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One key difference between LOTR and GOT is highlighted by a famous observation from the GOT author. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Certainly, the King of Gondor reigned for 100 years after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, but the specifics of his rule remain vague. This type of inquiry drives Martin’s personal fantasy world, often plunging his characters into moral ambiguity in a way the LOTR hero avoided.

Exploring Chivalry in Two Fantasy Worlds

HBO’s next GOT series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into this moral mud through the beloved tale of Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Aegon Targaryen (Dexter Sol Ansell). They face multiple dangerous exploits in an era when the Targaryen line continues to occupy the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have died out. At a recent panel, the actor commented on one major difference between GOT and The Lord of the Rings: the very definition of knighthood.

“The universe that Martin has created, there are a lot more sinister and adult themes that are explored. Much treachery and deceit, and it's hard to navigate,” Claffey said. “For a lot of people in this world, it pays off; this was true for Littlefinger for a long time. For a person to have the actual knightly valor in that realm is a quality to really look up to, particularly in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s need to maintain the ethics that knighthood has probably forgotten in Westeros through his journey in the tourney. In my view it requires a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Tolkien’s world.”

After the discussion, the actor tried to soften that statement, fearing it might ignite a war between the two fan communities and put him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a deeper interview to further explore his thoughts on how knighthood differs between the universes of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms

According to the actor, a significant part of the distinction stems from the contrasting tones between these two iconic fantasy worlds.

“There is so much more honor present [in Middle-earth] due to the mature content in Game of Thrones and George’s world,” Claffey said. “Characters get so far in roles and status by committing terrible acts and stabbing people in the back, both physically and metaphorically. With the glorious trilogy that is The Lord of the Rings, you see so much more honor, and aside from the dark Vala or Sauron, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Instead of believing knighthood is harder, Claffey argues 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 some status must have mental confusion,” he remarked, pointing to the morality-clouding stress that stems from trying to navigate the politics of Westeros from the perspective of a humble knight. Viewers have witnessed the stress of knighthood throughout the series, with characters like Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones demonstrating how individuals bound by vows are compelled to betray their principles, and what it does to them psychologically.

However, although serving as a warrior in Westeros may be harder than in Tolkien’s realm, Claffey is quick to concede that his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to present.

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