Does Ser Jorah Make Bad Decisions or Just Bad Luck?

My favorite statement regarding Ser Jorah Mormont is when someone said that exposure to a pretty girl gives him 5 Strength, 3 Dexterity, and -10 Wisdom. This encapsulates his character perfectly, as his actions often stem from a combination of luck and impulsive decision-making.

Bad Decisions and Bad Luck

Ser Jorah's origin story is a prime example of both bad decisions and bad luck. After being given a handkerchief by Lynesse Hightower, he suddenly becomes a formidable jousting competitor and wins a tourney through luck and skill. His inability to repeat this success later in life shows that it was more luck than skill, and he goes on to make a hasty decision that should have been obvious to anyone: marrying the daughter of one of the richest houses in Westeros despite his own poverty and her wealth. This decision was utterly foolish and doomed from the start.

Driven by love, he not only beggared himself to fulfill his new wife's desires but also turned to slavery to support her. Despite these measures, he was still exiled and lost his love. One could argue that his failure was inevitable because he failed to think clearly about the consequences of his actions and only acted on emotion.

Worse Decisions with Daenerys Targaryen

With Daenerys Targaryen, Ser Jorah made similar mistakes. He put himself and his men in danger by fighting off Bloodriders and conquering cities for her. However, he never registered that he would not end up with her. Instead, he kept following her like a lost puppy, even knowing she did not reciprocate his feelings. Almost all of his misfortunes can be traced back to his bad decisions and his tendency to act impulsively, driven by love and misplaced loyalty.

Debt and Slavery: A Clear Example of Bad Decision-Making

A clear combination of bad decisions and luck was Ser Jorah's decision to attempt to recreate the lifestyle his wife was used to. The Hightowers are a rich house, whereas the Mormonts are not. Jorah could have avoided this debt by selling the poachers he captured, but he needed to be more careful to avoid spreading the news. With extremely loyal men, he could have reduced the risk of someone exposing his actions, but he didn't take this step.

The Valyrian Ruins Misadventure

The ruins of Valyria provide another compelling example of both bad decisions and bad luck. In theory, travelling through Valyria was a good idea, as pirates and other seafarers avoided the area due to the belief that demons roamed there. Unfortunately, Ser Jorah forgot that stone men inhabit the ruins, unlike demons. Tyrion Lannister did not face this threat, as he was not in the area when the stone man attacked. The lesson here is that even in seemingly safe situations, one must remain vigilant to avoid danger.

Conclusion

It is a mix of both bad decisions and bad luck that define Ser Jorah's actions in Westeros. His decisions often stemmed from a lack of foresight and emotional impulsiveness, but at other times, he faced situations where the outcome was beyond his control. Understanding the balance between these factors can provide insight into why Ser Jorah acts the way he does throughout the series.