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A central distinction separating LOTR and GOT is highlighted by a famous remark from George R.R. Martin. “What was Aragorn’s tax policy?” Certainly, Aragorn ruled for a century after the conclusion of Tolkien’s books, but the details of his rule remain vague. Such questioning drives Martin’s personal fantasy world, often dragging his protagonists into moral ambiguity in a way the LOTR hero never would.

Delving into Knighthood in Two Fantasy Worlds

HBO’s next GOT spinoff, The Hedge Knight, aims to dive into this moral mud through the fan-favorite story of Dunk (the actor) and Egg (the young star). They face multiple perilous adventures in an era when the Targaryen line still holds the throne but their fearsome dragons have died out. At a recent panel, Claffey commented on one major difference between GOT and LOTR: the very definition of chivalry.

“This world that George has built, it contains a lot more dark and adult themes that are presented. A lot of treachery and backstabbing, and it’s challenging to navigate,” Claffey said. “And for a lot of individuals in this world, 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 genuinely admire, especially in the land of the Seven Kingdoms. So I really adore Dunk’s need to maintain the ethics that knighthood has largely abandoned in this world on his quest in the tourney. In my view it requires a lot more to be a warrior than it does in Middle-earth.”

Following the panel, the actor tried to walk back that comment, fearing it might spark a war between the two fandoms and place him squarely in the middle. Naturally, it prompted a deeper interview to further explore his thoughts on how knighthood differs between the worlds of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.

Divergent Themes in Fantasy Worlds

According to the star, a major part of the difference stems from the contrasting styles between these two iconic fictional settings.

“You find so much more honor evident [in Middle-earth] due to the adult themes in Game of Thrones and Martin’s creation,” Claffey said. “People get so far in positions and rank by doing hideous things and stabbing people in the back, both physically and metaphorically. With the glorious trilogy that is LOTR, you witness so much more honor, and aside from the dark Vala or the Dark Lord, those pure evils, [LOTR] is a lot more like storybook villainy.”

Instead of believing knighthood is harder, the actor believes that in Westeros it’s tougher to maneuver while trying to be a honorable knight.

The Burden of Knighthood in Westeros

“A knight with some status must have mental confusion,” he said, referring to the ethically blurring anxiety that stems from attempting to survive the scheming of Westeros from the vantage point of a low-born fighter. Audiences have seen the pressure of chivalry across the franchise, with figures like Ser Criston Cole in HotD and Jaime Lannister in GOT exploring how people under oath are forced to go against their morals, and the impact to them psychologically.

However, while serving as a warrior in Westeros may be harder than in Middle-earth, the actor is quick to admit that his character in The Hedge Knight wouldn’t stand a chance against the best that LOTR has to present.

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