GOT Star Shares Controversial Take on LOTR Knighthood
A central distinction separating The Lord of the Rings and GOT is highlighted by a famous remark from the GOT author. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Indeed, Aragorn reigned for a century after the events of Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his governance remain unexplored. This type of questioning drives Martin’s own fantasy world, often dragging his protagonists into moral ambiguity in a way Aragorn avoided.
Exploring Knighthood in Different Realms
The upcoming GOT spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into these complexities through the beloved tale of Dunk (the actor) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). They encounter a series of perilous adventures in an age when the Targaryen dynasty continues to occupy the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have died out. During a recent panel, the actor reflected on one significant contrast between GOT and LOTR: the core meaning of chivalry.
“This world that Martin has built, there are a lot more sinister and adult themes that are presented. Much treachery and backstabbing, and it's hard to find your way,” Claffey said. “For a lot of individuals in Westeros, it works; this was true for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For a person to have the true knightly valor in that realm is something to genuinely admire, particularly in the land of Westeros. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to maintain the morals that chivalry has probably forgotten in this world on his quest in Ashford. In my view it takes a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Tolkien’s world.”
Following the panel, the actor attempted to soften that comment, fearing it might spark a conflict between the two fan communities and put him right in the crossfire. Of course, it prompted a follow-up conversation to further explore his perspective on how chivalry varies between the universes of Game of Thrones and LOTR.
Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms
According to the actor, a significant part of the distinction stems from the clashing tones between these two iconic fictional settings.
“There is so much more honor evident [in Middle-earth] due to the adult themes in GOT and Martin’s creation,” Claffey explained. “People get so far in roles and rank by doing terrible acts and betraying others, both physically and metaphorically. With the epic series that is The Lord of the Rings, you witness so much more honor, and aside from Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”
Rather than thinking knighthood is more difficult, the actor argues that in Westeros it’s more difficult to navigate while attempting to remain a decent warrior.
The Weight of Chivalry in Game of Thrones
“A knight with some status must have mental confusion,” he remarked, pointing to the ethically blurring anxiety that stems from attempting to survive the politics of the realm from the vantage point of a low-born fighter. Viewers have witnessed the pressure of knighthood throughout the franchise, with figures like Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones demonstrating how people under oath are compelled to betray their morals, and what it does to them psychologically.
However, although serving as a warrior in the Seven Kingdoms may be harder than in Tolkien’s realm, the actor is quick to admit that his role in The Hedge Knight is no match against the greatest that LOTR has to present.
“The Ranger defeats Dunk every time of the year,” Claffey declared, “I believe Martin probably agrees.”
