Defending the Princess, Why Zelda?

Yup, and Link seemed to like her just the way she was. I'll always like WW Link for that.

Another interesting thing about tomboys that I've noticed...when they clean up, they tend to shock the guys quite well. I think that was exactly what happened in WW when she suddenly was in a dress, and part of it in OoT when she turned out to be so beautiful. ( The other part of his reaction was likely, "Sheik is Zelda!" )

Yeah.

Yeah. ^^It's happened to me before. There were some people playing outside, and I needed to go to play at another orchestra concert, so they saw me in the uniform dress and looked stunned. Their expressions... Yeah, when Link saw Tetra in a dress it was just like that. People say that Zelda's weak...did they ever think of the fact that she's a tomboy?

Yeah. ^^It's happened to me before. There were some people playing outside, and I needed to go to play at another orchestra concert, so they saw me in the uniform dress and looked stunned. Their expressions... Yeah, when Link saw Tetra in a dress it was just like that. People say that Zelda's weak...did they ever think of the fact that she's a tomboy?

No, don't think so, unless they analyze the Zelda series like we all do!

Yeah. ^^It's happened to me before. There were some people playing outside, and I needed to go to play at another orchestra concert, so they saw me in the uniform dress and looked stunned. Their expressions... Yeah, when Link saw Tetra in a dress it was just like that. People say that Zelda's weak...did they ever think of the fact that she's a tomboy?

Yeah, I definitely think that seeing her go from mean ol' sea rat to beautiful princess was indeed a shocker, even for a little boy of 10 years. A lot of people do think Zelda is weak... but, you have to remember that many of the Zeldas are physically weak. OoT!Adult Zelda, TWW/PH Zelda, and TP Zelda are the few physically strong ones, and I think a big reason for turning Zelda a little more macho is to eliminate the stereotype that she's helpless because she's a princess.

Yeah, good point. Most people don't think of "strong" as being strong in spirit, will, or mind. They think being physically strong as "strong". Just wondering, why did it have to be a stereotype that princesses are weak? It has to be the weak (in mind and body) princesses that set the stereotype?

I personally don't think that Link and Zelda should get married. Really, way back then, only royalty could marry royalty for one. For two, Zelda doesn't need to marry in order to become Queen so that she can govern the land of Hyrule (really, she's pretty much Queen in TP). If you think about it, just because you're married to someone doesn't mean that you're going to be together forever. There are a lot of marriages that end in divorce, simply because the couple take for granted that the other will always be there. I'm one more for common law, because the two people have to work at things harder in order to maintain the relationship. As a result, the relationship is stronger and often will outlive the years that people are together in marriage. Besides that, if they truly love each other (like many of us believe that they do), they will go against all odds and will love each other no matter what.

Anyway, again I believe that Link should be one of the head knights, being that it would involve what he already does best; defending his country.

Good words, TM! I agree. If they really loved each other, they wouldn't hide for so long. But, I suppose it's complicated. I'm not saying that Zelink is long gone now, but they made it complicated in TP, so I hope that the next game is better.


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I definately agree with that: when you call Zelda strong in debates people always are quick to remark on how she gets kidnapped, needs to be saved and is therefore weak.
But what's the difference between her and all the other girls? I don't see them being run down for needing Link's help. At least Zelda tries.

About the stereotype, I guess it's just LoZ comes from the standard fairy tale in essence. Heroic big knight climbs to the highest tower to rescue the Princess from the evil villian. ( Think them reading the tale out in Shrek ) The Princess is weak to make the Hero look good. I think they were smart about Zelda though...they gave her a different ( and equally powerful ) strength. Wisdom: when you look at WW Link for instance you see all brawn, few brains. Don't all the Link's fit that to an extent? They need guidance from someone, and it's usually Zelda.

I definately agree with that: when you call Zelda strong in debates people always are quick to remark on how she gets kidnapped, needs to be saved and is therefore weak.
But what's the difference between her and all the other girls? I don't see them being run down for needing Link's help. At least Zelda tries.

About the stereotype, I guess it's just LoZ comes from the standard fairy tale in essence. Heroic big knight climbs to the highest tower to rescue the Princess from the evil villian. ( Think them reading the tale out in Shrek ) The Princess is weak to make the Hero look good. I think they were smart about Zelda though...they gave her a different ( and equally powerful ) strength. Wisdom: when you look at WW Link for instance you see all brawn, few brains. Don't all the Link's fit that to an extent? They need guidance from someone, and it's usually Zelda.

Zelda's like the Wisdom Guru!

Another argument to defend from.

