Game of Thrones Star Shares Controversial Take on Lord of the Rings Knighthood
A central difference between The Lord of the Rings and GOT is highlighted by a famous observation from George R.R. Martin. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Certainly, Aragorn reigned for 100 years after the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, but the details of his governance remain vague. Such inquiry fuels Martin’s personal fictional universe, often plunging his characters into ethical gray areas in a way the LOTR hero never would.
Delving into Knighthood in Two Fantasy Worlds
The upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, The Hedge Knight, will delve into these complexities through the fan-favorite story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). They face a series of perilous adventures in an age when the Targaryen line continues to occupy the throne but their mighty beasts have died out. During a recent panel, the actor reflected on one major difference between Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of knighthood.
“This world that George has created, it contains a lot more sinister and mature subjects that are presented. A lot of treachery and deceit, and it's hard to navigate,” Claffey said. “For a lot of people in Westeros, it pays off; this was true for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For a person to have the true knightly valor in that world is a quality to really look up to, particularly in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to maintain the morals that knighthood has probably forgotten in this world through his journey in Ashford. I think it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Tolkien’s world.”
After the panel, Claffey attempted to walk back that comment, fearing it might spark a conflict between the two fandoms and put him squarely in the middle. Of course, this led to a follow-up interview to delve into his perspective on how knighthood differs between the worlds of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.
Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms
As per the star, a major part of the difference stems from the clashing styles between these two iconic fictional settings.
“There is so much more integrity present [in Tolkien’s world] because of the mature content in GOT and Martin’s creation,” Claffey said. “Characters rise to power in roles and rank by doing terrible acts and stabbing people in the back, literally and figuratively. With the epic series that is The Lord of the Rings, 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.”
Instead of thinking knighthood is more difficult, Claffey argues that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s tougher to navigate while trying to be a decent warrior.
The Weight of Chivalry in Game of Thrones
“A knight with some status must have mental confusion,” he said, referring to the ethically blurring anxiety that stems from attempting to survive the politics of Westeros from the perspective of a low-born knight. Audiences have seen the pressure of chivalry throughout the series, with characters like Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones demonstrating how individuals bound by vows are forced to go against their morals, and the impact to them internally.
That said, while being a knight in the Seven Kingdoms may be more difficult than in Tolkien’s realm, the actor is still willing to admit that his role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the greatest that LOTR has to present.
“Aragorn beats Dunk any day of the week,” Claffey said, “I believe George would concur.”
