GOT Actor Reveals Spicy Opinion on LOTR Chivalry
One central difference between The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones is illustrated by an often-cited remark from George R.R. Martin. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, Aragorn reigned for a century after the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the specifics of his rule remain unexplored. This type of inquiry drives Martin’s own fictional universe, often plunging his protagonists into ethical gray areas in a way the LOTR hero never would.
Delving into Chivalry in Different Fantasy Worlds
The upcoming Game of Thrones series, The Hedge Knight, will delve into this moral mud through the fan-favorite story of Dunk (the actor) and Aegon Targaryen (the young star). They face multiple dangerous exploits in an era when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have died out. During a recent panel, the actor reflected on one significant difference between GOT and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of knighthood.
“The universe that Martin has created, there are a lot more sinister and adult themes that are explored. A lot of treachery and backstabbing, and it's hard to find your way,” Claffey stated. “For a lot of people in this world, it pays off; it did for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For somebody to have the actual chivalric honor in that realm is something to genuinely admire, especially in the land of Westeros. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to maintain the ethics that knighthood has probably forgotten in Westeros on his quest in the tourney. In my view it requires a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Middle-earth.”
Following the discussion, the actor tried to walk back that comment, concerned it might spark a conflict between the two fandoms and put him right in the crossfire. Of course, it prompted a follow-up interview to further explore his perspective on how knighthood varies between the worlds of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.
Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms
According to the actor, a significant part of the difference comes down to the clashing tones between these two iconic fantasy worlds.
“There is so much more honor evident [in Tolkien’s world] because of the mature content in GOT and George’s world,” Claffey explained. “People rise to power in roles and rank by doing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, literally and figuratively. With the glorious trilogy that is The Lord of the Rings, you see so much more nobility, and aside from Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”
Rather than thinking chivalry is harder, the actor believes that in Westeros it’s tougher to maneuver while attempting to remain a honorable warrior.
The Burden of Knighthood in Westeros
“A knight with a certain rank must have mental confusion,” he remarked, referring to the ethically blurring anxiety that stems from trying to navigate the scheming of Westeros from the perspective of a low-born fighter. Viewers have seen the pressure of chivalry across the series, with figures like Ser Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in GOT exploring how individuals under oath are forced to betray their morals, and what it does to them internally.
However, although serving as a warrior in Westeros may be harder than in Middle-earth, Claffey is still willing to admit that his character in The Hedge Knight wouldn’t stand a chance against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to present.
“The Ranger beats Dunk’s ass any day of the week,” Claffey declared, “I believe George would concur.”