" Zelda is cold so Link is better of with Malon/Ilia/Marin/Saria, etc "

To a certain extent I think the games have catered to this misconception. I mean, LA used Zelda as a template to create a girl who was more affectionate, open and maybe less business, right?

I don't think it's remotely fair. She's just got so much on her plate that chasing after a man is probably frivolous in her mind...and what's someone else's style isn't hers. Have any of you ever doubted she wanted Link in OoT/MM or WW? or any other? It was just more subtle and much deeper. I know flattery appeals to many men's egos...but she won't appease it and that maybe makes her less desirable in some eyes.

I think her behavior is also because her love is so wide...for all her people rather than focused on one person. To an insecure man they may find that threatening, having to share her rather than being the centre of her attention. I think Link is better than that though.

Jumping off gliderpilotgirl's reply, I would like to state that while many royals of past and present have had an image of being cold and aloof, part of their image-creating was "getting down to the peasants." Royals knew that if they didn't have close contact (or the semblance of close contact) that their people would gradually lose sight of them, wonder why the country even had royals, and then possibly rebel (as was part of the reason of the French Revolution).

Part of Zelda's image is her royal friendliness. We can't expect her to do something that she was not taught. Part of Royal School isn't "Being Ingratiating 101." As a royal, she was expected to have an appropriate amount of reserve and politeness, and yet on the flip side in OoT, we see her laughing and grinning and begging Link to believe her prophesy - fairly UN-royal behavior.

If there is any distance or reserve in Zelda, it's for a very good reason. A good leader can't be "one of the boys" and still be able to do their job perfectly. Followers lose respect for a leader who is too close, yet being too distant shoots you in the foot too. ( as you mentioned with the French Revolution ) Being a leader means you have to make a lot of tough calls that will offend someone or another. Again, it's part of being impartial. It's a necessary distance.

With kid Zelda, she hasn't learned this yet: she's the Princess, not the Queen. But despite this, I think she has something special with Link. To say that she's a poor choice because she won't shower kisses and such on Link is nonsense. I think five good words from her would mean as much to him as a kiss from another girl.

If there is any distance or reserve in Zelda, it's for a very good reason. A good leader can't be "one of the boys" and still be able to do their job perfectly. Followers lose respect for a leader who is too close, yet being too distant shoots you in the foot too. ( as you mentioned with the French Revolution ) Being a leader means you have to make a lot of tough calls that will offend someone or another. Again, it's part of being impartial. It's a necessary distance.

With kid Zelda, she hasn't learned this yet: she's the Princess, not the Queen. But despite this, I think she has something special with Link. To say that she's a poor choice because she won't shower kisses and such on Link is nonsense. I think five good words from her would mean as much to him as a kiss from another girl.

So true. You have to have a balance if you need to lead the nation. Zelda might seem cold in TP, but 1.she isn't she's just being firm and 2. even if she was slightly cold, she's supposed to show strength as a leader so people can trust that she can rule the nation right. She actually shows warmth when you meet her if you relly know what warmth can be.

Ruling a nation is a huge responsibility and she was never asked about it, merely given the duty. I don't think she gets enough respect for it. People seem to trumpet how awesome Link is but he hasn't got it near as hard.
He can choose his own bride in the end without having to think about the entirety of Hyrule. If he wants, he can just leave. Zelda doesn't even get that choice.

The good news is the games themselves seem to recognize this: Tetra's crewman in WW even tells Link about how they respect her for taking on so much at such an age.

If there is any distance or reserve in Zelda, it's for a very good reason. A good leader can't be "one of the boys" and still be able to do their job perfectly. Followers lose respect for a leader who is too close, yet being too distant shoots you in the foot too. ( as you mentioned with the French Revolution ) Being a leader means you have to make a lot of tough calls that will offend someone or another. Again, it's part of being impartial. It's a necessary distance.

With kid Zelda, she hasn't learned this yet: she's the Princess, not the Queen. But despite this, I think she has something special with Link. To say that she's a poor choice because she won't shower kisses and such on Link is nonsense. I think five good words from her would mean as much to him as a kiss from another girl.

So true. You have to have a balance if you need to lead the nation. Zelda might seem cold in TP, but 1.she isn't she's just being firm and 2. even if she was slightly cold, she's supposed to show strength as a leader so people can trust that she can rule the nation right. She actually shows warmth when you meet her if you relly know what warmth can be.

What was so discouraging to me was that Zelda was not really given enough screentime so that we could see her more playful side, or her more funny side, or whatever. "Twilight Princess" should have been renamed "The Legend of Midna," more than "The Legend of Zelda."