Game of Thrones Actor Shares Controversial Take on Lord of the Rings Knighthood
One key distinction separating LOTR and GOT is highlighted by a famous observation from George R.R. Martin. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, the King of Gondor ruled for a century after the events of Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his governance remain vague. Such inquiry drives Martin’s own fictional universe, often plunging his protagonists into moral ambiguity in a way Aragorn never would.
Exploring Chivalry in Two Fantasy Worlds
The upcoming GOT spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, aims to dive into these complexities through the beloved story of Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). They face multiple perilous adventures in an age when the Targaryen line continues to occupy the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have died out. At a recent panel, Claffey commented on one significant contrast between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the very definition of knighthood.
“The universe that George has built, there are a lot more dark and mature subjects that are explored. Much betrayal and backstabbing, and it's hard to find your way,” he said. “For a lot of individuals in this world, it pays off; it did for Littlefinger for a long time. For somebody to have the true knightly valor in that realm is a quality to genuinely admire, especially in the world of Westeros. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to uphold the morals that chivalry has probably forgotten in Westeros through his journey in Ashford. In my view it requires a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth.”
After the panel, the actor attempted to walk back that comment, concerned it might ignite a war between the two fandoms and put him right in the crossfire. Of course, this led to a deeper interview to delve into his thoughts on how knighthood differs between the universes of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.
Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds
According to the star, a major part of the distinction stems from the clashing styles between these two iconic fictional settings.
“You find so much more integrity present [in Middle-earth] due to the adult themes in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” Claffey said. “People get so far in roles and rank by doing terrible acts and betraying others, literally and figuratively. With the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you witness so much more honor, and aside from the dark Vala or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”
Rather than thinking chivalry is harder, Claffey believes that in Westeros it’s more difficult to navigate while attempting to remain a decent knight.
The Weight of Chivalry in Westeros
“A warrior with a certain rank must have mental confusion,” he remarked, pointing to the ethically blurring stress that comes from trying to navigate the politics of the realm from the vantage point of a humble fighter. Audiences have seen the pressure of chivalry throughout the series, with characters like Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in GOT exploring how people under oath are forced to go against their principles, and the impact to them psychologically.
That said, although being a knight in Westeros may be more difficult than in Middle-earth, the actor is quick to admit that his role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is no match against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to present.
“The Ranger beats Dunk every time of the year,” Claffey said, “I’d say George would concur.”
