GOT Star Reveals Spicy Take on LOTR Knighthood
One key distinction between The Lord of the Rings and GOT is highlighted by a famous observation from the GOT author. “How did Aragorn handle taxes?” Certainly, the King of Gondor ruled for a century after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, but the specifics of his rule remain vague. This type of questioning drives Martin’s personal fictional universe, often dragging his characters into ethical gray areas in a way the LOTR hero never would.
Delving into Chivalry in Two Realms
HBO’s next GOT spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will delve into these complexities through the fan-favorite story of Dunk (the actor) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). 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 died out. During a comic con discussion, the actor commented on one significant contrast between GOT and LOTR: the core meaning of knighthood.
“The universe that George has built, it contains a lot more sinister and adult themes that are presented. Much betrayal and deceit, and it’s challenging to find your way,” Claffey said. “For a lot of people in this world, it pays off; this was true for Littlefinger for a considerable period. For a person to have the actual knightly valor in that world is a quality to really look up to, particularly in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. So I really adore Dunk’s commitment to maintain the morals that chivalry has probably forgotten in this world through his journey in Ashford. In my view it takes a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Middle-earth.”
After the discussion, the actor tried to walk back that statement, fearing it might ignite a war between the two fandoms and put him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a follow-up interview to delve into his perspective on how chivalry differs between the universes of GOT and LOTR.
Clashing Tones in Fictional Realms
According to the actor, a significant part of the distinction comes down to the contrasting tones between these two iconic fictional settings.
“You find so much more integrity evident [in Tolkien’s world] because of the mature content in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” he explained. “Characters get so far in positions and status by doing hideous things and betraying others, literally and figuratively. With the glorious trilogy that is The Lord of the Rings, you witness so much more nobility, and other than Morgoth or Sauron, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like fairy tale evil.”
Instead of believing chivalry is harder, the actor believes that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s tougher to navigate while trying to be a decent warrior.
The Burden of Knighthood in Game of Thrones
“A knight with a certain rank must have mental confusion,” he remarked, pointing to the morality-clouding stress that comes from trying to navigate the politics of Westeros from the perspective of a low-born fighter. Audiences have witnessed the stress of chivalry throughout the series, with figures like Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones demonstrating how individuals under oath are forced to go against their principles, and the impact to them internally.
However, although serving as a warrior in the Seven Kingdoms may be more difficult than in Tolkien’s realm, the actor is still willing to concede that his role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is no match against the greatest that The Lord of the Rings has to present.
“The Ranger beats Dunk every time of the week,” Claffey declared, “I believe George would concur.”