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One central distinction between LOTR and GOT can be illustrated by an often-cited remark from the GOT author. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Certainly, the King of Gondor ruled for a century after the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, but the specifics of his governance remain unexplored. Such questioning fuels Martin’s own fantasy world, often plunging his protagonists into moral ambiguity in a way Aragorn avoided.

Exploring Chivalry in Different Realms

The upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, The Hedge Knight, aims to dive into this moral mud through the beloved story of Dunk (the actor) and Aegon Targaryen (the young star). They encounter multiple dangerous exploits in an era when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the throne but their fearsome dragons have gone extinct. During a comic con discussion, Claffey reflected on one major contrast between GOT and The Lord of the Rings: the core meaning of knighthood.

“This world that Martin has built, there are a lot more sinister and adult themes that are explored. Much treachery and backstabbing, and it's hard to navigate,” Claffey stated. “For a lot of people in Westeros, it pays off; it did for Petyr Baelish for a considerable period. For a person to have the true chivalric honor in that realm is something to genuinely admire, particularly in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. So I really adore Dunk’s need to uphold the ethics that chivalry has largely abandoned in this world through his journey in Ashford. In my view it takes a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Tolkien’s world.”

After the panel, Claffey attempted to soften that statement, fearing it might spark a war between the two fan communities and place him squarely in the middle. Of course, it prompted a follow-up interview to delve into his perspective on how knighthood varies between the worlds of GOT and The Lord of the Rings.

Clashing Tones in Fantasy Worlds

According to the actor, a major part of the difference comes down to the clashing tones between these two legendary fantasy worlds.

“There is so much more honor present [in Tolkien’s world] due to the adult themes in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” he said. “Characters rise to power in positions and rank by doing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, literally and figuratively. With the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you witness so much more honor, and aside from the dark Vala or Sauron, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Instead of thinking chivalry is harder, Claffey argues that in the Seven Kingdoms it’s more difficult to maneuver while trying to be a decent knight.

The Burden of Knighthood in Westeros

“A knight with a certain rank must have mental confusion,” he said, pointing to the morality-clouding stress that stems from trying to navigate the scheming of the realm from the perspective of a low-born fighter. Viewers have witnessed the stress of knighthood across the franchise, with figures like Criston Cole in House of the Dragon and Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones exploring how individuals bound by vows are forced to betray their principles, and the impact to them psychologically.

That said, although being a knight in the Seven Kingdoms may be more difficult than in Middle-earth, the actor is quick to admit that his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wouldn’t stand a chance against the greatest that LOTR has to present.

“Aragorn beats Dunk’s ass every time of the year,” he said, “I’d say George probably agrees.”