Ned Stark is the patriarch of the Stark family and the Warden of the North for his friend King Robert I Baratheon. He embodies the theme of Duty and Honor. His sense of honor defines him and tragically leads to his death since he naively believes that others share his values. From the beginning of the novel, Ned adheres to a strict sense of moral principles even when doing so hurts him or makes him or someone close to him unhappy. He personally executes a man where other lords would hire an executioner, houses his illegitimate son in his household while other men ignore their children born out of wedlock, accepts the job of Hand of the King because he feels a sense of duty to his friend and to the Seven Kingdoms, and follows the king’s orders even when he personally disagrees with them. Ned also teaches his children to uphold the moral principles he believes constitute an honorable life.

Though he is bound to his idea of honor, the presence of Jon Snow in his house is a constant reminder that he may not be the honorable man he presents himself as to the world.