History Main / TheProblemWithFightingDeath

[[folder:WesternAnimation]]

** The very first issue [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this. Dream's capture and imprisonment by the sorcerer Roderick Burgess causes ''all kinds'' of things (from the merely weird to the truly tragic) to happen all over the world. But when Dream finally escapes, Burgess's on admits taht original plan was to capture his sister Death. Dream's response is basically, "The entire freaking world should count itself lucky you blew it and got me instead."

* The story of the three brothers from ''HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' (and ''TalesOfBeedleTheBard'') uses this.

* The story of the three brothers from ''HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' uses this.

** The very first issue [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this. Dream's capture and imprisonment by the sorcerer Roderick Burgess causes ''all kinds'' of things (from the merely weird to the truly tragic) to happen all over the world. But when Dream finds out that the original plan was to capture his sister Death, his response to Burgess is basically, "The entire freaking world should count itself lucky you blew it and got me instead."

There's just one. Small. Problem. These cosmic entities usually play a pretty important role in the universe and afterlife. Beating them to a pulp just means you've pissed off the guy who's in charge of your eternal reward. He/she/it may decide to punt you into {{Hell}} instead of {{Heaven}}. Even {{Immortality}} is no guarantee of safety, since Death will make sure [[WhoWantsToLiveForever the hero regrets eternal life]] one way or another. Heck, Death may even levy immortality as the punishment!

** [[nightmarefuel Causing massive existential angst for young children the world over]]...

* Incredibly minor MarvelComics villain [[IncrediblyLamePun Deadly Ernest]] gained immortality after refusing to die during WorldWarI and figting off Death itself; he became an immortal with an uncontrollable TouchOfDeath, something he discovered when he returned home and embraced his wife.

** The very first issue [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this. Dream's capture and imprisonment by the sorcerer Roderick Burgess causes ''all kinds'' of things (from the merely weird to the truly tragic) things to happen all over the world. But when Dream finds out that the original intention was to capture his sister Death, his response to Burgess is basically, "The entire freaking world should count itself lucky you blew it and got me instead."

This is rarely mentioned in stories, which can become a rather [[InferredHolocaust horrific revelation]] for viewers on a [[FridgeLogic walk to the fridge]] as they realize that their beloved hero will eventually die and be at the mercy of their enemy. If it is dealt with in the story it makes a fight that much more heroic, since the hero knows that winning means he's condemning himself to an afterlife of pain.

This is the problem with fighting Death, [[EverybodyHatesHades Hades]], TheDevil, {{Psychopomp}}s, {{Anthropomorphic Personification}}s or even {{God}}. You just can't win. At least... not unless you get ''really'' creative and thorough. If all that matters is that there be ''A'' Death, then replacing him with someone friendlier (or at least someone with whom deals can be struck and honored) can be a way to go. This can be done by appealing to someone [[LowestCosmicDenominator higher on the divinity ladder]], getting someone else to [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt kill and replace Death]] (or doing so ''yourself'', if you're willing to accept what's probably not the most pleasant job for the rest of eternity), and flying LikeABadassOutOfHell are all possibilities. These last two have been known to backfire though, in that having Death fear you may make it [[WhoWantsToLiveForever not want to "reap" you either]].

This is the problem with fighting Death, [[EverybodyHatesHades Hades]], TheDevil, {{Psychopomp}}s, {{Anthropomorphic Personification}}s or even {{God}}. You just can't win. At least... not unless you get ''really'' creative and thorough. If all that matters is that there be ''A'' Death, then replacing him with someone friendlier (or at least someone with whom deals can be struck and honored) can be a way to go. This can be done by appealing to someone [[LowestCosmicDenominator higher on the divinity ladder]], getting someone else to [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt kill and replace Death]] (or doing so ''yourself'', if you're willing to accept what's probably not the most pleasant job for the rest of eternity), and flying LikeABadassOutOfHell are all possibilities. These last two have been known to backfire though, in that having Death fear you may make it not want to "reap" you either.

