What does it mean to be courageous? It has been described in many different ways: standing up for those who cannot fight for themselves, confronting scary or dangerous situations, and battling against overwhelming odds. One of the more popular definitions of courage I’ve heard is “the quality to do what’s right, even when it’s not easy or when doing so results in cost to yourself”. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why Link is associated with the virtue. Every game in the series demonstrates that he’s willing to make innumerable sacrifices to help Hyrule — and, more specifically, to help Zelda. Bruised and battered, weary and worn, Link never gives up, even when faced with devious puzzles, diabolical traps, and devilish enemies.
I would argue that the Link we see in Skyward Sword has it even worse than most. I mean, if you only take into account the number of times he has to fight The Imprisoned, he is definitely a top contender for the Link most in need of a nap. Courage can be quite draining, and in this piece by the artist Truffe, the weary face of the Hero of the Sky is perfectly juxtaposed with the serene face of Farore, the Goddess of Courage.
The lower portion of the piece features the Skyloftian hero, standing with his hand across of his chest as if pledging his loyalty. The hilt of the Goddess Sword can be seen over his shoulder, and the Triforce of Courage glows brightly on his hand, reassuring us that he’ll stay true to his word. He’ll do whatever it takes to save his beloved Zelda. The most interesting thing about this depiction of Link is the incredibly somber expression on his face. Perhaps it’s meant to show his concern over Zelda’s welfare; after all, few Links share such a deep bond with the golden-haired maiden as he does. But to me, he just looks tired. A full day spent solving the mind-bending puzzles of the Sandship, ripping the limbs off Koloktos, and navigating the intensely stressful Silent Realm has left him in need of a long, long nap. Knowing Link’s determination, I’m not sure he would take the time to rest knowing that others are in danger. Thankfully, Link has friends in the Sacred Realm.
The second figure that dominates this work is the ethereal Farore. She floats behind Link, her appearance reminiscent of Farore the Oracle of Secrets from Oracles of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, and The Minish Cap. Her forehead bears her divine mark, and her face radiates warmth and serenity. Her hands rest on Link as if to tell him that she’s with him, that everything will be okay. In some ways, the placement of her hand on his shoulder reminds me of a prayer or benediction, as if Farore is laying her blessing on the harried hero. Adding to the sense of comfort and peace are the flowing strands of Farore’s hair. They surround Link, almost wrapping him in an embrace.
One more interesting element that our eyes are drawn to are the bright flowers in Farore’s hair. The popping pink color and the fact that the blossoms are open call to mind the lotus flower, which is a symbol of enlightenment. While our eyes linger on the delicate flowers, it’s also worth noting that her hair seems to resemble leaves and branches in some areas. It connects the green goddess with nature and the forest, which is interesting because Link is usually connected to the forest as well, whether it’s the Kokiri Forest or the woods of Ordon.
It’s not easy wearing the green tunic of the hero. It requires courage, sure, but it also involves a lot of sacrifice. You have to face horror after horror in the name of helping others. You do it gladly, but sometimes you feel like if you have to slash one more Bokoblin, you may just drop into a deep, deadly sleep. Truffe’s piece makes us think that maybe Link needs Farore in these moments, not just to remind him to stay strong, but to assure him that sometimes the most courageous thing to do is to rest. After all, a hero that can’t take care of himself will be of little use to others.
