Zelda vs Malon, Comparing the two

Well, I personally think that Zelda got into her share of mischief when she was little, seeming to be very curious and adventurous judging by her reactions to the spooky mask and the skull mask. Also, the fact that she doesn't distinguish between what is expected between genders is also an indication that she is more of a tomboy, which is one thing that Link is attracted to besides her playful and loving nature. Malon, on the other hand, seems more restrained; she's more like a typical girl that dreams that one day her knight in shining armour will sweep her off her feet. Zelda strikes me as someone who likes to defend herself, which is why she disguised herself as Sheik.

Although different in some ways, in a lot of ways Link and Zelda are very alike. Both share the same passion for adventure and they have the same morals, understanding, and compassion towards certain subjects. Their personalities fit one another perfectly, as such when two halves are put together to make a whole. I don't really see that with Malon.

To repeat somewhat of what I said earlier...that's the difference between Malon and Zelda when they are children, IMO. Zelda is more a friend than a love interest..I mean I believe in mutual attraction, especially from Link, but we are talking about a tomboy and a boy...they'd feel very comfortable just being with each other. I think that would overcome any awkwardness if Link liked her/she liked him. I imagine Link recounting his adventures to her rapt attention, what mattered to him would matter to her, and vice versa.

Malon's a girly-girl. I think that's what the "knight-in-shining armor" comment was meant to imply..she's also got a somewhat playful and loving manner, but it's flirty where Zelda's is sincere. That can actually cause a boy to feel nervous, and I don't think Malon could connect with him on a friends level enough to overcome it. At least she wasn't rude. Romani ( while different and more of a tomboy ) was flat out rude: "You're cute!" , talk about making a guy awkward. With Malon, I think it was childish love first, friendship later.

Now when they are adults: I loved that we actually got to see the people they'd grow into some day.

Because Zelda had such a strong friendship connection with him as well as likely a bit of romantic interest, it would have the depth needed to move to the next level: adult love. As a person who's speaking from experience, my husband is my best friend as well as my love....and I can totally see that with Link and Zelda: she knows him well enough to truly love him, and the same from him. "Young love turns to deep affection" indeed.

Malon on the other hand never developed that strong timeless friendship, and would be stuck with merely having childhood love. But childish love is weak, shallow and only a sliver of what we adults feel. And now Link is the knight she's wanted: but does she love that now or him who she really doesn't know?

Link and Zelda compliment each other, completely and totally. Malon on the other hand brings little to the table, I mean if he really loved her that wouldn't matter, but there's no indication he did. She's neither wise, nor insightful into Link's mind, nor many things Zelda has.

I love Malon, I really do. She's a sweet, beautiful character, but as it has been stated several times, she just... doesn't "compliment" Link. Yes, in some cases, opposites can attract, but do you know why? It's because that opposites who are attracted to each other have deep-rooted morals and ideals in common.

Malon and Link don't have deep-rooted morals in common, at least from what I can see. We know that he fits the archetype of the "reluctant hero" (much like Luke Skywalker) because of what behavior he shows in the beginning of OoT- the not wanting to get out of bed when the GDT summoned him. Still, he's the kind of person that will grin and bear it when it comes to getting things done. As his character grows, he becomes a young man that takes action and assumes responsibility on his own. Malon, on the other hand, seems to go in the opposite direction. As a young girl, we see that she's quite responsible... even a bit controlling or bossy. When she grew up, she still had that inner girlygirl, but instead of becoming more responsible, she seemed to have become somewhat submissive in character. After her own father was kicked out, she stayed behind and did whatever Ingo told her. Yes, it was responsible of her to want to take care of the horses and the ranch (it is, afterall, her source of income. She's basically a rancher-merchant), but it shows that she has problems determining the right course of action and what her priorities are. She SHOULD have been with her father.

Link understands that there are bigger things in life than himself. He leaves his best and only friend selflessly in order to do the right thing. He constantly makes self sacrifices in order to save everybody else. Zelda is the same in this light. While naive and making the biggest mistake by sending Link on a quest, the fact remains that she was doing her very best to save an entire world... she understands this at a young age before she is even responsible for her kingdom. She puts herself in danger to aid Link and save people (Like Ruto & Impa... [well, she went to Kakariko to save Impa, but kinda got pwned...]) by taking the form of her alter ego, Sheik. She, like Link, makes self sacrifices in order to save everybody else.

