God Father Death by Wilhelm Grimm, Research Paper Example

“God Father Death” by Wilhelm Grimm demonstrates the dual nature of death.  The story personifies Death as a fatherly figure who is capable of giving the story’s protagonist great riches and can also take away the young man’s life.  Although Death is a figure of great power, he is also capable of flexibility–as shown when he gives his godson a second chance.  However, the overall theme of “God Father Death” is that death is a condition that awaits all of us, and one that cannot be avoided through trickery or deceit.

Although many characters in the story, from the sickly King to the young doctor, are afraid of dying, Death himself is not portrayed as particularly frightening.  Indeed, when the protagonist’s father meets Death on the road he does not react with fear.  Instead, he accepts Death’s offer to be his child’s godfather because he likes the fairness of Death’s claim to make “everyone equal” (Grimm, 2006).  Despite his godfather’s power over life and death, the young doctor shows no fear towards Death, deciding instead that it is safe to disobey the rules of their arrangement because “I am his godson [and so] he will shut one eye” (Grimm, 2006).  This, however, is a trick that only works once.  God Father Death is angry that his godson betrayed him in order to save the king, and warns the young man that “if you dare to do it again, it will cost you your neck, for I will take you yourself away with me” (Grimm, 2006).  This demonstrates that Death has limits which he must adhere to, underlining the importance of following through on promises.

Death is capable of both kindness and cruelty.  Although he tries to give his godson the benefit of the doubt, the young man’s inability to follow the clear rules set out by Death means that he has relinquished his claim on life.  Through the tale of the young doctor who unsuccessfully tries to cheat Death, the narrator learns that agreements must be kept and that death cannot be avoided forever, no matter one’s personal connections or riches.

References

Grimm, W. (2006). God father death. University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved from http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm044.html