This is the problem with fighting Death, [[EverybodyHatesHades Hades]], TheDevil, {{Psychopomps}}, {{Anthropomorphic Personification}}s or even {{God}}. You just can't win. At least... not unless you get ''really'' creative and thorough. If all that matters is that there be ''A'' Death, then replacing him with someone friendlier (or at least someone with whom deals can be struck and honored) can be a way to go. This can be done by appealing to someone [[LowestCosmicDenominator higher on the divinity ladder]], getting someone else to [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt kill and replace Death]] (or doing so ''yourself'', if you're willing to accept what's probably not the most pleasant job for the rest of eternity), and flying LikeABadassOutOfHell are all possibilities. These last two have been known to backfire though, in that having Death fear you may make it not want to "reap" you either.

* In ''TheSandman'' Morpheus, the AnthropomorphicPersonification of dreams, uses this trope to his advantage. When surrounded by the hosts of {{Hell}} intent on tearing him apart, he points out that without the ability to dream of a free and happy future (or worse punishments), the tortured souls of hell would despair and rise up in a revolt their jailers couldn't stop.

This is the problem with fighting Death, [[EverybodyHatesHades Hades]], TheDevil, {{Psychopomps}}, {{Anthropomorphic Personification}}s or even {{God}}. You just can't win. At least... not unless you get ''really'' creative and thorough. If all that matters is that there be ''A'' Death, then replacing him with someone friendlier (or at least someone with whom deals can be struck and honored) can be a way to go. This can be done by appealing to someone [[LowestCosmicDenominator higher on the divinity ladder]], getting someone else to [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt kill and replace Death]], and flying LikeABadassOutOfHell are all possibilities. These last two have been known to backfire though, in that having Death fear you may make it not want to "reap" you either.

* Explicitly dealt with in ''EarthX's'' sequel ''Paradise X''. After CaptainMarvel kills Death, the old and sick start piling up. They resort to recruiting Jude the Entropic Man to dematerialize those who seek the relief of death, going on to the Paradise Mar-Vell constructed.

This is the problem with fighting Death, [[EverybodyHatesHades Hades]], TheDevil, {{Psychopomp}}s, {{Anthropomorphic Personification}}s or even {{God}}. You just can't win. At least... not unless you get ''really'' creative and thorough. If all that matters is that there be ''A'' Death, then replacing him with someone friendlier (or at least someone with whom deals can be struck and honored) can be a way to go. This can be done by appealing to someone [[LowestCosmicDenominator higher on the divinity ladder]], getting someone else to [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt kill and replace Death]], and flying LikeABadassOutOfHell are all possibilities. These last two have been known to backfire though, in that having Death fear you may make it not want to "reap" you either.

* In myth, there's the old story of 'The Russian Soldier', who trapped Death in a magical bag. This resulted in DeathTakesAHoliday, so nobody could die - the suffering of the wounded was extended, and the old just became more and more tired and infirm... eventually, hearing the cries of the people, he released Death from the bag, expecting to become his first victim - but Death was frightened by the soldier's powers, and fled from him before resuming his duties... Which was all fine and dandy until, of course, the SOLDIER grew old, and Death would not come for him. Growing older and weaker, he became tired and weary of life... WhoWantsToLiveForever, right? He even tried to walk to the gates of Heaven himself, but they wouldn't let him in - he had sinned against the natural order of things by preventing Death from doing his job, after all. He then resigned himself to his fate and walked to the gates of Hell... but the Devil knew of his reputation, and was afraid that he'd be LikeABadassOutOfHell and take over, so he barred the doors and refused to let him in. And so, due to his fight with Death, the Russian Soldier had all paths to the final end denied to him... and some say, he wanders still, hoping for the day he will be forgiven and allowed to rest at last...
* The legend of Stingy Jack.

* The story of the three brothers from the last HarryPotter books uses this.

* JimHenson's ''TheStoryteller'' has a retelling of the Russian Soldier's story.

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