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George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Fireis known for its prolific subversive activity of many of the phantasy elements established by J.R.R. Tolkien’sThe Lord of the Rings , but there are also of the essence ways Martin was revolutionise by Tolkien in his narrative . Given thatTolkien ’s work is the foundation of forward-looking fantasy , it ’s take exception to find body of work thatdoesn’tdraw from his masterwork , but the comparisons between these two are quite prevalent . Martin’sA Song of Ice & Firebook seriesis still waiting on its last loudness , but the five previous books offer plenty to analyze .
George R.R. Martin ’s book of account , The Armageddon Rag , prominently features character in a fictional band called the " Nazgûl . "
Given their respective ocular media adaptations , Martin and Tolkien ’s humans have earned reputations for their disparate portraying of fancy worlds . Due to HBO ’s Game of Thrones , Martin ’s piece of work has a reputation for being grittier and more raunchy , exploring the inward issues of mankind . Meanwhile , The Lord of the Ringscenters around a battle between good and evilness , exploring more classical archetypes as humanity faces an outbound scourge . But beyond these wide sum-up , there ’s lot of law of similarity in the Earth ofLOTR&ASOIAF .
10The Iron Throne & The One Ring Play A Similar Role In ASOIAF & LOTR
ASOIAF & LOTR Both Have Iconic Objects That Symbolize Power
The theme that Tolkien presents an idealistic version of humanity that can lift up to thwart great evil is fair prevalent in the depth psychology of his study , but it would n’t be fair to say his characters are n’t without their shade of gray . The One Ring is n’t just an detail that clear men evil ; it ’s a twist that attracts mankind ’s stem desire for powerand control . Human characters like Boromir , Denethor , and more fall dupe to its allurement , losing themselves in their desire for its talent . At the heart ofASOIAF , the Iron Throne represents a similar concept .
In theGame of Thronestelevision ending , the Iron Throne is lit ablaze , exchangeable to how the hoop is demolish inThe Return of the King , typify the end of a cycles/second deprave by this desire for index . In theASOIAFbooks , practically everyone seeks after the power of the Iron Throne in some capacity , with thousands losing their sprightliness over it . Daenerys has received comparisons to Sméagol / Gollum due to her telly twin ’s eventual descent to hydrophobia after spending the entire series need nothing but to recapture the Iron Throne .
9Valyria & Númenor Were Powerful Foreign Kingdoms Destroyed By A Cataclysmic Event
Valyria & Númenor Are Extinct Civilizations With Long-lasting Impact On Their Respective Worlds
In Tolkien ’s world , Númenor was an island - based human realm off from in-between - earth that was graced with gifts from the Valar , allow them to live elongated life spans and develop one of the most telling societies Arda had ever seen . InASOIAF , Valyria was an empire that utilise the power of tartar to accomplish similar wonders . Both Valyria and Númenor were eventually destroyed by cataclysmic event , symbolize that their power and hubris had wreak them too close to the god .
Aragorn is a long - lost king from the line of the Dúnedain , while Daenerys is allegedly the last Targaryen
These outcome take office long before their various stories , but both still have prevalent effects on their worlds . The Númenórean line haspassed down into Middle - earth through the land of Gondor and the Dúnedain . The Valyrian line is represent by the Targaryen monarchy , which united Westeros using the Valyrian dragon power direct by Aegon the Conqueror . Aragorn is a long - lost Riley B King from the air of the Dúnedain , while Daenerys is allegedly the last Targaryen after her founder ’s throne was usurped by Robert Baratheon .
The narrative leading to Númenor ’s fall is feature conspicuously inThe Lord of the Rings : The Rings of Power
8George R.R. Martin Uses Many Names From Tolkien’s World
Some Of Martin’s Characters Are Named After Tolkien’s Creations
George R.R. Martin construct a massive fictional world with a history that rivals even that of Tolkien , and suggesting that he draws from Tolkien does n’t discredit the unmingled creativity that went into this appendage . With that having been said , there areseveral names in Martin ’s world that are taken directly from type and location in Tolkien ’s creations . This is n’t uncommon in innovative fantasy , as most fictional universes provide some homage to Tolkien . For example , a lead character in theWarcraftuniverse is Anduin Wynn , distinguish after the Anduin river in Middle - earth .
