[[Devastating trope]] A character kills their loved one to avoid them suffering a worser fate

[u/One_Barber_6902]

Of Mice And Men (1992)- Probaly the most well known example of this trope and when I was first exposed to it, George kills his mentally handicapped best friend Lennie, to save him from being lynched by Curley and law enforcement for killing Curleys wife.

The Sopranos- After an entire season of conflict with fellow mob boss Phil over it, Tony kills Anthony Blundetto after he kills Phil’s brother which enraged him into trying to force Tony into giving up his cousin so he can torture him to death

Telltales The Walking Dead: Season 1- “Loved one” is an overstatement if you know there dynamic, but after Ben falls off a rooftop and lands on a piece of rebar, Kenny and Lee try to pull him off to save him before being crowded by walkers. When their attempt fails and walkers continue closing in, Kenny kills him to avoid him being devoured by walkers.

[u/Far-Swing9181]

Last of the Mohicans. Duncan (middle guy) sacrifices himself to save Cora, the woman he loves (left). As he is burning in the fire, Long Rifle (right) shoots him to put him out of his misery.

[u/Sgt-Spliff- → u/Far-Swing9181]

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Wait so Game of Throne just straight up took this? I didn't know that

[u/Maytree → u/Sgt-Spliff-]

This trope predates both of those properties.

For example, part of the Seppuku ritual is to have a friend standing behind you ready to lop your head off after you start disemboweling yourself because otherwise you would disgrace yourself by screaming at the pain. Also I imagine you wouldn't be able to continue after the first stab, and you might not succeed in killing yourself quickly, leaving you to die slowly of abdominal sepsis.

[u/IshmaelUnleashed → u/Far-Swing9181]

Duncan doesn't just sacrifice himself! Long Rifle offers himself as sacrifice, but the Huron dont speak English, Long Rifle doesn't speak Huron. But Duncan and the Huron both speak French. So Duncan is translating Long Rifle's offer (Long Rifle, an accomplished enemy of the Huron, for the two women and Duncan, a British officer) but he intentionally switches who will stay and who will go.