Syrio Forel is a fictional character from George RR Matin's A Song of Ice and Fire and the HBO adapted series Game of Thrones. This character is played by the English actor Militos Yerolemou. Forel was the First Sword of Braavos and master of the Water Dance fighting technique.
This technique is characterized by being a refined style of fencing, with principles based on speed, speed and flexibility when making an attack. He spent nine years serving as First Sword, until he was hired by Eddard Stark to take charge of the training of his daughter Arya, who was in King's Landing.
It is believed that the role of Syrio Forel in the story is vital, because thanks to him Arya managed to have a greater contact with the use of the sword and with combat. These lessons will serve you well throughout the story.
Situation in Game of Thrones
According to the context of the character, Syrio Forel comes from the Free City, Braavos, where he served as Checker and First Sword for nine years, and later left for King's Landing.
In that same place, Eddark Stark - who was there because he was Robert Baratheon's Hand of the King - learned that his daughter Arya had a sword (called Needle), the product of a gift from Jon Snow.
Because Arya did not have the proper training to use it, Ned Stark decides to hire Forel's services thanks to his skills as a swordsman.
From that moment, Forel begins to teach Arya the use of the Braavosi-style sword, called the Water Dance. Both decide to keep the training secret, to the point that it is believed that Arya is more likely taking dance classes.
First season
Apart from the events reported above, the following can be highlighted:
-The training sessions are carried out with wooden swords. Forel explains to Arya that the "dance" he is about to teach her is a gentle, flexible but equally deadly technique.
-In these sessions, Forel tells you the importance of detecting the movements of your opponent with each part of your body and controlling your fears. That is why he urges you to use blindfolds to enhance your ability to perceive.
-One day Eddard finds her on some steps in the Tower of the Hand. While waving her arms to keep her balance, she tells her father that her teacher instructed her to improve her balance. At this, her father insists that she tell Forel if she doesn't feel capable of something or if she feels pressure, but Arya is very excited about the training.
-After Mycah's execution by order of King Joffrey, Forel reminded Arya that she should always focus on the moment so that her feelings would not disturb her mind - and thus her abilities - during combat.
-After Eddard's arrest for treason, Cersei Lannister orders that every member and servant of House Stark be captured or killed. The royal guard and Ser Mery Trant are sent to capture Arya. They find her in full training; Arya took refuge behind Forel and Forel, with only a wooden sword, disarmed all the men.
-At that moment Forel ordered Arya to leave. She responded by asking him to accompany her, and Forel replied: "The First Sword of Braavos does not flee." It is there when it is understood that Forel continued his fight against Ser Meryn.
Seasons 4 and 5
Although she was unable to know Forel's fate, Arya is almost certain that Forel perished at the hands of Ser Meryn.
Later, in the fifth season, Arya decided to take revenge on the murderer of her teacher after posing as a prostitute girl. In the last seconds of her life Arya tried to make sure her victim knew that a Stark had killed him.
Actor
Syrio Forel was played by the English actor of Greek descent Miltos Yerolemou, who also appeared in the film productions Star Wars: the force awakens and The Danish girl.
Early in his career he was part of the Hububb series and in the film adaptation of Shakespeare's play, The Winter's Tale.
After his participation in the series, Yerolemou participated in other BBC productions, such as Wolf hall, New blood and Tulip fever. Currently she continues to work in the world of theater.
Curiosities
-In the books Syrio Forel is described as a bald man with an aquiline nose, while in the series the character is rather stocky, with curly hair and a beard. However, George RR Martin indicated that appearance was not too important, since all that was necessary was the interpretation of the character.
-Forel told Arya how he had been chosen as the First Sword, thanks to his strength, dexterity and his ability of perception, which allowed him to stand out from the rest.
-It is said that the Free Cities are similar to the medieval Italian cities that were near the Mediterranean. That is why Yerolemou preferred to give his character a Greek accent.
-The confrontation between Ser Meryn Trant and Syrio Forel was almost exactly the one described in the books, except for the moment when Forel disarms the guards with the wooden sword.
-It is speculated that Jaqen H'ghar, who knows Arya's true identity, could be Forel himself.
-Throughout the plot, Arya uses Forel's words and teachings to give her strength in the most difficult moments.
Quotes
- "Fire cannot kill a dragon."
- "Boy or girl, you are a sword, nothing else matters."
- “All men are made of water, did you know? When you prick them, the water escapes and they die ”.
- “Stop right now! What are they? Men or dogs? Only a dog would be capable of threatening a girl ”.
- “Fast as a deer. Silent as a shadow. Fearness hurts more than swords. The man who fears defeat has already been defeated. And, above all, never do what they expect ”.
- “There is only one god and his name is Death. And there is only one thing that we say to Death: not today ”.
References
- Dancer of the water. (sf). On a Wiki of Ice and Fire. Retrieved: May 1, 2018. On Ice and Fire Wiki by ice and fire.wikia.com.
- 50 Game of Thrones phrases that you should never forget. (sf). On MSN Entertainment. Retrieved: May 1, 2018. On MSN Entertainment at msn.com.
- List of A Song of Ice and Fire characters. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 1, 2018. In Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org.
- Milos Yerolemu. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 1, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
- First Sword of Braavos. (sf). On a Wiki of Ice and Fire. Retrieved: May 1, 2018. On Ice and Fire Wiki by ice and fire.wikia.com.
- Syrio Forel. (sf). On Game of Thrones Wiki. Retrieved: May 1, 2018. On Game of Thrones Wiki at gameofthrones.wikia.com.
- Syrio Forel. (sf). On a Wiki of Ice and Fire. Retrieved: May 1, 2018. On Ice and Fire Wiki by ice and fire.wikia.com.