The Macabre Origins of the Grim Reaper (feat.
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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There are fewer images of Death personified than the scythe-wielding skeletal form of the Grim Reaper. But where did it come from? You may have heard that this haunting figure emerged as a result of the Black Plague, but that’s only a fraction of the story. Featuring @AskAMortician, this episode looks at the long history of skeletal Death in religion, literature, art, and pop culture. From violent reaper to dark lover and virtually everything in between, there’s a lot more to Death than, well, Death. #grimreaper #mythology #MonstrumPBS
Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Stephanie Noone
Illustrator: Samuel Allen
Editor: Ray Lux
Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans' unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.
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Bibliography
Burke, Joseph P. The Black Death. Greenwood Press, 2004.
"Chronos." Britannica Academic, Encyclopædia Britannica, 26 Sep. 2018.
"Cronus." Britannica Academic, Encyclopædia Britannica, 26 Sep. 2018.
Gertsman, Elina. The Dance of Death in the Middle Ages: Image, Text, Performance. Brepolis, 2010.
Goetz, Hans-Werner. Life In the Middle Ages: From the Seventh to the Thirteenth Century. E-book, Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press, 1993.
Guthke, Karl S. The Gender of Death: A Cultural History in Art and Literature. Cambridge University Press, 1999.
Kinch, Ashby. “Image, Ideology, and Form: The Middle English ‘Three Dead Kings’ in Its Iconographic Context.” The Chaucer Review, vol. 43, no. 1, The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2008, pp. 48-81.
Kurtz, Leonard P. The Dance of Death and the Macabre Spirit in European Literature. Gordon Press, 1975.
OED Online, Oxford University Press, March 2021.
Roberts, Michael. “Sickles and Scythes: Women’s work and Men’s Work at Harvest Time.” History Workshop, no. 7, Spring 1979, pp. 3-28.
Stone, David. Decision-Making in Medieval Agriculture, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2005.
Tholuck, August. The Circle of Human Life. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1860.
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This episode has something for everyone: Greek mythology, vivid depictions of death incarnate, and Caitlin's bangs
Yes Death Momma Catlin Doughty & Dr Z together in the same video! 😁😄👍 What an *AWESOME* gift for the 4th of July! 💀
I totally read this is Stefan’s voice
@@emv8869 as intended 😊
What about the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy?
Don’t forget that cool t-shirt Dr Z was using
Fun fact: Scythe's are not practical as weapons. Sometimes farmers would use them in an uprising because it was what they had. This would make the grim reaper using one less of a warrior and more of a farmer.
But there are also battle scythes, which were specifically made to be weilded in a fight.
This is the crossover we needed.
I don't have the words for how delighted I am to see this. Legendary feels close though.
I agree
Definitely!
I came here to say exactly this
I got so excited.
"The Grimm Reaper should be the Grimm Mower" - Caitlin
"Scytheman" - Germany
Scytheman got unemploymed years ago in Germany. We have „Lawn Mower Man“ now….cause we are into efficiency and stuff
@@Das_Kaenguru So what do i do?
Grim*
Grim means dark, depressing, uninviting.
Grimm is the surname from the fairytales.
Grim comes from the same place Grimm does, but one's a name and the other's an adjective. A Grimm Reaper is one who reaps people named Grimm.
@@Richard_Nickerson No, he is just the Reaper named Grimm.
@@Carewolf
Nah. Grammatically, it's what I said.
Great, now I'm imagining Death running around chasing folks with a push mower.
ROTFLMAO!🤣🚜💀
In Terry Pratchett's Discworld, the Grim Reapers of other planets sometimes use combine harvesters.
And the Death of the Discworld defeats a combine harvester in a John Henry style contest (with the help of some sabotage)
Funnily enough, the manga/anime "Black Butler" actually has a Grim Reaper character that modified his scythe to look like a push mower. The character's name is Ronald Knox, if you want to look him up.
I'm imagining him trying to start it whilst streaming expletives in small capitals...
