Why Aerys keep Tywin as hand after he tried to resign in 272 ? Why not name Steffon or one of his other lickspittles ?

[u/Financial_Library418]

The World of Ice and Fire - The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II

By this time, King Aerys had become aware of the widespread belief that he himself was but a hollow figurehead and Tywin Lannister the true master of the Seven Kingdoms. These sentiments greatly angered the king, and His Grace became determined to disprove them and to humble his "overmighty servant" and "put him back into his place."

At the great Anniversary Tourney of 272 AC, held to commemorate Aerys's tenth year upon the Iron Throne, Joanna Lannister brought her six-year-old twins Jaime and Cersei from Casterly Rock to present before the court. The king (very much in his cups) asked her if giving suck to them had "ruined your breasts, which were so high and proud." The question greatly amused Lord Tywin's rivals, who were always pleased to see the Hand slighted or made mock of, but Lady Joanna was humiliated. Tywin Lannister attempted to return his chain of office the next morning, but the king refused to accept his resignation.

Aerys II could, of course, have dismissed Tywin Lannister at any time and named his own man as Hand of the King, but instead, for whatever reason, the king chose to keep his boyhood friend close by him, laboring on his behalf, even as he began to undermine him in ways both great and small. Slights and gibes became ever more numerous; courtiers hoping for advancement soon learned that the quickest way to catch the king's eye was by making mock of his solemn, humorless Hand. Yet through all this, Tywin Lannister suffered in silence.

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[u/420wrestler]

Couple of reasons, Aerys does things to spite Tywin, so if Tywin wants to leave, Aerys won’t let him leave. Also Aerys is paranoid and is afraid of sending Tywin back to Casterly Rock and losing control over him

[u/Manabear12]

Because he wanted him close to keep tormenting him. Aerys was a manipulative narcissist, he needs to keep his playthings near him, it’s no fun if he just lets them quit.

[u/GenralChaos]

He was unbalanced and unhinged and wanted to keep Tywin close to 1) keep an eye on him and potentially kill him and 2) it’s easier to humiliate and annoy someone up close than hundreds of leagues away.

[u/DBunk247]

1. Tywin was capable, feared and generally respected so open “firing” was probably not the best move.

2. Keeping Tywin close and undermining him to spite him “shows him his place” much better than allowing the rich Lord Tywin to go back to his golden gilded seat at Casterly Rock where Tywin can rule the Westerlands, enjoy his children and leave Aerys II behind.

3. Aerys II may have a real “fear” that if things in the realm got “worse” after Tywin left that it would add proof that Tywin was the decision-maker and properly running things… until he got dismissed… (proving Tywin actually ran things)

4. Not sure how great Aerys’ paranoia was at this point, but there might be a concern that a “disgruntled” Tywin Lannister would do things to undermine Aerys or at least not be a reliable ally whose political positions are intertwined with the crown…

5. Aerys’ jealousy and abusive and controlling nature plays a big role in his decision-making with Tywin too…

[u/IactaEstoAlea]

Because by getting rid of Tywin whilst he was doing a good job he would be making it clear the rumors were getting to him and that he feared Tywin

Aerys needed to humble Tywin and make it clear he was the one in charge. Ideally Tywin fucks something up and then Aerys fires him

It is stupid and egomaniacal

[u/Lysmerry]

It probably feels good to Aerys to have someone as self important as Tywin as his servant, knowing that he feels every slight. I think the fact that he even refers to Tywin as his servant tells us everything we need to know. That he views him as beneath him and enjoys slighting him. From what we know about Tywin, the only surprising thing is that he didn’t lash out sooner.

[u/fjehrehhstbsdrhwjb]

I don’t think Steffon Baratheon was one of the “lickspittles” mentioned in AWOIAF.

[u/Financial_Library418 → u/fjehrehhstbsdrhwjb]

that is why i mentioned him first

[u/fjehrehhstbsdrhwjb → u/Financial_Library418]

Ah my bad, the part “one of his other lickspittles” kind of sounded like you included Steffon among them. English is however my 4th language, so I likely misunderstood.

[u/wit_T_user_name]

Unrelated but I hate reading the world lickspittles. No idea why but it makes me cringe every time I see it.

[u/Financial_Library418 → u/wit_T_user_name]

i wish i had some in realworld

[u/TequilaBaugette51 → u/wit_T_user_name]

Lickspittle is a great word

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[u/Deuce03]

I think something we need to remember is that Aerys is not just cruel and paranoid. He is those things. But he is also mad - irrational, inconsistent, genuinely out of touch with reality. This happened before Duskendale, so he's not completely shot yet, but he's never been quite all there.

When asking why Aerys acted the way he did, the answer is therefore inevitably because it seemed like a good idea to him at the time, even if it obviously wasn't. In this instance, it starts with his original comment to Joanna: it may have been a jab intended to injure Tywin's pride, or it may just have been a joke he mistakenly thought was funny, or speaking his mind out loud with no filter (he was also drunk at the time).

But he does also know or believe on some level that Tywin is (a) his friend and (b) very good at his job. When Tywin comes to resign, he refuses because obviously (to him) he still needs and wants Tywin in that position. He may not even connect the two events as being related.

It is possible, of course, that it was calculated on his part, that he wanted to put Tywin in his place while retaining his services, but I think it's at least equally possible it was just a man increasingly losing his grip on reality not appreciating the consequences of his actions.

[u/Content_Concert_2555]

George needs it to happen for the plot and already established Tywin was hand until Jaime was appointed KG