Daily Debate: Should Link be Reincarnated as a Noble?
Posted on November 25 2017 by Michaela El-Ters
Skyward Sword greatly expanded on the lore and mythos in the Zelda series, introducing an origin story that would ultimately lead to a never-ending conflict. In all of the games prior to Skyward Sword, Link was often introduced as a low ranking member of society, including a rancher, island dweller, and “the boy without a fairy,” reinforcing this notion that all of Link’s journeys start with humble beginnings that require him to accept his role as the fated hero. Breath of the Wild took an interesting approach to characterizing Link in a new light by designating him as a member of a long line of knights who serve the Royal Family. While the impact Link’s lineage had on him was explored during his a memory with Zelda, I think future Zelda games could expand on these themes and roles even further by taking advantage of the reincarnation concept itself. When Demise placed his curse on Link and Zelda, there was no specification on the roles in which they needed to play in each lifetime.
“Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero…They are eternally bound to this curse.” – Demise
The focus is on their connection to these bloodlines rather than specific roles, and with this in mind, I think it would be interesting for future Zelda games to play with giving Link new titles, including being a member of the nobility. The Zelda games haven’t really explored class divides between the poor and the wealthy, and having Link be raised as a humble member of noble society could be a compelling way to explore this power gap from a unique lens. In addition, this could provide Link with an interesting back story, instilling his desire to help others with his power and ultimately ascend as the hero Hyrule needs him to be. What do you think? What roles do you think Link should have in future reincarnations? Let us know in the comments!
Michaela El-Ters is an Original Content Editor at Zelda Informer. For more of her video game opinions, check out her blog.
Feature art by animetayl
Michaela El-Ters is a Senior Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She is also an Senior Writer for Boss Rush Network, and writes blogs and streams games on Objection Network. Her favorite Zelda game changes with the seasons, but the series as a whole is near and dear to her heart.
