# Death — Household Tales character guide

> Death in Household Tales by Jacob Grimm.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0048-godfather-death

## Snapshot

Death keeps the world's candles burning, one life for another, and revenges himself on a physician who begs for a substitute flame.

## Who they are

Personified as a keeper of countless candles, each one a human life, Death grants gifts and bargains but never surrenders his authority. When a physician pleads to be made king and husband of the princess, Death pretends to comply, then deliberately fumbles the wick so the new candle falls and goes out. His cold, exact bookkeeping—one must go out before a new one is lighted—frames the tale's lesson about mortality and the limits of mortal pleading.

## In the story

### [The Godfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/the-godfather)

Appears at the patient's head or feet to determine whether healing is possible.

### [Godfather Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/godfather-death)

Chosen as godfather; grants the boy power to heal or not based on Death's position; ultimately punishes the physician for defiance.

### [Gambling Hansel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/gambling-hansel)

Sent by the Lord to end Hansel's life, but is trapped in a magical tree for seven years, causing no one to die.

### [Death’s Messengers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/death-s-messengers)

Defeated by a giant, revived by a young man, and keeps his promise by sending messengers before claiming the youth.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/characters/death
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/household_tales_se/characters