The Battle for the Fantasy Throne in English Literature

Of all the genres in literature, fantasy is the one that lets readers escape into worlds beyond imagination. But not all fantasy is the same. Some stories transport us to realms of heroism and legend, while others pull us into brutal struggles for power. No two authors represent this contrast better than J.R.R. Tolkien and George R.R. Martin. One created myths that feel as old as time. The other tears myths apart to reveal the people beneath them.
Tolkien is the architect of high fantasy, weaving myths and legends into an intricate tapestry. His stories transport readers into worlds of destiny, heroism, and deep-rooted mythology. Martin, by contrast, strips away idealism, exposing the raw, often brutal reality of power and ambition. His work challenges the notion of fate and forces characters to carve their own uncertain paths. Their works stand at opposite ends of the fantasy spectrum, yet both have shaped the genre in ways few others ever could.

Worldbuilding- The Mythmaker vs The Historian

Tolkien’s Middle-earth feels like a place with thousands of years of history. He didn’t just write a story, he built an entire mythology. His deep love for linguistics shaped Elvish, Dwarvish, and other languages, making the world feel lived-in. His influences, from Norse sagas to medieval literature, shine through in the grand, sweeping narratives of The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Middle-earth has a sense of destiny, where good and evil clash in an eternal struggle.
Martin, by contrast, builds Westeros more like a historian than a mythmaker. Inspired by real events like the Wars of the Roses, he focuses on politics, betrayals, and the consequences of power. Westeros lacks the clear moral boundaries of Middle-earth. Honor can get you killed. Villains can sit on the throne. The past isn’t some glorious legend—it’s a record of war, greed, and ambition. His world is detailed, but it lacks the mythic weight of Tolkien’s.