I spend a lot of time thinking about Princess Zelda, along with The Legend of Zelda as a whole. If you visit our website and read our articles, maybe you do too.
In most of the games, we view the barest glimpses of her personality. We know her general story and what drives her, but we usually only learn information that pertains to her roles as Princess of Hyrule and the reincarnation of the goddess Hylia. As a young woman, we hardly know what she’s like behind closed doors.
More recent games, however, have allowed us to see her a little more clearly, and the first time we see her as a fully developed character is in Skyward Sword. She begins as Link’s best friend, and she continues to hold on to who she truly is as the game progresses, even though powers on both sides are trying to change her. She’s “still your Zelda”, no matter what.
But this unfolds gradually throughout the game. What is established is that she’s Link’s best friend, the object of Groose’s desires, and the daughter of the headmaster. She’s established in connection to the men around her, but we don’t start out knowing who she is as a person. Symbolically, this is represented by Zelda’s Room, which was previously explored by one of our other writers. We come to her room unable to access it, totally locked out and wondering what lies within.
In other games, we’ve seen Zelda’s daily life through glimpses in cutscenes, almost peeking through a window into her life. But in Skyward Sword, we have a unique opportunity to know Zelda as a friend. And we can get to know her better as a character by observing her personal space.
It took me a long time to figure out the secret to opening Zelda’s bedroom door. It’s an exciting sidequest, because we know that there must be a way to get in there, to learn about a character that’s been so elusive for so many years. And it’s even more intriguing considering that this is the earliest incarnation of Princess Zelda that we currently know of. She is the legend, a tale told and passed down through stone tablets and songs. One we can finally know.
Well, only if we can open the door.
It’s just another door in a hallway, made from ordinary wood and sealed with an ordinary lock. What sets it apart is the possibility. Do you remember how it felt to stand outside it, wondering what lies beyond? Would it just be a chest with a Red Rupee or a Piece of Heart? Would there be a diary? Would she have trinkets and plants?
For me, Zelda’s bedroom door represents the first time the series has truly humanized the princess. It’s funny that that’s such a revelation after so many games, but it actually was for me. As much as I enjoyed what I found beyond the door, the potential is what I remember the most. My Zelda can be anything she wants to be, so the sky’s the limit to what could be waiting behind that door.