Had OoT's Link been link TP's Link, then Malon and Link would have made a more suitable coupling. However, the two Links are very different in character, and OoT!Link is better suited for OoT!Zelda.

The thought that comes to mind when I read that paragraph is:

With time, Malon became more dependant, while Zelda becomes more independant.
So, backwards growth vs forward. Malon needs Link's courage more as an adult where Zelda also needs it, but Zelda has developed her own to match it, and even augment his.

More with that paragraph, hearing you refer to Malon as submissive as an adult: one poster on ZU recently aired the opinion that Malon would allow Link to "wear the pants" in the family more. Zelda on the other hand would not allow him to be in control, but would by virtue of her position ( and leader's heart ) go beyond him.

But is that a bad thing? I would think in a world of people who are dependant on him and are "beneath" ( in a manner ) and submissive to the Hero, that someone to take the initiative and stand beside him would be appealing. The same from Zelda's perspective: she needs an equal, not a submissive partner to leave her on her own. So in either way...together they don't have to be alone, not in the heart where it counts.

With Malon...he's on his own when he may need the help most. Different goals, and with so many depending on him I can see having her cling to him dependant not suiting him well at all.

I fully agree however in that I can see how TP Link and Malon would have worked quite well..different Link's.

I agree with the fact that it would be equal between Link and Zelda when it comes to control over certain things, which is something else that makes their relationship unique; they are like two equal halves that make a whole. They are compatable with one another and are able to support the other when the one cannot. And if you ask me, I like it that way; I hate the thought of a patriarchal society simply because men should not be the ones that have the control. Now, I'm not saying that it's right for women to have the control over men, which sometimes they do, but I am saying that it's better when two people are able to stand together like gliderpilotgirl mentioned in the previous post. Malon is more dependant on others, otherwise she would've been able to at least escape from the ranch to aquire help instead of leaving the situation with the ranch to chance. Zelda is obviously the more independant of the two, which is also why she disguises herself as Sheik so that she can defend herself when the need arrises.

It's amazing how one awesome article can make the thought juices flow, once again I have to give credit to Hylian Dan's "Message of MM" article, because he nailed down something huge that led me to this thought train.

I know I mentionned this before, but I think we've got another huge difference between Malon and Zelda...and maybe the dividing line between Malon and Marin too. I just hope I'm not repeating anything, rather deepening it.

Faith. Hylian Dan's article heavily focused on MM and the message of having faith. I think Zelda represents faith where Malon is disbelief.

Zelda is all about having faith, I could go through each incarnation, but I'll tackle OoT/MM because she's the one facing off against Malon. From the very beginning where Zelda looks into your eyes with those huge blue ones and invites you to let her believe in you...she's all about faith. If you return to her anytime until she flees, she remarks: "But you already knew that, didn't you?"
When she flees, she once again sends the Ocarina to you with all her faith and it's not hard to tell she believes it will be alright regardless of her presence.

When they reunite as adults, she's there supporting him as Sheik and later herself...
Despite his absence, she's never given up faith in him or in life: now it's been fulfilled. I remember in the temple as she clasps her hands and looks at him: "And now you are back! The evil time will end!". She has unconditional faith in him. After her faith has borne fruit and Ganondorf is gone, she knows Link must leave, but she has faith and sends him back: she knows it will be okay.

We get another glimpse of her in MM sending him off, and it almost struck me more strongly than all of OoT. Why? Because Link was essentially doing the same thing to her that Navi did to him ( abandoning her, leaving without real explanation or reason given ) and she still didn't lose faith in him. She honestly believed he would return and once again, that things would turn out alright. I don't see her getting angry either even though he was essentially "failing her" in leaving, and I truly believe he went back in the end. Okay, now to Malon.

