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A key difference separating The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones is highlighted by a famous observation from George R.R. Martin. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Indeed, the King of Gondor ruled for a century after the conclusion of Tolkien’s books, but the specifics of his rule remain vague. Such inquiry drives Martin’s own fantasy world, often plunging his protagonists into ethical gray areas in a way Aragorn never would.

Delving into Chivalry in Different Fantasy Worlds

The upcoming Game of Thrones series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into this moral mud through the fan-favorite story of Ser Duncan the Tall (the actor) and Egg (the young star). They face a series of dangerous exploits in an era when the Targaryen line still holds the throne but their mighty beasts have gone extinct. During a comic con discussion, Claffey reflected on one major difference between Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of chivalry.

“The universe that Martin has created, it contains a lot more dark and mature subjects that are explored. A lot of betrayal and deceit, and it’s challenging to navigate,” he stated. “And for a lot of people in Westeros, it pays off; this was true for Petyr Baelish for a considerable period. For somebody to have the actual chivalric honor in that realm is a quality to really look up to, particularly in the land of Westeros. So I really adore 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 Tolkien’s world.”

After the discussion, the actor attempted to soften that comment, concerned it might spark a war between the two fan communities and put him right in the crossfire. Of course, it prompted a deeper interview to further explore his perspective on how chivalry varies between the universes of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

Divergent Themes in Fictional Realms

As per the star, a significant part of the difference comes down to the contrasting styles between these two legendary fictional settings.

“There is so much more honor evident [in Middle-earth] due to the adult themes in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” Claffey said. “Characters get so far in roles and status by committing hideous things and betraying others, literally and figuratively. In the glorious trilogy that is The Lord of the Rings, you see so much more honor, and aside from the dark Vala or the Dark Lord, those absolute villains, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”

Instead of believing knighthood is harder, Claffey argues that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s tougher to navigate while attempting to remain a decent knight.

The Burden of Chivalry in Westeros

“A warrior 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 vantage point of a humble knight. Audiences have seen the pressure of chivalry across the franchise, with figures like Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in GOT demonstrating how people bound by vows 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 Tolkien’s realm, Claffey is still willing to concede that his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to present.

“The Ranger defeats Dunk’s ass every time of the week,” he declared, “I’d say Martin would concur.”