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A central distinction separating LOTR and GOT can be illustrated by an often-cited remark from George R.R. Martin. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, Aragorn reigned for a century after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, but the details of his rule remain unexplored. This type of inquiry drives Martin’s own fictional universe, often plunging his characters into ethical gray areas in a way Aragorn never would.

Exploring Chivalry in Two Fantasy Worlds

The upcoming GOT spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, aims to dive into these complexities through the beloved story of Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (the young star). They encounter a series of dangerous exploits in an age when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne but their mighty beasts have gone extinct. During a comic con discussion, the actor reflected on one major contrast between GOT and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of knighthood.

“This world that Martin has built, it contains a lot more sinister and adult themes that are explored. A lot of treachery and deceit, and it’s challenging to find your way,” Claffey stated. “For a lot of people in this world, it pays off; it did for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For somebody to have the true knightly valor in that world is something to really look up to, especially in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to uphold the ethics that chivalry has probably forgotten in Westeros through his journey in Ashford. I think it takes a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Middle-earth.”

Following the discussion, Claffey attempted to soften that statement, fearing it might ignite a conflict between the two fan communities and put him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a follow-up interview to further explore his perspective on how knighthood varies between the worlds of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms

According to the star, a major part of the difference comes down to the contrasting styles between these two legendary fantasy worlds.

“There is so much more integrity present [in Tolkien’s world] because of the mature content in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” Claffey said. “People get so far in roles and status by doing terrible acts and betraying others, both physically and metaphorically. In the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you see so much more honor, and aside from Morgoth or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Rather than thinking chivalry is harder, Claffey believes that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s tougher to maneuver while attempting to remain a decent warrior.

The Weight of Chivalry in Westeros

“A warrior with some status must have mental confusion,” he remarked, pointing to the ethically blurring stress that stems from attempting to survive the scheming of Westeros from the perspective of a humble knight. Audiences have witnessed the stress of chivalry throughout the series, with characters like Ser Criston Cole in HotD and Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones demonstrating how people under oath are forced to betray their morals, and what it does to them psychologically.

However, while being a knight in Westeros may be harder than in Middle-earth, the actor is still willing to concede that his role in The Hedge Knight wouldn’t stand a chance against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to offer.

“Aragorn defeats Dunk every time of the week,” he said, “I believe George probably agrees.”