Link and Zelda each go through transformations in The Wind Waker, both physically and personally. Link must leave his simple life of an islander behind to rescue his sister, and eventually become the hero and save Hyrule. Likewise, to fulfill her destiny as the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom, Zelda must emerge as Princess Zelda from her guise as the notorious pirate Tetra.
Although Link and Zelda’s responsibilities may change who they physically embody, deep down both of their identities are still one and the same. Their alternate selves are, as the artist of this beautiful artwork creatively depicts, two sides of the same sea, of its surface and its depths.
I absolutely love the way the artist warningyou has drawn Link and Zelda in this piece. It prompted a wave of thoughts in my mind about how intertwined Zelda and her alter ego Tetra truly are in the game, and how Link is more than just the destined hero.
It’s clear throughout the game that what was once a disguise to protect Zelda actually ends up becoming part of who she is. Deep down she is of course Princess Zelda, as represented by the submerged part of her appearance in this artwork — which is also undoubtedly a reference to her being revealed as Zelda in the flooded depths of Hyrule. But her surface appearance as Tetra is not just a costume she discards altogether once she’s no longer in danger as the princess. Even when she is Zelda, she has adopted Tetra’s mannerisms, her confident attitude, her leadership as a pirate, and her taste for adventure. It’s who she is and who she remains to be, even after Hyrule is saved.
Link’s duality is equally meaningful and beautifully depicted here. His Hero’s Clothes are visible underneath the ocean, which signifies who he is deep down and, as with Zelda, references the final step in him becoming the hero once he drew the Master Sword under the ocean. But what’s interesting is his shield and bow are seemingly discarded on the shallow ocean floor a few feet away. This, to me, means that although he is the hero, he will lay down that side of himself until it is needed again. His surface appearance in his islander attire is who he is beyond his role as the hero, and who he will choose to be. It’s who he is at heart.
Until the world needs who they both are deep down once again, Link opts to be the simple boy who probably never even dreamed he’d sail to every island in the world, and Zelda chooses to be Tetra, who is not confined by the duties or the expected elegance of a princess. They choose to be their carefree selves.
