Eunuch
A eunuch is a man who has been castrated or emasculated, either prior to puberty or afterwards. Most people would not volunteer their young sons to become eunuchs and most men would not choose to be castrated or emasculated. Therefore, most eunuchs are slaves who have had no choice in the matter. The most famous eunuchs are the Unsullied.
Eunuchs in Essos
Eunuchs are far more common in Essos than Westeros, where they make popular slaves. In Yunkai, slaves are made into eunuchs by cutting only the testicles off. [1] The Yunkai also geld boys in order to produce castrati slaves. Yurkhaz zo Yunzak owns a group of Yunkish castrati slaves who sing songs in the ancient tongues of the Old Empire. Their voices are high and sweet and impossibly pure.
The Dothraki dosh khaleen are served by eunuchs.[2]
The Unsullied are eunuch slave soldiers, trained from a young age in Astapor. They are fully castrated - penis and testicles cut - and their manhoods burned at the altar of the Lady of Spears.
Eunuchs in Westeros
In Westeros castration appears to serve more as a severe punishment and deterrent. [3] Varys is a known eunuch who has risen to the influential and powerful position of Master of Whisperers. However, he was made a eunuch in Myr, not Westeros.
Known eunuchs
- Varys - (emasculated)
- Grey Worm - (emasculated)
- Hero - (emasculated)
- Stalwart Shield - (emasculated)
- Strong Belwas
- Ser Lucamore Strong – (castrated) - gelded as punishment
- {unconfirmed} Theon Greyjoy - Ramsay Bolton may have removed his genitals
Quotes
A eunuch has no honor, and a spider does not enjoy the luxury of scruples, my lord.[4]
- Varys to Eddard Stark
I've never been quite sure what the point of a eunuch is, if truth be told. It seems to me they're only men with the useful bits cut off."[5]
- the Queen of Thorns
Even those who lack a man’s parts may still have a man’s heart, Your Grace.[6]
What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?[7]
References and Notes
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 46, Daenerys V.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 6, Sansa I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.