Game of Thrones Actor Reveals Spicy Opinion on Lord of the Rings Knighthood
One key difference separating The Lord of the Rings and GOT can be illustrated by an often-cited observation from the GOT author. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, Aragorn ruled for 100 years after the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the specifics of his governance remain vague. This type of inquiry fuels Martin’s own fictional universe, often dragging his protagonists into ethical gray areas in a way Aragorn never would.
Exploring Chivalry in Different Fantasy Worlds
HBO’s next Game of Thrones series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, aims to dive into these complexities through the fan-favorite story of Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (the young star). They encounter multiple perilous adventures in an age when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have gone extinct. During a comic con discussion, the actor reflected on one significant difference between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the core meaning of knighthood.
“This world that George has built, there are a lot more dark and adult themes that are presented. Much betrayal and backstabbing, and it’s challenging to navigate,” Claffey said. “And for a lot of individuals in this world, it pays off; it did for Littlefinger for a long time. For a person to have the true knightly valor in that world is something to really look up to, especially in the land of Westeros. So I really adore Dunk’s need to uphold the ethics that chivalry has probably forgotten in this world through his journey in the tourney. I think it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth.”
Following the panel, the actor tried to walk back that comment, fearing it might ignite a war between the two fandoms and place him squarely in the middle. Of course, it prompted a follow-up interview to further explore his perspective on how chivalry differs between the universes of Game of Thrones and LOTR.
Clashing Tones in Fictional Realms
According to the actor, a major part of the difference comes down to the clashing styles between these two iconic fantasy worlds.
“There is so much more integrity evident [in Tolkien’s world] due to the mature content in Game of Thrones and George’s world,” he explained. “People get so far in roles and rank by doing terrible acts and stabbing people in the back, literally and figuratively. With the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you witness so much more nobility, and aside from Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”
Rather than believing chivalry is more difficult, the actor believes that in Westeros it’s tougher to maneuver while attempting to remain a honorable warrior.
The Weight of Chivalry in Game of Thrones
“A knight with a certain rank must have mental confusion,” he remarked, pointing to the morality-clouding stress that stems from attempting to survive the scheming of Westeros from the vantage point of a low-born fighter. Audiences have seen the pressure of knighthood across the series, with characters like Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones exploring how people bound by vows are compelled to betray their principles, and the impact to them psychologically.
That said, although serving as a warrior in the Seven Kingdoms may be more difficult than in Tolkien’s realm, Claffey is quick to concede that his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is no match against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to offer.
“Aragorn beats Dunk’s ass every time of the week,” Claffey said, “I’d say George would concur.”