Twilight Princess Symbolism! (Fear and Discrimination)

[Overusedname]

I've been rambling about Zelda on this site for about 3 years. 3 years well spent. Let's keep doing it with the latest and most longwinded of rambles yet, Twilight Princess! This is Part 1 of a 3 part series, so I hope you stay tuned for more.


If you're new, consider following the show by subscribing or following me on social media for updates. And as always any feedback, any criticism and sharing is appreciated. Check the link below for the channel and facebook page. Love you. Bye.

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSwIxTBkr6lL79B8VA9KlvQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmceeProphIt

 

[The_Darkness]

HOORAY! We made it to Twilight Princess!

(Liked and subbed, since I finally have a Youtube account.)

So, immediate thoughts:

I am LOVING the Midna-love here. She's one of my favourites too... though I have to say, I saw more of a romance with Ilia in Twilight Princess myself. Midna instead felt like a really strong friendship. But that's just me.

WaitWaitWaitWait. Dark Souls music? Mass Effect music?! Why must you confuse my musical perceptions by playing non-Zelda music to Zelda imagery?!? (Though Dark Souls and Mass Effect are also faves of mine, so - you have good taste, good sir!)

And... You're playing and recording from the Wii-version, aren't you? That's going to confuse me a bit, since everything's back to front and Link is suddenly right-handed, when I own this on the GameCube... Eh, a bit of confusion never hurt anyone.

Spoiler: And finally:

Twilight Princess is about discrimination? I have played it so many times and wouldn't have made that call... but now that you say it, it's suddenly so obvious. Huh. Well noted. *Tilts head respectfully*

***

More detailed thoughts to come when I have more time.

 

[Wuvlycuddles]

Goddamnnit, evil dog telepathic powers made me sub.... and also get biscuits for my dog. EVIL.

Interesting stuff so far, especially since I was unable to finish the game (brother + disc = sadface).

 

[Lunar Templar]

YAY!!!

Your back

Good >.> I was starting to wonder again >.>

 

[Broderick]

It's here! Holy bageeezus man! I followed you since you posted your LOZ:OOT symbolism video, I have ate up your content ever since. I know you can be quite busy, so I understand that these can take a while to make. Hope to see more in the future! Thanks for making them!

 

[Overusedname]

HOORAY! We made it to Twilight Princess!

(Liked and subbed, since I finally have a Youtube account.)

So, immediate thoughts:

I am LOVING the Midna-love here. She's one of my favourites too... though I have to say, I saw more of a romance with Ilia in Twilight Princess myself. Midna instead felt like a really strong friendship. But that's just me.

WaitWaitWaitWait. Dark Souls music? Mass Effect music?! Why must you confuse my musical perceptions by playing non-Zelda music to Zelda imagery?!? (Though Dark Souls and Mass Effect are also faves of mine, so - you have good taste, good sir!)

And... You're playing and recording from the Wii-version, aren't you? That's going to confuse me a bit, since everything's back to front and Link is suddenly right-handed, when I own this on the GameCube... Eh, a bit of confusion never hurt anyone.

Spoiler: And finally:

Twilight Princess is about discrimination? I have played it so many times and wouldn't have made that call... but now that you say it, it's suddenly so obvious. Huh. Well noted. *Tilts head respectfully*

***

More detailed thoughts to come when I have more time.

Thanks yo, Hope you look forward to the next part!

It's here! Holy bageeezus man! I followed you since you posted your LOZ:OOT symbolism video, I have ate up your content ever since. I know you can be quite busy, so I understand that these can take a while to make. Hope to see more in the future! Thanks for making them!

Glad I was able to hold your attention for 3 years, that's actually pretty cool. I still talk to some of that initial batch of like 200 people from the escapist sometimes. I was just watching the ocarina videos for the first time in a while, and while I cringe at some of the jokes, it's kinda nostalgic. I've been doing this for quite a while now, haha.

Thanks for watching dude.

 

[False Nobility]

OH MY GOD ITS HERE. I had no idea cause I've been off facebook and youtube for like week. Good surprise.

*watches immediately*

I agree with your point on TP being so good it doesn't really matter to much that it's less innovative. I kinda see what you mean now, I used to be more bothered by it, but for the moment I can't really even think of a good reason it's really a 'problem' anymore. I'd love to hear a thorough 'normal' review from you at some point.

I like how you've contextualized the whole franchise into covering consistent ideas about growing up. maybe that's whats so cool about Twilight Princess to me, it's story is very adult centric. It might have my fav story, tied with Majora, but I prefer Majora and Windwaker's gameplay. I still find TP to be a little predictable, but that's my opinion.

Also, random, but the wolf thing was really interesting. It reminds of waaaaaay back in the day with ocarina analysis, when you talked about the cultural symbolism of swords and what they represent. I'm sure you get told your funny all the time, but I personally think you're a good educator to. Keep it up! glad you upload more often now. As a side note, we talked about audio a month ago on the opoona review, and just wanted to say your audio sounds nice and clear this time. Don't know what you did, but keep doing it.

 

[VincentX3]

Been watching your vid's since day 1 mate, it's great to have you back again. (For like the 3rd time now(?)]
Jokes aside, hope to have more from you in the future

 

[SomethingWorse]

I'm feeling really sick and this brightened my day. Been looking forward to this series for a while! Good job so far, keep it up.

 

[Poetic Nova]

Consider me curious, will watch it for sure.

 

[Overusedname]

OH MY GOD ITS HERE. I had no idea cause I've been off facebook and youtube for like week. Good surprise.

