Game of Thrones Actor Shares Spicy Opinion on LOTR Chivalry
A key difference between The Lord of the Rings and GOT is highlighted by a famous observation from the GOT author. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Indeed, the King of Gondor ruled for a century after the events of Tolkien’s books, but the specifics of his rule remain vague. Such inquiry drives Martin’s personal fictional universe, often plunging his characters into ethical gray areas in a way Aragorn avoided.
Delving into Chivalry in Different Fantasy Worlds
HBO’s next GOT spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into this moral mud through the beloved 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 dynasty still holds the throne but their mighty beasts have gone extinct. During a recent panel, Claffey reflected on one significant contrast between Game of Thrones and LOTR: the very definition of chivalry.
“This world that Martin has created, there are a lot more dark and mature subjects that are presented. A lot of treachery and deceit, and it's hard to find your way,” he said. “And for a lot of individuals in this world, it pays off; it did for Petyr Baelish for a considerable period. For somebody to have the true chivalric honor in that world is a quality to really look up to, especially in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. I deeply appreciate Dunk’s commitment to uphold the morals that knighthood has largely abandoned in Westeros through his journey in the tourney. I think it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Tolkien’s world.”
Following the panel, Claffey tried to soften that statement, fearing it might spark a war between the two fan communities and put him right in the crossfire. Of course, this led to a deeper interview to further explore his thoughts on how knighthood varies between the worlds of GOT and The Lord of the Rings.
Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms
As per the actor, a significant part of the distinction comes down to the contrasting styles between these two iconic fantasy worlds.
“You find so much more integrity present [in Tolkien’s world] due to the adult themes in GOT and Martin’s creation,” Claffey said. “People rise to power in roles and rank by doing hideous things and betraying others, literally and figuratively. With the epic series that is LOTR, you witness so much more honor, and other than the dark Vala or Sauron, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”
Rather than believing chivalry is harder, the actor argues that in Westeros it’s tougher to maneuver while attempting to remain a decent warrior.
The Weight of Knighthood in Game of Thrones
“A warrior with some status must have mental confusion,” he remarked, referring to the ethically blurring anxiety that stems from trying to navigate the scheming of the realm from the vantage point of a low-born fighter. Viewers have seen the pressure of knighthood across the series, with figures like Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jamie Lannister in GOT demonstrating how people under oath are forced to betray their principles, and the impact to them internally.
However, while serving as a warrior in Westeros may be more difficult than in Middle-earth, Claffey is quick to admit that his role in The Hedge Knight wouldn’t stand a chance against the best that The Lord of the Rings has to present.
“The Ranger defeats Dunk’s ass every time of the week,” Claffey declared, “I believe Martin would concur.”