Game of Thrones Star Reveals Spicy Opinion on LOTR Chivalry

A central distinction separating The Lord of the Rings and GOT is illustrated by an often-cited remark from the GOT author. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Indeed, the King of Gondor ruled for a century after the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his rule remain vague. This type of questioning drives Martin’s own fictional universe, often dragging his protagonists into ethical gray areas in a way the LOTR hero avoided.

Exploring Knighthood in Different Fantasy Worlds

HBO’s next Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into this moral mud through the fan-favorite tale of Dunk (the actor) and Aegon Targaryen (Dexter Sol Ansell). They face a series of dangerous exploits in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the throne but their fearsome dragons have gone extinct. At a recent panel, the actor reflected on one significant difference between Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings: the very definition of knighthood.

“The universe that Martin has built, it contains a lot more sinister and adult themes that are explored. Much betrayal and backstabbing, and it's hard to find your way,” he stated. “For a lot of people in Westeros, it pays off; it did for Petyr Baelish for a long time. For a person to have the actual chivalric honor in that realm is a quality to genuinely admire, particularly in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s need to maintain the ethics that knighthood has largely abandoned in Westeros on his quest in Ashford. In my view it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth.”

Following the discussion, the actor attempted to walk back that comment, fearing it might spark a war between the two fandoms and put him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a follow-up interview to delve into his perspective on how chivalry differs between the universes of GOT and The Lord of the Rings.

Clashing Tones in Fictional Realms

According to the star, a significant part of the difference comes down to the clashing styles between these two iconic fantasy worlds.

“You find so much more honor present [in Tolkien’s world] due to the adult themes in Game of Thrones and George’s world,” he said. “Characters rise to power in roles and status by committing terrible acts 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 honor, and aside from the dark Vala or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Instead of believing knighthood is harder, Claffey argues that in Westeros it’s more difficult to maneuver while attempting to remain a honorable warrior.

The Burden of Chivalry in Game of Thrones

“A warrior with some status must have some head fog,” he remarked, referring to the morality-clouding stress that stems from trying to navigate the politics of the realm from the vantage point of a humble knight. Audiences have seen the stress of chivalry across the franchise, with characters like Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones demonstrating how people bound by vows are compelled to betray their principles, 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 concede that his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is no match against the greatest 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 probably agrees.”