Before anything, let’s establish that the ongoing debate between the GoT saga and the LOTR trilogy is, in a huge way, an unfair one. It’s like comparing the literature that started it all to all works of high fantasy that came after. That said, the polarizing nature of the discussions would not have been this widespread had both these series not made it to mainstream TV and film media. Tolkien’s books are obviously much older, conjured in the time of war, and still banked on the many stereotypes and naivete of its era. They were also the first to be adapted for the screen. Image source: theimaginativeconservative.org Martin’s books are obviously much darker and more violent, and the running narrative involves much of the politics that Tolkien didn’t really care much about to make central in his books’ plot. Tolkien was too busy creating Middle Earth and populating it with different creatures and races like elves, dwarfs, trolls, and orcs. Martin opted for a more human-based fantasy; tinges of magic were often overshadowed by the characters’ hubris and political maneuverings. Both series’ plots will eventually have characters come to terms with the fantastic, but the power of GoT is in its character development. After all, there are more books in the series for such, and one more is coming out. Image source: esquire.com Despite the seeming novelty of GoT to casual fantasy fans, there have been tons of similar dark fantasies that have come before it, from Donaldson’s Chronicles of Thomas Covenant to Le Guin’s Earthsea books. In the end, fans argue that both series succeeded in what they hoped to accomplish: for LOTR, to establish high fantasy literature; for GoT, to further the genre and add more grit, grime, and oft-blood-red realism.
Fitness enthusiast and Memphis resident Bob Mims is passionate about sports and films. Among his favorites movies is the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. More on Bob’s work and interests here.
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