Handsome, Handless, Polarizing: Facts about Jaime Lannister worth knowing
What's the story
The most 'hand'some man in Westeros could've gotten any woman he wanted. Instead, he chose to have children with his twin sister. He was arguably the best swordsman alive but had his dominant hand cut off by someone whose name you probably don't know (it was Locke). Here are some facts about the kid-throwing, sister-bedding, ethically-questionable man on a path of redemption, Jaime Lannister.
Runs in the family
His incestuous tendencies may have been genetic
Tywin Lannister in the show is someone who defines the word authoritative. What not many people know that he married his cousin, Joanna Lannister because he loved her. She was the mother of Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion. It was said that Tywin "was ruled at home by his lady wife." It is possible that incest simply runs in the Lannister family.
The Best
He is/was arguably the greatest swordsman in the seven kingdoms
He almost bested Ned Stark in Season 1 and has been known to win most of the battles in his life. Jaime, himself, can't seem to think of anyone better than him at swordplay. If he still had his hand, who knows, he might've ended the Night King! Also, did you know that Jaime lost the will to live when his hand was taken?
Too Dark
The redeemable Jaime could have been the evilest character ever
Jaime is no saint. He has done some ethically questionable things but his character arc is progressing toward redemption. His original character, however, was significantly darker. In George RR Martin's original synopsis, he was meant to succeed Joffrey, kill everyone that came in his way (including Tommen and Myrcella) and blame it all on Tyrion. Well, there's surely no redemption from all that!
The Prophecy
The one who would free the world from Cersei's tyranny
When Cersei was a child, a witch told her that she would outlive her children and lose everything. When that happens, she'd be killed by the Valonqar (Valyrian for little brother). All her life, she believed that Tyrion will try to kill her, but a lot of fans have pointed out that Jaime is also her younger brother. What an interesting turn of events.