Theme 1: The consequences of greed can lead to destruction and betrayal.
Text Evidence: The three rioters in the tale set out to kill Death after hearing that death has taken their friend. However, upon finding gold coins, they become consumed by greed, ultimately leading to their downfall. As they plot to murder one another to keep the gold for themselves, it becomes clear that their greed has driven them to betrayal and death.
Commentary: This theme underscores the moral lesson that avarice can corrupt relationships and lead individuals to their own demise. The rioters' initial noble quest to confront death is overshadowed by their insatiable desire for wealth, demonstrating how greed morphs honorable intentions into treacherous action, resulting in mutual destruction.
Theme 2: Death is an inevitable force that cannot be escaped by material wealth or violence.
Text Evidence: Despite the rioters' attempts to outsmart death and use gold to evade it, they ultimately fall victim to their own schemes. The irony lies in the fact that in seeking to kill death, they end up dead themselves.
Commentary: This theme highlights the futility of trying to escape death through greed and violence. The tale illustrates that no amount of wealth can spare one from mortality, thus reinforcing the idea that all humans must confront death eventually. The rioters’ misadventures serve as a stark reminder of their mortality, emphasizing the inevitability of death regardless of one's social status or possessions.