I was so keen for this I didn't even notice that it said this is a collab with Ask a Mortician. I screamed like a little girl when Caitlin appeared! Animated skeletons are easily my favourite horror trope. If they're yours too I strongly recommend Percival Landon's short story _Thurnley Abbey._
Thank you for the recommendation
I also screamed...
@@jessicaclakley3691 My pleasure! Hope you enjoy it!
I’ve now just learned about her because of this channel. I love her already 🤩
@@dianaadhdchannel Welcome young Deathling!
Until now, the character Death, from Neil Gaiman's Sandman, was the only female Death I was aware of. Thank you for a fascinating trip through the history of Death.
Another version is Azrael from Lucifer, she was mentioned as Lucifer and Amenadiel's sister but doesn't show up until episode 326 (S3E26). It was interesting seeing a version who was a kind and pleasant dork rather than a terrifying image; "I only ever hang out with dead people they're so...morose."
I was quite pleased to hear that, because in my D&D game the death deity appears as masculine, feminine or skeletal-neuter depending on circumstances, and also is neither evil nor good.
In Spain we always see death as a woman, there is even an old military song where soldiers refer to themselves as Death‘s groom, you know like they are her boyfriend?
Not necessarily Death, but In the Supernatural series, the first Reaper was male until Crowley killed him off, then the new Reaper was female. I thought that was a very different take on the it,, to see that the gender of the Reaper could be either gender as long as they were good for the role.
The Kindred in LoL are two entities that never leave each other's side, and Lamb is (I'm assuming anyways by her voice) a female
Pratchett's Death is iconic:
Albert - "Never say die, that's our motto!"
Death - "I CAN'T SAY IT'S EVER BEEN MINE."
Teatime - "Don't try any last-minute stuff!"
Death - "I *AM* LAST MINUTE STUFF."
I didn't give you a start, I gave you a stop!
No I'm the Final Note
...Silence...
-Bill Door💀
You might be a king or a little street sweeper but sooner or later you'll dance with the Reaper.
Thumbs up 👍for the Bill and Ted reference
This was actually said by a prisoner just before his execution in the USA
@@andrewbond4353 It was also said by the Grim Reaper in "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey". ua-cam.com/video/N9YpnklYhxY/v-deo.html
Oh, I like that. is that a quote or entirely you?
@@emiliaortiz2458 It's from "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey". ua-cam.com/video/N9YpnklYhxY/v-deo.html
If I die and the death coming for me is not Death from Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics, I'm not dying.
I haven't read Sandman, but if it's the same Death there as in the. Terry Pratchett Discworld novels then I can whole heartedly agree with you. 💀
@@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980 Sandman's Death is female and less "skeleton in robes".
@@giladpellaeon1691 Who else thinks Caitlin could do a great cosplay of Death from Sandman?
@@giladpellaeon1691 Cool, but I think I'd prefer Terry Pratchett's Death to come for me. Then I could at least have a curry before I went to the Great Beyond. 🍛💀 🤣
@@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980 And probably get to pet a kitty too. Because CATS ARE NICE
"It’s funny. The day you lose someone isn’t the worst - at least you’ve got something to do. It’s all the days they stay dead." - The Doctor
There is a book called the Book Thief and it is written from the perspective of one of the best depictions of death as someone neutral and fair.
For people that are as interested in the concept of death as me.
Ah i have to read that book again, I remember liking it.
My personal favourite depiction of the Reaper is the Terry Pratchett Death.
I'd say it's between Death from Hogfather and Azrael from Lucifer. One is calm but authoritative and compassionate "Then we have an agreement," the other is kind and somewhat dorky and had a great reveal as the Angel of Death; "what too cool to call me Rae-Rae anymore?"
Aww, was hoping to see mention of Malthael in Diablo using two sickles or how death can be portrayed to children as in the Cartoon Network show "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy"
THERE IS NO JUSTICE, THERE IS JUST ME.
With regards and thanks to Mr Terry Practhett. Oh and never quote Death, only Ravens.