The Game of Thrones books may imply George R.R. Martin planned for House of the Dragon ’s enormous Aegon ’s Dream plot spin nearly three decades ago .
As for character in Martin ’s world , Khal Drogo is name the same as Frodo ’s father , Drogo Baggins(which is kind of a singular comparison ) . Tyrion Lannister ’s name is almost monovular to Tirion , which is a metropolis in Valinor . One of the castles along the Wall and also one of the islands off the coast of the Reach in Westeros is make Oakenshield , a reference to The Hobbit ’s Thorin Oakenshield . Beren Tallhart ’s name is drawn from the character Beren in Tolkien ’s legendarium . In the Dance of the Dragons , the character Ulf decides to go by " the White . " The list fit on .
7Jon Snow & Aragorn Fulfill A Similar Archetype As The Long-lost King
ASOIAF May Be Gritty, But Jon Snow Fills The Lost-King Hero Archetype
A Song of Ice & Fireis known for defying distinctive fantasy archetypes and exploring more complex , three - dimensional character . Yet , Jon Snow is arguably one of the serial ' two lead protagonists , and he fulfills a very interchangeable role to Aragorn . Aragorn is the misplace inheritor to the stool of Gondor , whose circumstances involves him return to his kingdom to reclaim his titleand lead the human civilization into a new years . But his quality is often defined by his not wanting that honor and seeing it as a responsibility instead .
As Aragorn was a Ranger of the North , Jon is a member of the Night ’s Watch , both making it their top precedency to defend the people of their several worlds from an existential malevolent threat
Similarly , Jon Snow is all but confirmed to be the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark , which would make him the rightful heir to the Iron Throne . As Aragorn was a Ranger of the North , Jon is a penis of the Night ’s Watch , both progress to it their top priority to defend the mass of their several universe from an experiential evil threat . Both characters would take the responsibleness of king if it were to aid them lead mankind against evil , but neither revel in the idea of exponent nor high quality .
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6Dragons Are A Forgotten Breed In Both Game Of Thrones & Lord Of The Rings
Dragons Used To Be More Prevalent In Both Westeros And Middle-earth
By the time ofThe family of the Ring , dragons are basically a non - factor in midway - earth . Smaug is the main antagonist ofThe Hobbit , but he ’s deal thelast of Middle - ground ’s " great dragons,“and there are none in the events of the proceeding War of the Ring . likewise , inASOIAF , dragons have been extinct for over a century in Westerosand have become mythical creature . This play a broader similarity in the two worlds , in which both are beginning to age out from the magic and mysticism of their early historic period .
In Tolkien ’s mythology , the First Age is filled with the conflict of magical organism as the Valar combat Morgoth for the future of Arda . The ancient history of Martin ’s world find out the Age of Heroes , where mythical figures fought with White Walkers in a magical state of war . By the Third Age in midway - earth , the gremlin are will Middle - earth , and the Valar have send the Istar as guide , but the world is shift into the age of men . At the start ofA Game of Thrones , White Walkers and flying dragon are fairytales .
5Samwell & Samwise Have Similar Roles In Their Respective Stories
ASOIAF & LOTR Both Have Supporting Protagonists Named Sam
Samwise Gamgee is one of the most iconic characters inThe Lord of the Rings , as the pudgy best ally of Frodo who go from the quaint of Hobbiton to the horrors of Mount Doom , remaining by his side at the end of all things . Many even consider Sam to be the hero of their narration , as his will and spirit keep Frodo going in their darkest hour . Samwell Tarly is easily the most direct grapheme homagethat Martin has .
Just as Frodo , Sam , and the hobbits grow a beautiful friendly relationship throughoutThe Lord of the Rings , Jon , Samwell , and their brother of the Night ’s Watch form a camaraderie that stretches beyond the saltation of responsibility . Like Samwise , Samwell is the supporting friend that the hero can rely on , bringing atypical but essential skills to the table . Neither is a vehement warrior , but both are utterly vital in champion their worlds .
The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia system enfranchisement lie of several moving picture and a television set show liberate by Amazon title The Lord of the Rings : The Rings of Power . The franchise is base on J.R.R. Tolkien ’s book serial that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring . The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson ’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies .
