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One key distinction separating The Lord of the Rings and GOT can be illustrated by a famous observation from George R.R. Martin. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, Aragorn ruled for a century after the events of Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his governance remain unexplored. This type of inquiry drives Martin’s own fictional universe, often plunging his protagonists into moral ambiguity in a way the LOTR hero never would.

Exploring Knighthood in Two Fantasy Worlds

HBO’s next GOT spinoff, The Hedge Knight, will delve into this moral mud through the beloved tale of Ser Duncan the Tall (the actor) and Aegon Targaryen (the young star). They face a series of perilous adventures in an age when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the throne but their fearsome dragons have died out. During a recent panel, the actor reflected on one significant difference between Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings: the very definition of chivalry.

“The universe that George has created, there are a lot more sinister and adult themes that are explored. A lot of treachery and backstabbing, and it’s challenging to find your way,” Claffey said. “For a lot of individuals in Westeros, it works; it did for Petyr Baelish for a considerable period. For a person to have the true chivalric honor in that realm is a quality to really look up to, particularly in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. So I really adore Dunk’s need to uphold the ethics that knighthood has largely abandoned in this world through his journey in the tourney. In my view it takes a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Middle-earth.”

After the discussion, the actor attempted to soften that statement, fearing it might spark a war between the two fandoms and put him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a deeper conversation to delve into his perspective on how chivalry differs between the worlds of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds

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

“There is so much more honor present [in Tolkien’s world] due to the mature content in Game of Thrones and George’s world,” he said. “Characters get so far in roles and status by doing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, both physically and metaphorically. In the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you see so much more nobility, and aside from the dark Vala or Sauron, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”

Rather than believing knighthood is more difficult, Claffey believes that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s more difficult to maneuver while trying to be a honorable knight.

The Weight of Knighthood in Game of Thrones

“A warrior with a certain rank must have some head fog,” he said, pointing to the ethically blurring anxiety that stems from attempting to survive the scheming of the realm from the perspective of a low-born fighter. Viewers have seen the pressure of knighthood throughout the series, with figures like Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in GOT demonstrating how people bound by vows are compelled to betray their morals, and what it does to them psychologically.

However, although serving as a warrior in the Seven Kingdoms may be more difficult than in Middle-earth, the actor is quick to admit that his role in The Hedge Knight is no match against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to offer.

“Aragorn beats Dunk every time of the year,” Claffey declared, “I believe George would concur.”