Game of Thrones Actor Reveals Controversial Take on Lord of the Rings Chivalry

One central difference between The Lord of the Rings and GOT is highlighted by an often-cited remark from the GOT author. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, Aragorn reigned for a century after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his rule remain unexplored. This type of questioning drives Martin’s own fictional universe, often dragging his protagonists into ethical gray areas in a way the LOTR hero never would.

Exploring Knighthood in Different Realms

HBO’s next GOT series, The Hedge Knight, aims to dive into this moral mud through the fan-favorite tale of Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Aegon Targaryen (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 gone extinct. At a recent panel, Claffey reflected on one major contrast between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the very definition of knighthood.

“This world that Martin has created, there are a lot more sinister and adult themes that are presented. Much treachery and backstabbing, and it’s challenging to navigate,” Claffey stated. “And for a lot of individuals in this world, it works; it did for Petyr Baelish for a long time. For a person to have the true chivalric honor in that realm is a quality to genuinely admire, especially in the world of Westeros. So I really adore Dunk’s need to uphold the ethics that knighthood has probably forgotten in Westeros through his journey in Ashford. I think it requires a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth.”

Following the panel, the actor tried to walk back that statement, concerned it might spark a conflict between the two fandoms and place him squarely in the middle. Of course, it prompted a follow-up conversation to delve into his perspective on how knighthood differs between the worlds of GOT and LOTR.

Divergent Themes in Fantasy Worlds

As per the actor, a significant part of the difference stems from the clashing styles between these two iconic fictional settings.

“There is so much more integrity evident [in Tolkien’s world] due to the mature content in Game of Thrones and George’s world,” he explained. “People get so far in roles and status by committing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, literally and figuratively. In the epic series that is The Lord of the Rings, you witness so much more nobility, and other than Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Instead of thinking chivalry is more difficult, Claffey argues that in Westeros it’s tougher to navigate while attempting to remain a decent knight.

The Burden of Chivalry in Game of Thrones

“A knight with a certain rank must have some head fog,” he said, pointing to the ethically blurring stress that stems from attempting to survive the politics of Westeros from the perspective of a humble fighter. Audiences have witnessed the stress of knighthood across the series, with figures like Ser Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in GOT exploring how individuals under oath 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, Claffey is quick to concede that his character in The Hedge Knight is no match against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to offer.

“The Ranger beats Dunk’s ass any day of the year,” Claffey said, “I’d say George would concur.”