Sansa's wedding.
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What is the significance of The Rains of Castamere?
The Rains of Castamere immortalized the destruction of House Reyne by Tywin Lannister. House Reyne was obliterated after they rebelled against their liege lord, Tytos Lannister, who was perceived as weak by his own vassals. To restore Lannister dominance, Tytos' son, Tywin, marched against the upstart Lord Reyne.Why is The Rains of Castamere called the Red Wedding?
The title is a song belonging to the Lannister family, whose lyrics foreshadow the Red Wedding and which is played by the band at the wedding right before the slaughter begins.What is the song played at the Red Wedding?
In the years that followed, "Rains of Castamere" would play to both celebrate House Lannister and strike fear in the hearts of their enemies. The tune was famously played at the beginning of the Red Wedding, signaling the Freys alliance with the Lannisters and cuing the massacre's start.What kind of song is rains of Castamere?
The Rains of Castamere (song)"The Rains of Castamere"Song by The NationalGenreTelevision soundtrackLength2:23LabelVar\xe8se Sarabande5 more rowsGame Of Thrones: The Rains Of Castamere Explained
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Answer 2
Given its back history (explained by others here, so I won't bore you by doing it again), the song has become a well-known song of victory and/or revenge. It is a battle cry, of sorts, and in this case serves as a coded message to begin the attack. In the book, Cat knows that they have been betrayed as soon as she hears the opening notes of the song.
The song describes how the Lannisters crushed their enemy, who "betrayed" them by rebelling. In much the same fashion (as cats' paws for the Lannisters), the Freys crush those who-in their eyes-have betrayed them. Because the song tells of Lord Tywin's slaughter of the Reyne family, it also sends a message that the Lannisters are the ones who are truly responsible for the murder of the Stark family, who had the nerve to rebell against them.
Not only is the song a battle cry, it is also a not-so-subtle way of gloating, and serves as a future warning to anyone fool enough to cross them.
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