🔗 Share this article

A central difference between The Lord of the Rings and GOT can be highlighted by an often-cited observation from the GOT author. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, Aragorn ruled for 100 years after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his governance remain unexplored. This type of inquiry fuels Martin’s own fictional universe, often plunging his characters into moral ambiguity in a way the LOTR hero avoided.

Delving into Knighthood in Different Realms

The upcoming GOT series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into these complexities through the beloved story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Egg (the young star). They encounter a series of dangerous exploits in an age when the Targaryen line continues to occupy the throne but their mighty beasts have gone extinct. At a comic con discussion, the actor reflected on one significant contrast between GOT and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of knighthood.

“The universe that George has created, it contains a lot more dark and adult themes that are presented. A lot of treachery and deceit, and it’s challenging to find your way,” Claffey stated. “For a lot of individuals in Westeros, it pays off; this was true for Littlefinger for a long time. For somebody to have the true knightly valor in that world is a quality to really look up to, especially in the land of Westeros. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to uphold the ethics that chivalry has probably forgotten in Westeros on his quest in the tourney. I think it requires a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth.”

After the discussion, Claffey attempted to walk back that statement, fearing it might spark a conflict between the two fandoms and place him right in the crossfire. Of course, it prompted a follow-up interview to delve into his perspective on how knighthood differs between the universes of GOT and The Lord of the Rings.

Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds

According to the star, a major part of the difference stems from the contrasting styles between these two iconic fictional settings.

“There is so much more honor evident [in Tolkien’s world] due to the mature content in GOT and Martin’s creation,” Claffey explained. “People get so far in positions and status by committing terrible acts and betraying others, literally and figuratively. In the epic series that is The Lord of the Rings, you see so much more honor, and other than the dark Vala or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”

Rather than thinking chivalry is more difficult, Claffey believes that in Westeros it’s more difficult to navigate while attempting to remain a decent warrior.

The Burden of Knighthood in Game of Thrones

“A knight with some status must have mental confusion,” he remarked, pointing to the morality-clouding anxiety that stems from attempting to survive the politics of Westeros from the vantage point of a low-born knight. Viewers have witnessed the pressure of chivalry across the franchise, with figures like Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in GOT exploring how people under oath are forced to betray their principles, and what it does to them internally.

However, while being a knight in the Seven Kingdoms may be more difficult than in Middle-earth, the actor is quick to concede that his role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to offer.

“Aragorn beats Dunk’s ass every time of the year,” he declared, “I believe Martin would concur.”