Like many tales from the Grimm Brothers, the entire story revolves around Death. Death’s ever-lasting presence is the main issue surrounding this tale and it is through the character of Death that readers are drawn in.
The Story
“Godfather Death”, written in third person point of view, tells the story of the protagonist, a poor Youth, and his Godfather, Death. As the Youth grows up and becomes a Physician, Death offers him a gift of knowing immediately if a patient will live or die. He also gives him a special herb that will cure all those who are meant to live. For those meant to die, Death will be standing at their feet waiting to take them. The one condition is that the young doctor must not cheat Death but only heal the ones meant to live.
Of course, the Youth ends up disobeying this order and cheats Death not once, but twice with both the King and his daughter. Death does not punish him the first time as he is his Godson but the second time he does and takes his Godson’s own life, reminding all readers what the moral message of this story is: never cheat Death.
The Grim Reaper Figure
Death is a very important feature in fairy tales, especially in the Brothers Grimm. From Snow White to Cinderella, often the protagonist is in an eternal sleep and often they are revived by some mystical power. Although Death is not the protagonist here, but the secondary character, as he remains constant throughout the story, his presence demonstrates that Death is a part of life and is always around. It does not discriminate, striking both the poor and the rich (the King and his daughter) and it is something everyone in the world must deal with.
The Importance of Death in Fairy Tales
The Grim Reaper in this tale takes on a unique dichotomy. Although he is the supposed evil Death, he is also seen as a father figure, taking care of his Godson as if he were his own. He makes him rich, he gives him gifts and he even allows him to cheat Death, once. By making Death human, the Grimm Brothers are demonstrating that Death is not something to fear. Many children read these fairy tales, and, back when the Grimm Brothers were writing, Death took children at a much younger age.
“Godfather Death” shows child readers that they should not fear Death, as it is not as scary as they might think. By making the Grim Reaper friendly and fatherly, the Brothers Grimm succeed in explaining that, although Death is a part of everyone’s life, it is nothing to be afraid of.
