GOT Star Reveals Controversial Opinion on Lord of the Rings Knighthood
One key distinction between LOTR and GOT can be highlighted by a famous remark from George R.R. Martin. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Indeed, the King of Gondor ruled for 100 years after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the details of his rule remain vague. This type of inquiry fuels Martin’s personal fantasy world, often plunging his characters into ethical gray areas in a way Aragorn avoided.
Exploring Chivalry in Two Fantasy Worlds
HBO’s next Game of Thrones spinoff, The Hedge Knight, will delve into these complexities through the beloved story of Dunk (the actor) and Egg (the young star). They encounter a series of perilous adventures in an era when the Targaryen dynasty continues to occupy the Iron Throne but their fearsome dragons have gone extinct. At a comic con discussion, the actor reflected on one major contrast between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the very definition of chivalry.
“This world that George has built, there are a lot more dark and mature subjects that are presented. A lot of treachery and backstabbing, and it's hard to navigate,” Claffey stated. “And for a lot of individuals in Westeros, it works; it did for Petyr Baelish for a considerable period. For somebody to have the actual chivalric honor in that world is a quality to genuinely admire, especially in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s need to maintain the morals that knighthood has probably forgotten in Westeros through his journey in Ashford. In my view it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Tolkien’s world.”
After the panel, Claffey attempted to soften that statement, concerned it might ignite a conflict between the two fandoms and place him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a deeper interview to delve into his thoughts on how chivalry varies between the worlds of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.
Divergent Themes in Fantasy Worlds
As per the star, a significant part of the difference comes down to the clashing styles between these two legendary fictional settings.
“You find so much more integrity present [in Middle-earth] due to the adult themes in GOT and Martin’s creation,” Claffey explained. “People rise to power in roles and rank by doing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, literally and figuratively. In the glorious trilogy that is The Lord of the Rings, you witness so much more nobility, and aside from the dark Vala or the Dark Lord, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”
Rather than believing chivalry is more difficult, Claffey believes that in Westeros it’s more difficult to navigate while attempting to remain a honorable knight.
The Burden of Chivalry in Westeros
“A knight with a certain rank must have mental confusion,” he said, referring to the morality-clouding anxiety that comes from attempting to survive the scheming of the realm from the perspective of a humble knight. Viewers have witnessed the pressure of chivalry across the franchise, with characters like Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in GOT exploring how people under oath are forced to go against their principles, and the impact to them internally.
However, while being a knight in the Seven Kingdoms may be more difficult than in Middle-earth, the actor is still willing to admit that his role in The Hedge Knight wouldn’t stand a chance against the greatest that LOTR has to present.
“Aragorn defeats Dunk any day of the year,” Claffey declared, “I believe Martin would concur.”