Zelda: Themes in Motion

Zelda Informer has just begun a series of articles discussing themes from the Zelda series. The articles will be posted every other Tuesday on Zelda Informer. The first article from the series discusses the similarities of the Zelda games and traditional epics. Epic tales include the ever popular Beowulf, Gilgamesh and Odysseus, and this article argues that the Zelda games follow a similar formula. Aside from listing the similarities, the author uses examples from game manuals, in game plot events and matches up Link’s characteristics with that of some famous heros from old epic stories.

The author makes many connections between the Zelda games, and the stories of old, but he goes into more depth in discussing Link’s weapon of choice: The Master Sword.

Another element that’s quite common in epic literature – but not so common to be considered one of its central traits – is magical weaponry. Beowulf, King Arthur, and many of the heroes of Celtic, Norse, and Eastern mythology all wielded swords gifted with power, and Link is no exception. In Link’s case, the Master Sword is another representation of the power of human virtues, as when a hero wields it it can smite evil. Most epic swords have long extended backstories behind them, perhaps the most famous being the Arthurian swords – one of which was to mark Arthur’s kingship by his ability to withdraw it from the stone (another motif reused in Zelda), and another which is given to him by a spiritual figure (Skyward Sword?). It’ll be interesting to see how the story of the Master Sword is handled in the upcoming Wii prequel.

The comparison to Kind Arthur is one most people may not have noticed. The similarities are uncanny. There’s no doubt in my mind that this story was largely influential to the game designers. I’m curious to see how the designers of Skyward Sword will handle this new event because most epics don’t involve origin stories. Can you guys come up with your own connections to other stories? How do you think Skyward Sword will handle the creation of a magical weapon? Let us know in the comments and be sure the check out the next article in the series.