GOT Star Shares Spicy Take on LOTR Chivalry
One key distinction separating LOTR and Game of Thrones can be highlighted by an often-cited remark from George R.R. Martin. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Certainly, Aragorn reigned for a century after the conclusion of Tolkien’s novels, but the specifics of his governance remain unexplored. Such inquiry fuels Martin’s own fantasy world, often plunging his protagonists into moral ambiguity in a way Aragorn never would.
Delving into Chivalry in Two Fantasy Worlds
HBO’s next GOT series, The Hedge Knight, will delve into these complexities through the fan-favorite tale of Ser Duncan the Tall (the actor) and Egg (the young star). They face a series of perilous adventures in an era when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne but their fearsome dragons have gone extinct. During a recent panel, Claffey commented on one significant contrast between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the very definition of chivalry.
“This world that Martin has created, there are a lot more sinister and mature subjects that are explored. Much treachery and backstabbing, and it’s challenging to find your way,” Claffey stated. “For a lot of people in this world, it works; this was true for Littlefinger for a long time. For somebody to have the actual knightly valor in that world is a quality to really look up to, especially in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to uphold the morals that chivalry has probably forgotten in Westeros on his quest in the tourney. I think it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth.”
After the panel, Claffey tried to soften that statement, concerned it might spark a war between the two fandoms and put him squarely in the middle. Of course, it prompted a follow-up interview to further explore his thoughts on how chivalry varies between the universes of Game of Thrones and LOTR.
Divergent Themes in Fantasy Worlds
As per the star, a significant part of the distinction stems from the contrasting styles between these two iconic fictional settings.
“You find so much more honor evident [in Middle-earth] due to the mature content in Game of Thrones and George’s world,” he explained. “Characters rise to power in roles and status by committing hideous things and betraying others, both physically and metaphorically. In the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you see so much more nobility, and other than the dark Vala or Sauron, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”
Rather than believing knighthood is harder, Claffey believes that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s tougher to navigate while attempting to remain a decent knight.
The Weight of Chivalry in Westeros
“A knight with some status must have mental confusion,” he said, pointing to the ethically blurring stress that comes from attempting to survive the politics of the realm from the perspective of a humble fighter. Viewers have seen the pressure of chivalry across the franchise, with figures like Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones exploring how individuals under oath are forced to go against their principles, and what it does to them internally.
That said, although serving as a warrior in the Seven Kingdoms may be harder than in Tolkien’s realm, Claffey is still willing to concede that his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to present.
“Aragorn beats Dunk every time of the year,” he declared, “I believe Martin would concur.”