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
4The Frozen Lands To The North Of Middle-earth & Westeros
Evil Stirs In The North Of Middle-earth & Westeros
Geographically , Middle - earth and Westeros take a mass of inspiration from real - world maps , with heavy Anglo - Saxon influence in their aesthetics and cultures . A major commonality between them is that both have practically unmapped flash-frozen lands in their north where evil ado . InThe Rings of Powerseason 1,Galadriel is shown traveling to the far north to track Sauronat the start of the Second Age , as this was where Morgoth had settled in mediate - earth .
One divisive setting in the House of the Dragon time of year 2 finis makes me nervous about the other Game of Thrones spinoffs in development .
While Sauron finally put the foundation for his realm in Mordor , the cold north is the original place of evil in Tolkien ’s universe . In Westeros , the far north is the kingdom of the White Walkers , with the " Land of Always Winter " engulfed in a mystic caul preventing any human settlements . The White Walkers have spend thousands of years crop their strong suit in this land .
3A Song Of Ice & Fire Sees The Return Of An Ancient Threat That The World Is Unprepared For
The White Walkers & Sauron Return To Power To Wage War On Humanity
In bothA Game of ThronesandThe Fellowship of the Ring , an ancient threat has awoken and posed an existential crisis for the hoi polloi of their respective worlds . InLOTR , Sauron has finally regained strength since his defeat at the end of the Second Ageby the Last Alliance of Elves and Men , and is launching his Army against the devoid people of in-between - solid ground . InASOIAF , the White Walkers have returned after thousands of years beyond the Wall , after they were defeated in the Age of Heroes .
What ’s more crucial to both worlds is the fact that neither is prepare for such a terror . Gondor is without its dead on target king , and sex act with Rohan have produce direful . Many hob have left Middle - earth , and mankind fundamentally has to support itself for the first time , which it ’s far from disposed for . InASOIAF , war and struggles between human kingdom continue to ravage the kingdom , weakening everyoneby the time the White Walkers finally get .
2Magical Elements Are Vague In Game Of Thrones & Lord Of The Rings
Tolkien never stops to excuse the powers of Gandalf or the powers of the One Ring , as theyaren’tdigestible by mortals ( the lector ) .
While modern authors like Brandon Sanderson have popularized the " magic organisation " and created wizard elements with defined scientific properties , Martin take out more from Tolkien ’s thought on the subject . magic trick in Tolkien ’s mankind is moresimilar to the real - worldly concern mythology of the Greeks and Norse , where there are mystical property that are n’t explicitly explained . For example , Tolkien never stops to explain the force of Gandalf or the power of the One Ring , as theyaren’tdigestible by mortals ( the referee ) .
Similarly , Martin explores various conjuring trick and religions in his reality , such as Melisandre ’s power and visions , the ability of the Faceless men , and the bond between dragons and rider . All of these are prevalent force , butthere ’s no pathfinder to empathise their properties . This is essential to the vast , ancient feeling of their world , allowing the reader to implant themselves in the confusion of mortal characters , observing case with admiration and mysterious intrigue .
Before the Game of Thrones spinoff , A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms , see up on what you need to do it about the fictional character Dunk and Egg .
1George RR Martin Is Expanding His World With Historical Texts
George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood Is The ASOIAF Equivalent Of Tolkien’s The Silmarillion
Beyond justThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings , Tolkien also hasThe Silmarillion , a fictitious historical textual matter that examines his world in great point . It ’s normally said that Tolkien wroteThe Lord of the Ringsas a story to fit in the world / mythology he want to create rather than frailty versa . Martin seems to have similar desire with his world - edifice , ashis most late volume isFire & Blood , a fancied historical textthat accounts the various monarchs of the Targaryen dynasty .
When let the cat out of the bag about this Holy Writ in 2018 , Martin jokingly name to it as the GRRmarillion . Much ofA Feast for CrowsandA Dance of Dragonsalso seem to have an express desire to explore the broader stories of his world , forever seeing characters apportion anecdote about various historic upshot . Martin has build up a masterful globe inA Song of Ice & Fire , and he seems to have equal desire to search its involution as he does in write the fundamental story .
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin . Martin ’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award - winning HBO serial Game of Thrones , which endure for eight seasons . After the incredibly dissentious final season of Game of Thrones , the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon , which also received critical acclaim .