Does Bayaz Reveal His True Motives In 'Before They Are Hanged'?

As a first-time Joe Abercrombie reader, I loved how Bayaz manipulated politics in 'The First Law' book one. In 'Before They Are Hanged', does the old wizard's secret agenda finally get exposed, or is his facade maintained?
2025-06-18 17:29:21
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Bayaz's true motives are kept deliberately ambiguous in 'Before They Are Hanged'. You get hints and glimpses of a grander, colder game at play, but a full, honest revelation isn't his style; Abercrombie lets the reader piece things together from his actions and the mounting contradictions. If you enjoy that slow, unsettling unveiling of a powerful character's hidden agenda, you might find the central dynamic in 'Revenge Born of Betrayal' compelling—it follows a protagonist who believes she's allied with a powerful mentor, only to gradually discover his manipulations are part of a much more personal and devastating betrayal she must unravel.
2026-07-21 15:49:52
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Quinn
Quinn
Library Roamer Driver
Bayaz’s motives in 'Before They Are Hanged' are like peeling an onion—layer after layer reveals something sharper. Early on, he presents himself as a wise old wizard helping the Union against the Gurkish threat. But his methods raise eyebrows. He casually sacrifices lives, twists Jezal’s mind with magic, and treats everyone as pawns. The big reveal isn’t a monologue; it’s in his ruthlessness. The way he handles the Seed, a weapon of mass destruction, shows he’s not just about defense. He wants control, maybe even vengeance against Khalul.

What’s chilling is how he mirrors the villains he claims to fight. His 'greater good' excuses sound eerily like Khalul’s rhetoric. The book’s genius is making you question who’s worse—the openly monstrous Gurkish or the 'civilized' Bayaz, who smiles while pulling strings. His true motive? Power, plain and simple. Not just political, but magical dominance. The sequel, 'Last Argument of Kings', confirms this, but 'Before They Are Hanged' plants the seeds masterfully.
2025-06-21 23:38:23
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Piper
Piper
Contributor Consultant
Reading 'Before They Are Hanged', I kept waiting for Bayaz to drop the act. He doesn’t, but his mask slips constantly. Take the library scene—he’s desperate to find the Seed, not just to 'save' the Union but because it’s a tool of conquest. His casual cruelty to Quai and dismissive attitude toward Ferro’s rage scream 'tyrant in disguise'. The man’s a chessmaster, and his pawns don’t even know they’re on the board.

Yet Abercrombie never spoon-feeds answers. Bayaz’s motives unfold through contrasts—his calm vs. others’ chaos, his 'advice' that always benefits him. The book’s title hints at it: everyone’s doomed, and Bayaz might be the hangman. For deeper dives, check out fan theories on r/TheFirstLaw or the 'Sharp Ends' short stories, which add more puzzle pieces.
2025-06-22 10:52:56
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Wyatt
Wyatt
Detail Spotter Translator
Bayaz is one of those characters who keeps you guessing throughout 'Before They Are Hanged'. He’s got this aura of wisdom and control, but there’s always a sense he’s playing a deeper game. While he doesn’t outright confess his true motives, his actions speak volumes. The way he manipulates events and people—especially Jezal and Logen—suggests he’s not just some benevolent mentor. His obsession with power and history hints at something darker, like he’s rebuilding an empire under the guise of guiding the Union. The book leaves breadcrumbs, but you’ll need to read between the lines to see his full hand.
2025-06-23 13:55:58
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