“Griffith... You were always looking up, climbing higher and higher. That was all you cared about. Rising up to the top, like a lone hawk. Yes, you never lowered yourself to our level. Us lowly mortals who are bound to the earth.” Guts, Vol. 10 Ch. 3

No analysis of Griffith would be complete without discussing his icy sense of pride. He was always above everyone and held the whole world in his hands. He came from nothing and soared to unimaginable heights, only to drop down lower than he started with. He was an inch away from achieving his ultimate goal, but one mistake was enough to take away not only his accomplishments, but also his dignity. All the people he towered over in his prime, who loved and admired him as a living god, now looked down on him with pity. His life was at the whim of others. Many of his remaining soldiers gave up on him, until only the most loyal were left. Yes, at least he still had Guts and Caska.

“Griffith’s so small... And trembles so... Griffith is so... Proud... I can’t go now... I’m sorry...” Caska, Vol. 12 Ch. 2

Griffith spent most of his time huddled alone in a wagon, but now and again he would overhear happenings from outside. One time, when Caska thought he was asleep, she figured it was safe to discuss her plans with Guts. This was the first time Griffith knew beyond any reasonable doubt that Guts and Caska were an item. See, before Griffith became such an inconvenience, Caska was determined to run off with Guts on his quest for the meaning of life. Now she felt obligated to stay. And to make matters worse...

“If you’re Griffith’s friend, you must go. You... must go... Alone.” Caska, Vol. 12 Ch. 2

...Guts was leaving – again. Caska reminded him of Griffith’s speech about dreams and friendship back at the Prom Rose Palace, and told him that if he truly considered himself Griffith’s friend and equal, he had to follow his own dream. Griffith would’ve wanted that.

“Yes... I’ve rested long enough. I have to go. This playing hasn’t ended yet. This stone paved alleyway still continues.” Griffith, Vol. 12 Ch. 3

Griffith would’ve wanted that, my ass!! Didn’t the incident from last year teach anyone anything?! Griffith snapped – again – and when Griffith snaps and does something stupid, bad things happen!! It was bad enough that he lost his good looks, his fighting prowess, his reputation, his army, and his ability to do basic tasks, but he was also being abandoned by the person he cared about most in the world. A person whose undivided attention he no longer had, because he was in love with Griffith’s second favorite person in the world, and this effectively took both of them out of his reach. Griffith’s fall from grace was now complete. He had nothing else to hold onto, not even his sanity, and became open to the suggestions of demons. They seduced him with visions of his former glory and promised that his dream was not yet over. His hope restored, Griffith took up the reins (in his mouth) and hijacked the wagon. Everyone had forsaken him, so he would forsake them to pursue his ambition. He didn’t get very far, though.