I’m curious to know exactly what Anon sees as evidence that Guts is now motivated by guilt rather than love. I can only assume that Anon mean his subsequent withdrawal from taking an active role in Casca’s care? I would love clarification if this is not the case, but it is the only thing I can think of.
I think Guts was ashamed that he allowed his inner darkness to gain control in such a terrible way but more than that, it TERRIFIED him. Consider his past. Guts is intimately familiar with how horrific sexual assault is, being the survivor of a brutal childhood rape himself and having a dear friend/lover subjected to it right before his eyes. He absolutely, unequivocally, HATES rape. We see the rage that the sight of rape or attempted rape inspires in him several times. In fact, I don’t think it would at all be a stretch to suggest that Guts considers rape the most vile and despicable thing in the world in which he lives. So the fact that the Beast of Darkness inside him was able to gain such control that he almost committed that cardinal sin? That he almost raped Casca (the woman he loves so much he gave up a two year revenge rampage) and in fact did assault her in a sexual manner? That scared the absolute shit out of Guts.
As he says himself in Episode 191: “Wilderness Reunion”, “I’m shuddering at my own sinisterness. I’m beaten down by my own powerlessness.” In short, Guts does not trust himself to be anywhere near Casca. His continual struggle to control the beast of darkness during battle only reaffirms his fear of what he might do. As another example of that fear, consider Guts’ nightmare in 290 “Howl from the Darkness” Or 199 “Mansion of the Spirit Tree (1)” When Guts thinks “I would only hurt you” In reference to Casca. So there’s fear, and then there’s also respecting Casca’s wishes–especially after an incident where she felt her wishes were not heeded. She’s afraid of him, she hides behind Farnese any time he’s within ten feet, and if he truly loves her, shouldn’t he do his best to keep his distance so she feels safe on the journey? Wouldn’t he be kind of an asshole if he tried to continue in the caregiver role–bathe Casca, feed her–despite her very clear desire for him to stay away from her?
So there are obvious reasons Guts no longer actively engages in caring for her that don’t have to be motivated by guilt, but rather the desire to keep her safe, even if that means keeping her safe from himself. We actually see him slip in 328 “Shooting Star,” drawn out of bed by Casca sounding distressed. He immediately gets up to see what is wrong, what she needs, just like he would have before. It is only Farnese’s reminder that he will get her “more addled” that sobers him. Does the fact that Guts withdrawals from a primary caregiver role in Casca’s life and focuses on protecting her and getting her to Elfhelm instead mean he no longer loves her? Why should it?
As evidence that his love for her hasn’t changed, consider first that while the way he interacts with her has changed because of the incident, nothing else has. His goal is still protecting her, just as it was before. Second, consider two incidences in which the Beast of Darkness takes control of Guts, and thoughts of Casca pull him from armor. In 229 “Departure of Flame,” It is Schierke reminding him of Casca that draws him out of the armor. In 316 “Full Moon (1)”, the moonlight boy shows Casca to Guts to draw him out of the armor again. He tells Guts, “That’s right. You mustn’t lose it. You mustn’t destroy it.” As panels of Casca, then Guts’ other companions appear. “It” being “guilt” doesn’t seem to fit very well, does it?
Third, consider thematically that when Guts’ goal shifted from Guts to Griffith, it was love for Casca that shifted it. In 130 “A Feeble Flame,” Guts vows to stop his quest for vengeance and to go to Casca’s side instead because she is his last precious thing. This is despite the presence of the beast, large and imposing behind him, reminding him of his rage. The reminder of Casca, his last precious thing, is what causes him to cast aside revenge, and her place as that “precious thing” is what has continually stopped him from returning to the trail of vengeance since. How can guilt become the motivator instead? What is the natural opposite of hate? It isn’t guilt–it’s (prepare for cheese dammit) love. How can guilt reduce immeasurable hatred? Doesn’t guilt only compound rage–expand it–become something that the Beast of Darkness can just use as more fuel to feed the fire of vengeance against Griffith? It’s Griffith’s fault it came to this. It is Griffith who is responsible and Griffith who must be ultimately destroyed. The Beast of Darkness itself says in 290 “Howl from the Darkness” that his companions will die, and then they will just become more fuel for his vengeance. At no point do we ever see evidence that guilt shifts to being the thing that pulls Guts from his hate. It is Casca, reminders of her, and her being in danger. This is why the Beast of Darkness continually goads him to kill her. Because it knows his love for her is the only thing that truly keeps it chained. Could chains of guilt really hold it? Personally I don’t see how. Fourth, consider the phrase that haunts Guts from volume 28 onwards: “There is no guarantee that your wish will be her wish.” Guts thinks about this several times with worry, and what wish would he be worried about if all that motivated him was guilt?
Fifth, consider the quiet moments when Guts draws enjoyment just from seeing Casca at peace, or thinks excitedly about her eventual return.
Ultimately, I think you have to decide for yourself whether it is guilt or love that most deeply motivates him. But I think it is absolutely love.
He sees her at her best all the time.He is guilty towards making her suffer, not guilty when it comes to his feelings. Just look at Guts after seeing Casca smile after so long. It’s an eyeshot, but it’s more than enough.
That moment when you finally found someone in your life instead of trusting inanimate objects
the mirrored arcs of guts and casca and how they focus on their roles as weapons and soldiers and tools for powerful men. and how those roles have betrayed them and fitted them so badly. more and more so as they grow older and their personalities and beliefs start bursting out at the seams. they’re people. grouchy complicated loving people who in every respect are more than what they were meant to be. and who have so much more to be.
Healing from complex trauma and PTSD. The power of love.
Have you ever noticed how Guts fought and risking his life because he wanted to win, especially in the golden age arc? See 100 Man Slayer, see Wyald.
Now if you look at berserker armor chapters and onwards, he fights because he has to if he wants Casca be safe.
At Vritannis, he only fought the Daka because there was no other way than to slay through them. Guts with the help of Zodd then defeated Ganishka because he was a threat to the journey. After that, he’s even rejecting Zodd.
Similar can be said about the sea god. Letting the sea god alive during the festival would have risked the sea horse and everything that’s inside getting eaten. Here too, a threat to the journey.
Guts telling Zodd to get the fuck outta his face is pretty savage though.
Guts found something he loves more than fighting and that shit is heart warming
My full piece of my contribution to a Berserk zine ^p^ It was inked traditionally with nib on 11×17 Bristol board and boy howdy that’s a terrifying experience not to mess up with LOL
Stressed, Depressed, and Story Obsessed 