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One key distinction between LOTR and Game of Thrones can be highlighted by a famous observation from the GOT author. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Certainly, Aragorn ruled for 100 years after the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, but the details of his governance remain unexplored. This type of inquiry drives Martin’s own fantasy world, often dragging his characters into moral ambiguity in a way Aragorn never would.

Exploring Knighthood in Two Fantasy Worlds

The upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, The Hedge Knight, will delve into this moral mud through the fan-favorite story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Egg (the young star). They encounter a series of perilous adventures in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the throne but their fearsome dragons have died out. At a recent panel, the actor reflected on one significant contrast between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the very definition of knighthood.

“The universe that Martin has built, there are a lot more dark and adult themes that are explored. A lot of betrayal and deceit, and it’s challenging to navigate,” he said. “And for a lot of people in this world, it works; it did for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For a person to have the true chivalric honor in that realm is something to genuinely admire, especially in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s need to maintain the ethics that chivalry has probably forgotten in this world on his quest in Ashford. In my view it takes a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Tolkien’s world.”

Following the discussion, Claffey attempted to walk back that statement, fearing it might spark a conflict between the two fandoms and put him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a deeper conversation to delve into his thoughts on how chivalry varies between the universes of GOT and LOTR.

Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds

As per the actor, a major part of the distinction stems from the clashing styles between these two iconic fantasy worlds.

“You find so much more honor evident [in Tolkien’s world] because of the adult themes in Game of Thrones and George’s world,” he explained. “Characters rise to power in roles and status by committing terrible acts and betraying others, both physically and metaphorically. With the epic series that is The Lord of the Rings, you see so much more honor, and other than Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Instead of believing knighthood is harder, the actor believes that in Westeros it’s more difficult to maneuver while attempting to remain a decent knight.

The Weight of Chivalry in Game of Thrones

“A warrior with a certain rank must have some head fog,” he said, pointing to the ethically blurring anxiety that comes from attempting to survive the scheming of Westeros from the perspective of a low-born fighter. Audiences have witnessed the pressure of knighthood throughout the series, with characters like Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jamie Lannister in GOT exploring how individuals bound by vows are forced to betray their principles, and the impact to them psychologically.

That said, although being a knight in the Seven Kingdoms may be harder than in Middle-earth, the actor is still willing to concede that his role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is no match against the greatest that LOTR has to offer.

“The Ranger beats Dunk’s ass every time of the week,” he said, “I believe George would concur.”