House of the Dragon’s Steve Toussaint compares Corlys with Macbeth’s Macduff

Corlys Velaryon is a fascinating character in House of the Dragon. He’s a member of House Velaryon, one of the most powerful in Westeros. He’s a deeply emotional and empathetic person who has experienced his share of triumphs and tragedies. In this fascinating exploration, we’ll delve into the parallels between Shakespeare’s themes and characters and those in House of the Dragon, and how this connection sheds light on the creative influences behind the show.

Corlys Velaryon and Macduff’s tragic fate

Actor Steve Toussaint was deeply struck by a perceptive remark from a Shakespeare enthusiast, who pointed out the striking similarity between Corlys Velaryon’s storyline in House of the Dragon and Macduff’s tragic tale in Macbeth. Both characters face unimaginable heartbreak, losing their entire families due to conflicts they are only tangentially connected to. This resonated deeply with Toussaint, who was intrigued by the parallels between Macduff’s emotional turmoil and Corlys’s anguish. Steve Toussaint in an interview with Esquire mentions,

“That’s so interesting. I’d never thought of that. You’re right. I’m thinking of the scene [in Macbeth] when Malcolm comes to him and says, “You’ve got to go back.” And he’s like, “Wait a minute, all my kids.” That’s very good. Wow. I’m going to go back and read that play again now, actually.”

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How are their fates parallel?

Steve Toussaint reflected on the powerful scene in Macbeth where Malcolm urges Macduff to take action against the tyrannical Macbeth, only for Macduff to be paralyzed by grief over the loss of his children. This heartbreaking moment echoes the pain and despair that Corlys faces in House of the Dragon, as he grapples with the devastating loss of his own family. The connection between the two characters’ experiences struck a chord with Toussaint, who plans to revisit Macbeth and explore potential influences on Corlys’s narrative.

“Although they aren’t complete comparisons, I always think of Coriolanus, this guy who’s this great warrior and then he has to pick a side. But now I think Macduff is actually much more accurate. Do you know what? Next time I see Mr. Martin or Ryan, I’m going to ask them if there were any thoughts of Macduff in there. Good call.”

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