I see Malon as representing a lack of faith, in Link and life. As a child in OoT she feels the need to reward him for a simple kindness in finding her father, perhaps in a subconcious attempt to ensure he will follow through. He does, and our next real glimpse of her in hardship is as an adult. If you enter Lon Lon in daylight, she's standing in the stables, looking at the bucket in her hands woefully. The impression I took away was she felt hopeless, and that her situation was hopeless. She didn't have faith in Link or anyone because she had given up. When Link restored Lon Lon she was undoubtably joyous, but only at that point does her spirit seem to return.

Part of the problem with Malon in OoT is she was poorly developed: so although they are different I'll consider Cremia and Romani, because their motivations and attitudes are the same.

I can't forget the picture of Romani with her face in her hands shaking her head as if in torment: " What shall I do?" was all over her. When Link steps in she seems to gain some faith, but once again offers him a reward ( Epona ) to possibly ensure he follows through. When the time comes, she will lock herself in the barn in fear and effectively leave Link alone to face the baddies. Afterwards if you visit her she's triumphant, but still doubts herself.

At this point she makes the invitation to Link to come live with them, and decides herself that he's their bodyguard from now on. What I see in this is Romani almost taking the step of faith and believing she can do it herself, but hesitating. Link's the easy solution.
However, in the end we see Romani take out three balloons with her bow and turn around and smile at the camera, with Cremia applauding in the background. I took it to mean that finally now she's have some faith and belief, all because of Link's deeds.

Cremia: She struck me as quite similar to the adult Malon of OoT in attitude, and she's also lost faith badly.
At one point she evens says this:

This seems to be her general attitude. When you take the wagon ride with her, she spells it all out more personally, effectively saying: "the ranch is going downhill, my sister is crazy and I'm alone because Kafei is marrying Anju". Trying to extract from that I see: "I'm failing","I don't believe in my sister"and "I don't have a partner to rely on".
When furthur trouble comes, Cremia also offers the promise of a reward to Link to ensure he performs rather than merely helping her.
At the end, Cremia will recognize his maturity or either give him a hug or money. I can't help but feel she is only now feeling faith, and doing for Link what she should have done for Romani all along. Believed in her. In the end, I think that's what their last scene represents.

I know this is hugely long post, but I wanted to brainstorm on this. Romantically in the end? I feel Malon is fundamentally a victim to a Hero...she gains because of his deeds. Zelda is Link's equal: requiring aid but having her own faith all along. Because of that, I feel she is the only one fit to be his life partner.

Malon being the victim needing the Hero is EXACTLY why I choose Malon over Zelda. And I agree that with the triforces Link and Zelda are equals. Therefore Zelda doesn't need Link as much as Malon does. The moral support that Zelda needs from Link can be provided on weekly visits during the more important royal meetings. Zelda doesn't need Link coddling her as much as Link needs to coddle Malon. Zelda is very self reliant IMO.

What I find interesting is many peg Zelda as a typical DID (Damsel in Distress) but support Malon who's just as much of one herself, if not more.

As for this "Malon needs Link's strength more than Zelda", that's very narrow and one sided, thinking of things only from Malon's perspective and about what Link could provide as a helper and protector around the ranch. What about Link? What does he get from Malon out of the relationship, or does that not matter?

In contrast, in a relationship with Link, Zelda gets a companion and partner who understands her situation and can support her. And on the flip side, Link gets someone who understands him, can offer comfort and wisdom, along with support. They're a team and always have been.

IMO Link would probably be happy living a simple humble life at the ranch. Give me one reason that Link can be more useful in doing living at the Castle besides being trophy pet on display at the Hyrule Court, and being comforted by Zelda like a itty bitty baby??

As I've already stated, knock it off or get out of here. I'm serious- you have no right to come here and insult both Link and Zelda- and yes, you have. You continually provoke us, and I'm tired of it, as I know several others here are. The only character you've had any good to say about is Malon. If you can't behave yourself, then you need to leave, or you'll be made to.

Alantie: You made an interesting point earlier when you posed the question: "What does Link get from Malon out of the relationship?"

