The Legend of Zelda: Ganon, the Triforce of Power & the Embodiment of Weakness
Now to our second major Zelda article
The previous Zelda essay was about the Triforce of ‘Valour’ as I put it, now it is time to examine Ganon’s source of strength; that of the Triforce of Power. What is so interesting is how the Power of Din was utilized in the history of Hyrule before Ganon showed up. Originally, Din used her might to breath life into the land of Hyrule, and is often associated with her sisters, and in some depictions is little more than a trickster and a fun-loving lady.
Din is not inherently evil. Power may honestly be evil, but might is not. When I say that I am going by the logic of those who crave power, and all that pertains to that particular idiom. Whereas where the division from might and power takes place is that in traditional stories might could be used for righteousness, while power was always how the wicked defined seeking such things.
This is not to say that ‘might makes right’ but that ‘might could be used for right’, while power is something that tends to corrupt and that weak men tend to crave that they might dominate others and cure themselves of the malady of weakness. Truth is that once they have it, they swiftly discover that it is no cure, to the contrary; it is simply an affirmation of their inner flaws and of their inherently weak and foolish nature.
Power cannot shield, nor can it hide what one is. Only weak men crave it, while strong men crave strength to protect what they love.
Nowhere is this better shown than in the Legend of Zelda. Now, when used by Link I would argue one should perhaps term it the Triforce of Strength, rather than Power. But under Ganon’s watch it is the Triforce of Power. Strength and might are interwoven together, as the two words are fairly well connected to one another.
Might is something that can be utilized both for good and for evil, and should be thought of in ambiguous terms, and as something that does not make right. Strength though is a pure positive and does make right, and is the positive version of ‘Might’, it is for this reason that this third piece of the Triforce should be looked at in such a light.
The reason is because it can go either way, with one of the most fascinating things that Nintendo & Koei did with Hyrule Warriors being giving it to Cia. The reason this was interesting was because once the possession or influence of Ganon wore off, and she was revived and restored to good, the Triforce is taken from Ganon and taken up by her.
What this does is unify the Triforce once more, and also makes her the second character to wield it. It is a truly intriguing idea that could have marked a change of direction in the plot, in the second HW game (of course Nintendo had not the courage to investigate the idea and try exploring the characters some more, preferring to have another Breath of the Wild game, which might have to be fair made good business sense).
Ganon to return to him, crave power his whole life while Cia craved love. When she decided to seek out power she became weak and cruel, but then when she redeemed herself and sought love once more she was to become a purer and better version of herself, in contrast to Ganon who is cast away in that game.
In many of the OG games of Zelda Ganon appears as a pig, having been deformed by his quest for power. This is pretty accurate to what such things do to people, and it makes sense on a thematic level.
Ganon even in his human form isn’t exactly a looker, as he is dark yet pale at once, and there is a sickly hue to his flesh and sometimes he appears as though he has not slept. This is purposeful and fairly accurate to what power does to people; it hollows them out, doubtless Ganon has not slept well since he first began to crave it. In turn, if one were to compare him to Cia as she appears when she has claimed the Triforce and is purified; she is sublime, youthful and beautiful and has a sincere smile on her lips in most images.
Or one could compare him to Zelda and Link, both of whom are young, vibrant and healthy. Even Midna in her true form appears this way, with Midna being another antithesis of sorts to Ganon, one who requires something of a redemption arc of sorts throughout Twilight Princess and whom is really the heart of the story. As she goes from a callous angry young woman, and transforms into a loyal and worthy princess.
The quest that Link undertakes is not one for power, it is one for Strength. Strength to overcome hardship, to do what is right and to save the Princess Zelda.
This is what separates him from Ganon. Ganon seeks power, and Link seeks Strength. Only weak men under this paradigm seek power, while strong men seek strength, might enough to shield their loved ones and seek to guide those around them to a ‘better tomorrow’.
This is the main reason Ganon cannot win, this is why he always looks sickly, and despises Link. He has grown iller mentally and physically with every year in all three timelines, while Link always appears before him youthful and vibrant, and strong.
Fool! You dare insult the mighty Ganon! BEHOLD! TRUE POWER!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LHjFuwIiIlg
Just kidding with you, really enjoyed the article.
Your definitions of strength vs. might hit the bullseye.