Daily Debate: Is Ganondorf Redeemable?
Posted on July 13 2020 by David Lasby
As the infamous King of Evil and arch-nemesis of Link, Ganondorf has committed numerous atrocities in the Zelda series, including the attempted genocide of the Gorons and nearly driving the Zora to extinction. If you’re curious, check out a full list of the Gerudo King’s crimes here.
It’s nearly impossible to imagine someone so malicious having any possibility of redemption; but perhaps the character of Ganondorf is more complicated than he appears. As explained in Skyward Sword, Ganondorf is the reincarnation of the hatred of Demise, whose curse causes the conflict with the Hero and Goddess to play out endlessly. While it is true that an eternal essence of evil is reincarnated within him, it is also true that Ganondorf, the man, is a natural being who is himself a victim of the curse.
The teaser trailer for Breath of the Wild 2 reveals what appears to be the Gerudo King, bound and tortured beneath Hyrule Castle. In this video, theorists hypothesize that the Royal Family have used Sheikah technology and the body of Ganondorf to power their kingdom for years. If the theory is true, then the Sheikah discovered a means to harvest the energy-rich malice and separate the evil from the man. Perhaps this opens the door for saving his human side?
There is also the Era without a Hero. This is the era in Hyrule’s history in which no Hero is present to resist the evil incarnation. While the events of Ocarina of Time made this possible (specifically Link being sent back by Zelda to relive his childhood), it proves that the clash of the three beings is not iron-clad in its fate; variations can occur.
Does any of this mean a possibility of a redeemed Ganondorf, a man finally free of the curse? Even if he could escape its dark power, would he be able to remove himself from the crimes he committed while under its sway?
Tell us what you think! Do you believe it’s possible within the confines of Zelda lore for a redeemed Ganondorf? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured Image: salvamakoto
I’m a life-long fan of video games and have been playing since I got my NES in the 1980s. The Legend of Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Aliens, and Halo are some of my favorite game franchises. I write for several sites, including Zelda Dungeon, Boss Rush Network, and The Mighty. Find me on Twitter to check out my other content!