GNU Sir Terry Pratchett 😔
GNU Sir Terry
@@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980
Excuse my ignorance, but what does GNU stand for?
@@amarketing8749 it comes from Going Postal. In the book the Discworld have gained internet-like technology called Clacks. GNU is a code that means:
"“G” means that the message must be passed on, “N” means “not logged”, and “U” means the message should be turned around at the end of a line."
@@BeatrixOnyx @a marketing It can also be construed as “Good Night Universe”.
As a number one fan of PBS shows and of Cait - this video makes me SO HAPPY ♥
Yes Death Momma Catlin Doughty & Dr Z together in the same video! 😁😄👍 What an *AWESOME* gift for the 4th of July! 💀
I love the way Terry Pratchett wrote Death. It was always so personal and relatable. Though I think Susan was my favorite part-time Death.
4:28 correction: in Slavic languages (at least the two that i know) the word for death, smrt, is female and is depicted as a pale, skinny old woman in stories.
Can confirm, death is female in Russian, my mother tongue.
Actually shocked to learn that there are cultures in which Death is NOT female
As a Pole, I caught this mistake too (śmierć is a female noun)
Death is often seen as female in Spanish speaking countries too (the pronoun used to refer to Death, "La", is exclusively used for female nouns which the spanish word for Death, "Muerte", counts as. We refer to Death as a concept or person as "La Muerte")
@@riograndedosulball248 You're not the only one - one of the most common questions (besides the Sto Lat one) Terry Pratchett got when he came to Poland was why is DEATH male.
One of the best portrayals is when the Warner Brothers and their Sister Dot meet Death. And Terry Pratchett's Death is the definitive version.
Sir Terry Pratchett made Death more relatable than any other writer I know of.
GNU Sir Terry 😔
I've read that many terminally ill fans found comfort in Pratchett's portrayal of Death.
I haven't lost a game of checkers since the beginning of time...I think it was a Tuesday. Not a lot of people know that.
I'm kinda surprised Grim from the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy wasn't mentioned. His character is one of the funniest and most entertaining takes on the entity, in my opinion.
A crossover...between two of my favorite grim-themed YT channels...sponsored by a site I use almost daily? Awesome
Grim also means "masked." As in Isengrim, Iron Mask, the beast fable name for a wolf.
The grim repear is absolutly a cool thing.
One of my favorites.
If you like bayonetta and borderlands then you'll be pleased to play darksiders 2
@@Son0v4l1ch
I have played Darksider 2 but have never finished it.
Grim reaper : 🏴 England medieval forest death spirit men dark hooded skeleton reaper scythe die people
I remember fighting him in dragon's dogma but damn he one hit kills you a lot.
Might I ask how many people scream "TATAKAE" around you?
Really? It's instead a fresh memory for me of Dante's Inferno
My favorite form of death has always been Kindred from League of Legends. How they personify a peaceful and brutal death, the way they speak to one another and others, can't get enough of them. "Those who run from death, stood still in life"
No mention of Death from Sandman [sad face]
The DMV persona was best presented by the late Terry Pratchett, in his Discworld novels, Death was a bored bureaucrat trying to leave his dull monotonous life and live a more vibrant one, going so far as to adopt a child (a female in a nod to the Grim Mowress alluded to in this video), make friends and have hobbies.
This version of death was probably the most endearing to Gen X and Y English language readers, of whom I'm one, since it tried to disarm a malevolent character and show it a more benevolent if not humane light...
This obviously ended with Pratchett's career/life and now we are back to the scary hardcore death of past years.🤦♂️
Death as a DMV persona . . . I don't remember this being brought up in the video, but your mention just reminded me of Paul Simon's song "The Afterlife".
Just fill in the form and stand in the line . . . .
Don’t know why, but I want Emily to watch “The Ancient Magus Bride” and give her best theory on what Elias is.
YES PLEASE
a good husband is what he is :)
Life? One can not exist without the other. I am not familiar with the story.
