Is Princess Zelda Ready to Be the Main Protagonist?

Throughout The Legend of Zelda series we are introduced to an expanse of incarnations of Link and Zelda that spans vastly across the different eras of Hyrule, and even across different timelines. In particular, one thing I have taken notice of in this narrative formula is that Link has always been Link, but Zelda’s identity has not always followed suit. Consider examples in Ocarina of Time’s Sheik and The Wind Waker’s Tetra. At first, it’s hard to reconcile that Zelda, Tetra, and Sheik are all, in a sense, the same character. Sheik’s foreboding and bard-like interactions with Link throughout Ocarina of Time hardly resemble the bold actions of the pirate captain Tetra who, at the onset of The Wind Waker, launches a barrel containing Link into the Forsaken Fortress. Yet, Sheik and Tetra both share in a sense of wisdom that has been used to characterize the Princess Zelda (and thus all of her identities) for some time now in the series.

Some examples of the aformentioned wisdom include Tetra cleverly slipping Link the Pirate’s Charm– so that she can communicate with and guide him– before launching Link into the fortress. Similarly, Sheik precedes each temple Link must conquer throughout Ocarina of Time, offering Link considerable foresight into how he must progress. In some form, I like to think that all incarnations of Princess Zelda bear this wisdom intentionally, as a means of tying the character into the series’ lore of the Triforce of Wisdom, which Zelda herself has possessed in both her appearance as Sheik and Tetra.

Princess Zelda’s position as Hyrule’s avatar of wisdom has not been ignored in games since. She likewise held the Triforce of Wisdom in Twilight Princess, while in Breath of the Wild, it is only after Zelda prays at the Spring of Wisdom that Calamity Ganon’s seal is broken. This is also typically where Princess Zelda then departs from the narrative. Her efforts are portrayed as wise and valiant, but are magic or mysterious in nature, much like her magic or telepathic abilities, or even her providing of the light arrows. It is a position in the series where Zelda, unlike many other ‘damsel-in-distress’, has been able to shine as a character. Though Princess Zelda’s character has been gratuitously well-received, it has only been as a support to Link in his quest to either save her or assist her in saving the kingdom.

That is all to say we may not have much precedence for Princess Zelda taking a stand in a playable role—or do we? I think when analyzing a character who has been developed over so many titles, it’s important to consider the narrative from as many perspectives as it can be presented from, and I think Nintendo has taken this approach too as they’ve carefully cultivated the Zelda series lore as the series has progressed, going so far as to produce an official timeline. With that in mind, I wonder if Princess Zelda truly is ready for a playable role after such an extensive, critically acclaimed series of appearances on the sidelines.

Later in the game The Wind Waker, the King of Hyrule, revealing to Tetra her true identity as Princess Zelda, used an interesting turn of words in proclaiming her to be “the last link in the bloodline”. I like to believe this choice of words was intentional. It seems at any point in time throughout Hyrule’s history, when the going gets tough, Link and Princess Zelda must take to the reigns. I think the King of Hyrule’s calling Zelda “the last link in the bloodline” is a favorable nod to Princess Zelda’s equal position as protagonist alongside Link. To illustrate just how unique their roles are, I think one must equally consider the true equal that is Zelda’s wisdom to Link’s courage as well as Link and Princess Zelda’s cycle of reincarnations.

As I said earlier “Link has always been Link”, but Princess Zelda has not always followed suit: Princess Zelda’s character has grown and been explored in very different ways from Link’s, and I think that this is because of the differences between them. Despite being equal protagonists, we have largely seen things from Link’s perspective. Would, hypothetically, having Zelda become a playable character allow us to explore Link’s character in new ways too?

What do you think? Would you like to see Princess Zelda in a playable role? Do you think it’s about time for Link to sit on the sidelines? Or does making Princess Zelda playable risk taking her out of her element as the avatar for wisdom, and Link that of courage? Share your thoughts in the comments below.