One of the most interesting characters in the show for me is Ser Jorah Mormont. In the books thus far, he has not received any viewpoint chapters. In the show however, he plays a far larger role and has been provided ample solo or primary camera time. Yet he’s a very curious character in attempting to dive into his mind. Obviously, he loves Daenerys and his entire purpose in the show appears to be aiding her cause at all cost. Why does he do this despite going through great personal sacrifice? All his problems are magnified because I feel that his main issue is that he’s not a direct person.
There’s a subreddit called “Inside Jorah’s Head.” I’m certain it’s not a coincidence where people find his actions various questionable at times. For instance, why does he not simply admit to Daenerys that he loves her outright? It isn’t until Tyrion Lannister has one of his initial meetings with Daenerys where he states the obvious. Similarly, while traveling with Tyrion, Ser Jorah only briefly speaks with Tyrion during his travels and only on what he feels are important matters. When Tyrion wakes up, he manages to deduce what the viewer has guessed about Ser Jorah thus far. The only way he receives any verification is through being knocked unconscious. And what’s more ironic is that Tyrion is on his way to meet Daenerys, which makes his capture an utter waste (not to mention bringing resentment). Because of the way Ser Jorah treats Tyrion initially, Ser Jorah loses a great ally who could have spoken on his behalf prior to Ser Jorah’s second banishment by Daenerys. Also, both Daenerys and Tyrion point out and highlight how Ser Jorah had numerous occasions to reveal the truth about his spying to her while not trusting how she would react.
In Season 6 episode 1, even Dario tells Jorah the obvious in that Jorah can never physically win Daenerys over. I think what this shows is his own lack of confidence, which is ironic considering that his sigil of the bear partially symbolizes confidence. Instead, we see a man who constantly is reminded of his own lack of self worth due to his physical appearance. The greyscale is more than a ticking time bomb in his body; it represents his need to unveil himself to Daenerys before he runs out of time.
Another way to look at Ser Jorah is how he comes from Bear Island. The Island aspect alludes to how he attempts to resolve everything on his own. Yet as the saying goes, “No man is an island unto himself.” Yet this is exactly the problem which stymies his ability to handle situations. His heart is in the right place but his mind is blocked off to everyone and he treats everyone like an outsider. It’s basically what you call “the island mentality” (cf Japan).
The thing is that his inability to change his core issue will lead to disaster for him. Right now, he hides from everyone the fact that he has greyscale. Eventually, he could cause a massive epidemic (in the novels Astapor becomes infected by the Bloody Flux and his situation may lead to something similar in the TV series).
Ultimately, what makes him sympathetic is that he’s like many ordinary men out there who lack confidence like a Dario and are used for one reason or another. Ser Jorah compromises himself because he is unable to convert his idealizations into something concrete; Tyrion once again points out that Ser Jorah’s abstract notions of how he is best able to serve Daenerys is completely flawed, an aspect that Ser Jorah may lack any self awareness, even when someone like Tyrion demonstrates the obvious. The result of how he traps these notions in fantasy within his head will ultimately spell his fall unless he finally makes a move. Generally for people like Ser Jorah, it becomes too late.