One of the most iconic portrayals of the Grim Reaper in Western Animation is Grim in both Grim and Evil as well as The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy! He's a well meaning guy, voiced by Greg Eagles(current voice of Aku Aku in the Crash Bandicoot franchise)and considered a Butt-Monkey since he was treated terribly by two kids who hired him. There's plenty of Reapers in popular culture to pick out, but another meaning of death(aside from other personifications such as Thanatos and Chronos)goes by the title of Dance Macabre, aka the dance to death. Another example is a Japanese entity known as the Shinigami(translated from Japanese as Death God, since the former wife or sister of Izanagi called Izanami, who died giving birth to the God of infernal flames Hinokazawa), but those are related stories to tell, but not for long.
This makes me so happy. Two of my favorites on UA-cam doing a collab! I wonder when a sort of standardized image of the Grim Reaper came into existence. Would also be interesting to know a bit about how the Grim Reaper is connected to the Angel of Death.
Omg this crossover with "ask a mortician" is all I ever wanted 😍✨💀🦴
Dr Emily Zarka collaborations feel like getting a pack of m&ms, opening them and finding half the pack are m&ms and the other half are just regular nuts.
Caitlin talking about myths and monsters???? Yes??? One hundred times yes! These 2 have to partner up more often!
Side-note: In Norway, the plague was personified as an old woman wielding either a rake or a broom. If you saw her using the latter, it would mean that the entire village would get swept away by the plague. If she used the rake, however, then some few would survive. Her name was "Pesta", meaning quite literally "The plague"
when I was little, I dealt with a lot of abuse. I had a lot of friends and parental figures who... "disappeared". and those memories would wake me up with nightmares or keep me from sleeping. and I remember on those nights, or after an attempt to "unalive" myself, the grim reaper would sit with me and comfort me while I cried. they were quiet and warm and comforting. they'd just stay with me. they were a good friend
amazing episode, very educational!! thank you!!
I have to say that the art that came out of the Black Death period is morbid but extremely captivating. They knew how to capture the mood of the era really well. They are the perfect emotional counterpart to any historical dissertation on that crisis.
NGL Neil Gaiman's Death is my favorite, but Sir Terry Pratchett's is a close (nearly equal) second 😍 Excellent video as always, Dr Z! I've always wondered when the Grim Reaper started to become synonymous with death (and hwy the scythe). Thank you both
The painting at 7:00 is by Salvator Rosa and is called 'Human Frailty'. The woman in the picture is Rosa's mistress, and the child is their infant son who died of plague. I first saw this painting when I was a small child, when my mother took me to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, near where we lived at the time, and I saw it hanging there. It has haunted me ever since.
I like to imagine that Death is actually Caitlin, I'd say that would be a very comforting way to go
Ohhh myyy... Be still my beating heart... It skipped a beat when I saw this video... Great combination death and beauty... Caitlin, formaldehyde yesterday and Grim today 😁 ❤️
"Everyone thinks they'll be the one to defeat me, but no one's escaped me yet."
Death.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).
Seriously! I recently started watching Caitlin and now she's on here! I have to get out of my internet bubble. 😆 all my UA-camrs crossover in each others' videos
Yes Death Momma Catlin Doughty & Dr Z together in the same video! 😁😄👍 What an *AWESOME* gift for the 4th of July! 💀
When I think of the Grim Reaper, I think of "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy", which doesn't have a proper series finale. The creator wrote a treatment for a series finale movie, but CN rejected it, even though the show's popular and EVERYTHING's getting a reboot.
Also, CN should finish the very popular Infinity Train.
I love your shirt.
Fascinating. Great episode Dr Zarka.
Two of my favorite UA-cam explicators, in one fine film!
Thanks for including the bloopers Dr Z!
Caitlin's touch turns everything to morbid gold.
Came to watch a video about the Grim Reaper. Didn't expect to see Caitlin!
This is a crossover I never knew I needed.