In all honesty, the only thing I can imagine Malon giving Link that Zelda hasn't already is a life of simplicity. But then again, he could have that by just outright rejecting his calling altogether. His life was simple before he became a hero...she's not giving him anything he wouldn't already have if he chose that path.
I don't think he would though...he was meant for more.

I've seen the argument that Malon could provide him with stability, but I fail to see how Zelda couldn't. She'll always be in the castle there when he returns. Her life is not ordinary but she's still an ordinary woman underneath: one who desires love just as much.

Comparing the two again, I get the distinct feeling ( related to my last argument ) that Malon is rather worldly...her concern is wordly things, family, marriage, etc. Zelda on the other hand is not so much. Hyrule, the Triforce, etc...these are her focus, not herself. I think Link will end up with similar interests to Zelda rather than Malon.

People argue the simplicity thing, but really, the whole point of the game is that Link who comes from a simple background rises to do great things far beyond that simple humble background. It's always going to be a part of him, but I agree, he's meant for more. To go back to that after all he's done- it's such a step backwards, and defeats the purpose of the game.

I don't understand that either. It's not like Zelda's going to up and run off- she's as stable as Malon is. She's always going to be in Hyrule, she's always going to be the ruler. She's always going to be there when Link needs her. And I agree; just because Zelda is royalty doesn't mean she isn't still a woman who wants the same things that a commoner like Malon does. She wants love and comfort just as much, regardless of her position and power.

I agree, I felt the same way. Malon's concerns center around her own small bubble and not much beyond. Zelda always focuses on things outside herself, and she suffered as much as Malon did with having her whole world fall apart around her. Malon always seemed very concerned with herself and worldly things instead of the bigger picture.

People argue the simplicity thing, but really, the whole point of the game is that Link who comes from a simple background rises to do great things far beyond that simple humble background. It's always going to be a part of him, but I agree, he's meant for more. To go back to that after all he's done- it's such a step backwards, and defeats the purpose of the game.

You know, this whole simplicity discussion reminds me of Hercules. In one of the Greek myths, Hercules was visited by two women. One was named Virtue, the other was named Pleasure. Virtue offered Hercules a life of heroism, even though his life would be hard and discouraging, and Pleasure offered him a life of simple comfort. Well, since Hercules is a hero by nature, he chose a life of virtue.

What does Greek mythology have to do with Zelda? Well, I agree with gliderpilotgirl and Alantie that Link would choose the life of a hero. Heck, battling monsters and saving Hyrule is in his blood; why is Link supposed to care if the cows are acting up if there's a power-hungry maniac on the loose?

You know, I think she needs it more. Malon can marry any man she wants really, she has the freedom to make these choices with her heart...she can pretty much do whatever she wants. Zelda on the other hand is isolated by her position yet burdened with massive responsibility..everyone else will always come first. If anyone needs a loving shoulder of Link's caliber to lean on - it's her.

I think Zelda suffered vastly more. She lost her father, her home, her kingdom ( this would be the worst for her ), her very identity and even Link for seven years. She had no idea when or if he would return and worse, she felt responsible for all that happened.
I can't help but think Talon's laziness partially contributed to him losing the ranch...Ingo had reason to be bitter. Malon lost control of her home...but her father was alive, she was still with the horses and was able to be herself ( the singing ) if only at night.

Agreed. Both Zelda and Malon suffered in varying degrees, but Zelda's suffering is deep compared to Malon's. Like you said, Zelda lost her father, home, kingdom, identity (are we going by the manga for the identity part? Because in the game, Zelda merely disguised herself as Sheik, so she still would have memories of being a princess, right?), and even Link for all of the seven years he was sealed. Malon lost control of her home and her father was kicked out for a time, but unlike Zelda, Malon could get back those things she cared about. Zelda's father was dead (I'm assuming), he couldn't come back no matter how much Zelda would have wanted him to, and Talon was still alive. And Link was able to restore peace to the ranch, so Malon got that back too. But in Zelda's mind (most likely due to her guilty conscience), there were some things she cared about that she wouldn't be able to get back. Maybe that was another reason for Zelda sending Link back to his childhood?

Does that make any sense? I feel like I'm rambling.