It’s interesting though because in some ways hyle hunt represents what society would see as a best case scenario for someone like brienne. We have seen the worst possible options for her for marriages, a cruel man who insults her and openly despises her and an old man who will not allow her to pursue her passions (with the underlying threat of domestic abuse if she does not obey him). Compared to them, hyle doesn’t seem so bad. Sure, he organized a bet on her virginity and never bothers to apologize. But he has developed some grudging respect for her, he wouldn’t stop her from fighting or dressing as she chooses.
But brienne doesn’t want that. And the narrative doesn’t want us to just accept that for brienne either. Because she doesn’t just deserve someone who begrudgingly accepts her, who closes his eyes when he fucks her, who openly admits he only wants her for her titles and land. Brienne deserves love. She deserves someone who sees her for all she is (almost a beauty and almost a knight!!!), who loves and accepts all parts of her, who challenges her, who respects her, who wants her; not for land, not for a bet, not to abuse her, but to love and cherish her because it’s what she deserves!!!!!
Compare this with Jaime. In theory, Jaime could have pretty much any woman (and probably most men tbh) that he wants. He’s handsome, he’s rich, he’s a legendary sword fighter. As evidenced by his encounters with Pia and Hildy, many women don’t even seem all that bothered by the missing hand (except for cersei) but brienne is maybe the only one who knows him, really knows him. She has seen him at his ugliest, his weakest. She knows his deepest secrets. And she still wants him!!
Like it’s crazy you have two people who are presented with options for love and romance that society says they should settle for, but they don’t want it. And they have someone they aren’t supposed to love but they do anyway because of how deeply they know each other.
Jaime’s not supposed to want someone like brienne, an ugly woman who fails at performing her gender. Brienne’s not supposed to want someone like Jaime, a kingslayer whose foul deeds stand in contrast to her ideals of knighthood. But they know each other and they want each other anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s crazy grrm invented romance actually.
I don't think it's crazy at all. It's actually very simple.
They are both romantic people who don't want to be with someone they don't love. Ugly or beautiful, it doesn't really matter in truth.
The problem is that their world doesn't care about romance, especially for nobility. But they, especially Brienne, have the courage to hold to their beliefs. Brienne prefers to die the knight she isn't than to marry someone for the sake of propriety.
And Jaime chooses to be sexually inactive rather than be with someone who isn't Brienne he doesn't love.
The crazy, and sad, thing, is that in our world, people will prefer to "settle down" rather than being single. That's what I'd call bat shit crazy.