In India as well, people used the personification of Death to depict the dangers of CoViD-19 and to wear a mask. However our death is a bit different. He rides a Water Buffalo and bears a mace instead of a scythe, a warrior's weapon. From wiki:-
"Yama, also known as Yamaraj, Kal, and Dharmaraj is the Hindu god of death and justice, responsible for the dispensation of law and punishment of sinners in his abode, Yamaloka. He is often identified with Dharma, the personification of Dharma, though they have different origins and mythologies."
Hence, our death is also known as Time (Kal) and upholder of Dharma (cosmic law). Hence he is seen as well as depicted as warrior that fights injustice and sinners. Instead of an indiscriminate farmer or mower of souls. But...that's just religion.
The world doesn't feel righteous or just at times. And sometimes, all innocents die. And there is no answer. European personification of an indiscriminate Death might be more accurate given that our Death's personification may have instead been owed to a time full of good Kings and warrior castes ready to protect the victims and the innocent.
Varney the Vampire: "Huh, neat."
I was surprised that there was no mention of the Mexican folk saint Santa Muerte, and the meteoric rise the faith has had both in Mexico and the US...
Please do a video on the skinwalkers. Just recently came across the Monstrum videos, and I'm hooked!
I was a 4-5 year old when Australia introduced the Grim Reaper AIDS ads. They were only shown after 8:30pm, and only for a few weeks; authorities didn't want to scare children if they could help it. That said, many children of my generation WERE transited. I remember going to the bathroom late at night one night, and walking through the lounge room to get there. As you would, I looked up to see what was on the TV, and saw the Grim Reaper bowling down people. Obviously I didn't understand what AIDS was, I didn't even know what the ad was about until some years had past. But that snippet made me swear with all of my 5 year old heart to never do whatever it was that caused that bowling ball of death to knock people down.
And those ads were affective, if not without their issues. Sure, looking back, all of the numbers quoted are hugely inaccurate; but they could well have been correct had people not changed their behaviour. They made it clear that it could affect anyone, if any age, any gender or sexual identity; no one was immune. And, by and large, they worked.
You might be a King or a little Street Sweeper but sooner or later you dance with the Reaper.
I love these episodes, when my favorite superheroes team up.
this reminds me of the grim reapers from black butler manga, where they are portrayed as bureaucrats with a list of souls to collect. each reapers has their own deathscythes aka the weapon they use to collect souls and one of them literally use a lawnmower. its been a while since i read the manga but this video reminds me of the manga
Monstrum and Caitlin coming together is a dream come true!
I've never heard many of these facts. Great team up with Caitlin! Oh, I'd say my favorite Reaper is "Grim" from "The Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy."
"I am the Grim Reaper, mon. Dig me mondo scythe."
Nice episode and I liked Caitlin's additions.
Also: love the shirt.
There's always that awesome feeling you get when someone watches you girls mentioning something from his history. I'm from Greece and I especially loved this episode for this exact reason. (Also I like your accent when you say Xronos 😏😍😊)
I love Caitlin’ wall decor. The birds make her look like she has protruding horns, looking like Marvel’s own depiction of death personified Hela, goddess of death and ruler of Hel.
6:23
"The Grim Mower" sounds like something the dogs would have in their folk tales. A spirit that takes the form of a metal stroller with blades, and claims the souls of old dogs
I liked Dead Like Me, it had a comedic take on death in a lot of their cases and Mandy Patinkin's food obsession was a good running gag, all their business meeting took place in a restaurant and the fact Reapers have to get a day job to pay their rent was a nice touch. Food solves every problem, have some waffles. I even watched them filming some scenes around Vancouver during it's production.
I can't believe the 7th seal wasn't mentioned, which generated a whole number of tropes of its own about death.
Unexpected but awesome crossover!
Terry Pratchett's discworld has my favorite portrayal of death, in particular the book Mort
My experience is that with the passing years The Grim Reaper turns into S. Francis's "sweet sister death". Death ceases to be something to fear, but rather, to be welcomed as the promise of release from the cares of the world. Whether an afterlife or oblivion doesn't really matter.
