I was thinking after the most recent Game of Thrones episode - it was clear that Tyrion was going to be found guilty anyway according to Tywin's plan. He drove Jaime into making the deal he was planning to make all along, which in turn would make Tyrion plead for mercy (as it was Jaime who was asking Tyrion to do that).
In my opinion the single thing that drove Tyrion over the edge and ruined Tywin's plan (to send Tyrion to the Wall and make Jaime produce offspring to continue the family line) was Shae's testimony to the court. I can't possibly believe that Tywin was not aware of the list of witnesses and of the effect Shae's appearance and words might have on Tyrion.
So the question is - why did he allow her to testify? Just to humiliate Tyrion even more? Why did he not consider the possibility that her appearance might enrage Tyrion and drive him to demand the trial by combat thus ruining the initial plan?
Answer
I wouldn't necessarily go so far as to say his goal is simply to humiliate Tyrion. Whenever there are recollections of Tyrion's past and his father's treatment of him, they seem to be in response to Tyrion's behaviors that his father considers antithetical to "being a Lannister" and seem to be extreme lessons to toughen him up.
Tyrion lives his life in pursuit of base pleasures and takes very little seriously. His father lives a humorless life in pursuit of solidifying the family legacy. Though he blames Tyrion for his mother and despises his physical limitations, his treatment of Tyrion doesn't seem simply emotional and reactionary.
He's the same with Jaime and Cersei - his treatment of them is similarly to forge them into the Lannister image - it just isn't nearly as extreme. His lesson with Shae is "I told you not to fraternize with whores, you did, now I'll show you the consequences of your misplaced trust."
Cruel lessons, but lessons nonetheless.
Another thing I thought of
His betrothal to Sansa Stark - she's by all accounts one of the most desirable girls in Kings Landing. Pretty, a maiden, and most importantly, the perceived heir to Winterfell. If Tywin's goal was humiliation, he could've arranged a different marriage. But Tywin cares about Lannister appearances first and foremost, so like the arranged marriages for Cersei and attempted one for Jaime, he sought out a suitable match befitting a Lannister. No matter what he personally thinks of Tyrion, he wouldn't do anything just to humiliate Tyrion, and by extension the Lannister family. His actions seem to have a purpose.
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