I'm of two minds with this. On one hand, I can see Joffrey doing this all on his own regardless of any lack of age, intelligence or cunning the boy is pure and simple a product of an upbringing that wants power and is used to getting it without any question. He had to have known that Ned wanted Tywin to have to answer for his bannerman's actions. Similarly he had to have known that Tyrion had been held by Catelyn Stark. On top of that, in episode 3 ("Lord Snow") he had a conversation with Cersei about disliking and not trusting the Starks Cersei: "Soon you will sit on the throne and the truth will be what you make it." Joffrey: "Do I have to marry her?" Cersei: ".Yes. ...you are my darling boy and the world will be exactly as you want it to be...a good king knows when to save his strength and when to destroy his enemies." Joffrey: "So you agree, the Starks are enemies." Cersei: "Anyone who isn't us is an enemy."
I don't think Cersei planted the idea into his head, I think she only confirmed whatever his suspicions about the Starks may have been. He knew the people, and the nobility, loved the Starks and one less Stark to stir up trouble, the better. To boot, Ned did tell Joffrey that he had no claim to the throne and that's a comment that has to stick with you.
I guess my idea is that I think it's totally within Joffrey's capability to do something like this without outside help.
That said, Littlefinger has no love for Ned as he married Catelyn, the girl he loves. If he were to whisper some words into Joffrey's ear I wouldn't be surprised.
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Date: 2011-06-13 06:18 pm (UTC)Cersei: "Soon you will sit on the throne and the truth will be what you make it."
Joffrey: "Do I have to marry her?"
Cersei: ".Yes. ...you are my darling boy and the world will be exactly as you want it to be...a good king knows when to save his strength and when to destroy his enemies."
Joffrey: "So you agree, the Starks are enemies."
Cersei: "Anyone who isn't us is an enemy."
I don't think Cersei planted the idea into his head, I think she only confirmed whatever his suspicions about the Starks may have been. He knew the people, and the nobility, loved the Starks and one less Stark to stir up trouble, the better. To boot, Ned did tell Joffrey that he had no claim to the throne and that's a comment that has to stick with you.
I guess my idea is that I think it's totally within Joffrey's capability to do something like this without outside help.
That said, Littlefinger has no love for Ned as he married Catelyn, the girl he loves. If he were to whisper some words into Joffrey's ear I wouldn't be surprised.