I'm currently rereading ASOIAF, and I'm struck by how much Stannis and Dany are foils.
Both are heavily motivated by their perceived duty to Westeros and their houses. Stannis believes, as Robert's true heir, he must take the Iron Throne, no matter the cost. Dany believes her duty as the last Targaryen is to retake her family's throne and kingdom.
However, the truth of their characters are revealed in how much they're willing to sacrifice. Stannis is willing to burn the religion he was raised in, his sworn lords, even his own family to put himself on the throne. He killed his brother, used his nephew's blood and was willing to eventually kill him, and GRRM revealed he would ultimately sacrifice Shireen, his own daughter.
That's not even counting the hundreds if not thousands of small folk and soldiers he's willing to/did kill in his war and his attempt to kill Mance Rayder's son. In Stannis' quest for the throne, he's made it clear he's willing to sacrifice everything. This shows, however, that a large part of his supposed duty is actually his own pride.
When given opportunities to ally with others, which would both help his cause and limit the number of sacrifices (both literal and figurative) necessary, he almost always refuses. In his eyes, preserving his pride by not working with those he views as lesser than is more important than the lives of those around him.
Daenerys is also motivated by her duty to her house, however, that is the most superficial part of her character. In ACOK through ADWD, Dany puts her ambitions aside for the good of those around her. She rejects opportunities to gain armies and leave for Westeros as early as ACOK. In ASOS she sees the suffering around her and refuses to participate or even ignore it.
When push comes to shove, Stannis will always sacrifice everyone around him in the name of his duty/ambitions. Dany constantly puts her idea of duty to her House aside so save those around her.
In every chapter from Davos' POV, we are reminded that Stannis is just above all else. And yet, he commits atrocities over and over. How is burning his bannermen for not agreeing with his religion justice? How is holding his innocent nephew captive to use his blood in rituals/planning to murder him just in any way?
An important part of justice that Stannis and his stans like to ignore is protecting the weak. Justice is so much more than punishing people, it's rewarding, helping, and (I reiterate) protecting people as well. Stannis seemed to have some kind of grasp on this before the events of the books, but he has forsaken it, while still clinging to his veneer of self-righteousness.
Dany also emphasizes justice in her chapters, but, unlike Stannis, she actually follows through with this idea continuously. From as early as AGOT, Dany has understood the truth of justice and practiced it to the best of her ability. Yes, she punishes those who deserve it (like literal slavers), but she always strives to do right by those around her.
Stannis' actions have ultimately led to him being almost completely abandoned. He has no support outside of Melisandre and the Florents, and even Melisandre is close to betraying him. Dany's actions have led to her gaining supporters not only all over Essos, but also in Westeros.
Stannis and Dany may have similar motivations on the surface, but at their cores, they couldn't be more different. Dany is a fundamentally caring and gracious person, who is already a great queen. Stannis is cold, cruel, and puts his own pride before anything else.
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