A little sad that John Dunne wasn't mentioned at all. The holy sonnets include "death be not proud..." Great stuff
The Avengers is the most ambitious crossover event in h....... I stand corrected.
I love that Caitlin is getting around. Spread the death positive message!
I squealed a little when I saw Caitlin is in this episode!!! Two of my favorite UA-cam channels in one place!!!
My image of the Grim Reaper these days comes courtesy of the dramatisations of Terry Prachett's Discworld novels, in particular The Hogfather, and his character DEATH, who is brilliantly given voice by the amazing Ian Richardson. A being of immense age, and yet slightly naive. A being of compassion, and yet great in his anger. And more than a little bit kooky.
I didn't read the full title when I started this, needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when Caitlin popped in!!
8:45 "something with a face, maybe with a personality" Terry Pratchet's Death: Uh huh?
Fantastic episode, ladies!
I'm so surprised that out of all the pop culture references drawn on for this, Terry PratchettDeath wasn't included. Wonderfully put together, and a fantastic exploration into the reaper!
I think my favourite interpretation of Death is the one from sir Terry Pratchett's novels. An infinitely wise being that doesn't quite understand human things like plumbing, door handles and swings but is still fascinated by humans. Be it in a way that a ratcatcher admires rats. And he loves cats and some curry, has a white horse named Binky and a daughter, apprentice and later a granddaughter named Susan. And old Albert, his servant. He's very powerful but cute.
A shame there was no reference to the amazing DEATH of Terry Pratchett's Discworld Series...
The association with harvest may come from the scriptures where the chosen are “wheat” and the dammed are “tares” to be separated and burned 🔥
Yessss a crossover for the ages!
Great episode! I really enjoy both Storied and Ask a Mortician, so this was great! My favorite personification of Death is the one in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels. I'd like him to be the one who comes for me when it's time
This is the collab I didn’t know i needed
This is like when you run into a friend while with another friend and go to introduce them only to find that already know each other!
Notice how death is a Farmer. Not a Wall Street executive, not a millionaire, not a celebrity, not a stock trader, not a lawyer, not a scheming businessman. A Farmer, the most basic and most necessary of jobs. If you are one of the poor, I would imagine that the Grim Reaper has a lot of sympathy for you, since he himself is a farmer, a peasant even. But if you are one who oppresses the poor, how do you think the Grim Reaper will treat you?
Oh I don't know, in most iterations, he seems to be pretty indifferent to most lives taken, only occasionally pitying souls. I do see what you're saying though, and it is probably pretty notable he's a farmer.
Whatever the crops are, they need to be reaped and collected.
Wish they could have mentioned Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman interpretation of death both amazing and fascinating characters 💀 maybe another one were they explain some of literature‘s greatest Interpretations of death as a character
If you want one of the best depictions of Death, read the Discworld books. There are a few focusing on Death himself, but he appears in all of the books but two, out of 41. He is one of my favorite fictional characters ever.
You forgot quite possibly the best rendition of Death ever conceived: Terry Pratchett's Death from Discworld.
And now in the 21st century, with Manga and Anime, we have hot, goth "well shaped" ladies in robes, welcoming us Chunnis, hikkomori's, neets and weebs into the warm bosom of death......
Cause, why not?
@@mikakestudios5891 Exactly! I for one welcome our hot new Death!
The background behind Caitlyn is reminiscent of Hela in Thor Ragnarok 😁
Love the Death Mother cameo
This is so awesome! I’d love to see a video comparing the personifications of death across different cultures!
The incarnation of death, my favourite character in any franchise.
My main favourites being from supernatural and DC comics
Grim in his combine harvester goes out to mow his lawn everyday.
2 of my favorite UA-camrs omg
Two of my favorite women on youtube teaming up! I love it! More Monstrum please!!!
i love the story of "death adopting a son" where he becomes a doctor and if he stood at the head of the bed it would mean the patient would survive and at the feet of the bed they would die!
Great episode and super cool you got Caitlin as a guest!