Berserk: Why Guts Is To Blame for Griffith Turning Evil

screenrant.com:

One of the elements that makes Berserk's story so enduring is its exploration of the relationship between Guts and Griffth. Indeed, at its most basic level, the manga is the story of the two main characters. Initially, both fit the role of the anti-hero that nevertheless saves the day, but while Griffith already had the personality traits that would eventually lead him to the dark side, it was not a given that he'd turn. What beat down his «better angels» were the deliberate actions of Guts.

Early on, Griffith developed a life goal to one day establish a kingdom of his own. He was in the process of establishing the means to do this when he met Guts. Seeing in Guts a powerful soldier who would make reaching his goal easier, Griffith naturally did what he had to to keep him under his control. At first, the relationship was a purely master-servant dynamic, where Guts served at the pleasure of Griffith. However, a funny thing happened on the way to creating his kingdom: Griffith and Guts became friends. Indeed, Griffith said himself that Guts was the only person who made him forget his dream. It was in these delicate circumstances where Griffith might just have avoided his fate and become the true hero he always could have been… but for the actions of Guts.

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The first push Guts gave Griffith from the path of the light to the void of darkness occurs in Berserk, vol. 6 #12 when he overhears Griffith telling Princess Charlotte that he did not consider any member of the Band of the Falcon his friend until they become his equal. Naturally, Guts was hurt by the comment, as it went against what Griffith had intimated to him about their relationship. But rather than