Game of Thrones Star Shares Controversial Take on Lord of the Rings Chivalry
A key difference between The Lord of the Rings and GOT is illustrated by a famous remark from George R.R. Martin. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Indeed, Aragorn ruled for 100 years after the conclusion of Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his governance remain vague. Such inquiry fuels Martin’s own fictional universe, often plunging his characters into ethical gray areas in a way Aragorn never would.
Exploring Knighthood in Two Realms
The upcoming GOT series, The Hedge Knight, aims to dive into this moral mud through the beloved story of Dunk (the actor) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). They encounter a series of dangerous exploits in an age when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have died out. During a comic con discussion, the actor reflected on one significant difference between GOT and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of chivalry.
“This world that Martin has created, it contains a lot more sinister and mature subjects that are presented. Much betrayal and backstabbing, and it's hard to navigate,” he stated. “For a lot of individuals in this world, it pays off; this was true for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For somebody to have the true knightly valor in that world is a quality to really look up to, particularly in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. So I really adore Dunk’s commitment to maintain the morals that chivalry has largely abandoned in this world through his journey in the tourney. In my view it requires a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Tolkien’s world.”
After the discussion, Claffey attempted to soften that comment, concerned it might spark a conflict between the two fan communities and place him right in the crossfire. Naturally, this led to a deeper conversation to delve into his thoughts on how knighthood differs between the worlds of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.
Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms
According to the star, a major part of the difference stems from the clashing tones between these two iconic fantasy worlds.
“There is so much more integrity present [in Middle-earth] because of the adult themes in GOT and George’s world,” he said. “Characters rise to power in positions and status by committing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, literally and figuratively. In the glorious trilogy that is The Lord of the Rings, you witness so much more honor, and aside from Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”
Instead of thinking knighthood is more difficult, Claffey argues that in Westeros it’s tougher to maneuver while trying to be a honorable warrior.
The Burden of Knighthood in Westeros
“A warrior with some status must have some head fog,” he said, pointing to the ethically blurring stress that comes from attempting to survive the politics of Westeros from the vantage point of a low-born knight. Viewers have witnessed the stress of knighthood throughout the franchise, with figures like Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones exploring how people bound by vows are forced to betray their morals, and what it does to them internally.
That said, while serving as a warrior in Westeros may be harder than in Middle-earth, the actor is quick to admit that his role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the best that LOTR has to offer.
“The Ranger beats Dunk every time of the week,” he said, “I’d say George probably agrees.”