*watches immediately*

I agree with your point on TP being so good it doesn't really matter to much that it's less innovative. I kinda see what you mean now, I used to be more bothered by it, but for the moment I can't really even think of a good reason it's really a 'problem' anymore. I'd love to hear a thorough 'normal' review from you at some point.

I like how you've contextualized the whole franchise into covering consistent ideas about growing up. maybe that's whats so cool about Twilight Princess to me, it's story is very adult centric. It might have my fav story, tied with Majora, but I prefer Majora and Windwaker's gameplay. I still find TP to be a little predictable, but that's my opinion.

Also, random, but the wolf thing was really interesting. It reminds of waaaaaay back in the day with ocarina analysis, when you talked about the cultural symbolism of swords and what they represent. I'm sure you get told your funny all the time, but I personally think you're a good educator to. Keep it up! glad you upload more often now. As a side note, we talked about audio a month ago on the opoona review, and just wanted to say your audio sounds nice and clear this time. Don't know what you did, but keep doing it.

Thanks man. I actually didn't use audacity, but I used the surprisingly decent equalizer built into iMovie. There's only one channel I need to adjust to make it sound this clear.

At the end of the day, I just need a real boom mic. And to stop recording in echoey rooms, but both of those aren't quite possible just yet. For now, I'm glad it sounds better. The mic situation might be improved soon, first stretch goal and what not. And yeah, I always love discussing TP with people. A lot of viewers have been chatting it up with me about their hatred/love of it for the last few days. I never personally found it predictable myself. My favorite part of the game was how varied it was. I feel that as a narrative TP just completely enthralled me. Whatever minor gripes I have with it are dwarfed by it's pacing and the variety of challenges.

Been watching your vid's since day 1 mate, it's great to have you back again. (For like the 3rd time now(?)]
Jokes aside, hope to have more from you in the future

Ha, I've actually FINALLY been getting better at uploading more consistently, but my last review wasn't very popular and flew under people's radar. It was an obscure game, so I kinda understand if people missed it.

It's crazy that people have been watching that long, thanks dude!

 

[False Nobility]

Thanks man. I actually didn't use audacity, but I used the surprisingly decent equalizer built into iMovie. There's only one channel I need to adjust to make it sound this clear.

At the end of the day, I just need a real boom mic. And to stop recording in echoey rooms, but both of those aren't quite possible just yet. For now, I'm glad it sounds better. The mic situation might be improved soon, first stretch goal and what not. And yeah, I always love discussing TP with people. A lot of viewers have been chatting it up with me about their hatred/love of it for the last few days. I never personally found it predictable myself. My favorite part of the game was how varied it was. I feel that as a narrative TP just completely enthralled me. Whatever minor gripes I have with it are dwarfed by it's pacing and the variety of challenges.

Didn't know iMovie had such a feature, cool.

Pertaining to your feelings on TP, I always thought it was good, but Majora's detail won me over more. I can't think of another game that had such an elaborate schedule system. Everyone was more than met the eye. Camping out to wait for the bomb mask thief, or stalking him to find the bandit's hideout, everything about the Couple's mask quest, etc. Plus just how immediately open it was. I remember being blown away by how much you could do as soon as you get out of clock town first time. no other game has ever captured that kind of magic for me. Majora still had me just as enthralled in it's main story to. That's just why I love it more, the detail of all the little events and side quests. Termina just had a rad world.

 

[Overusedname]

***

More detailed thoughts to come when I have more time.

I still expect those detailed thoughts on my desk young man.

Didn't know iMovie had such a feature, cool.

Pertaining to your feelings on TP, I always thought it was good, but Majora's detail won me over more. I can't think of another game that had such an elaborate schedule system. Everyone was more than met the eye. Camping out to wait for the bomb mask thief, or stalking him to find the bandit's hideout, everything about the Couple's mask quest, etc. Plus just how immediately open it was. I remember being blown away by how much you could do as soon as you get out of clock town first time. no other game has ever captured that kind of magic for me. Majora still had me just as enthralled in it's main story to. That's just why I love it more, the detail of all the little events and side quests. Termina just had a rad world.

Yeah, I've had to defend TP quite a few times in the last few days, haha. But I understand that, you just described my favorite part of Majora to me too. But TP has such an intense, deliberate atmosphere that I ultimately found it's world more interesting, Twilight or Light. It can be so creepy, so peaceful, often at the same time. While side quest characters aren't nearly as complex I felt like the plot made up for it.

 

[The_Darkness]

***

More detailed thoughts to come when I have more time.

I still expect those detailed thoughts on my desk young man.

Hey, I was away for the weekend! But then, I suppose I am back now

*Re-watches video*

Okay, so more detailed thoughts:

Oh my £$^"%, YOU HAVE THE SAME FOLDING DOORS AS ME.

...

...

Moving on...

I agree with you on how the villagers' actions drive home the point that discrimination comes from a place of fear. They don't even give wolf-Link a chance, attacking or fleeing on sight. (Interesting how the animals of the village are a heck of a lot more accomodating.) Yet, at the same time, we know that these villagers are good people - from having spent the previous day with them. I guess that serves as a reminder that even people who are acting nasty don't necessarily see themselves as the bad-guy (well, unless their name is Ganon...)

By the way, you had excellent delivery giving the line of "So the story does a very good job establishing just how tight nit and loving the community is... before it promptly ransacks the town and abducts all the children."

So, Midna is probably my favourite 'assist' character throughout the Zelda games... Her character arc, from distrusting, demeaning and using Link, through to a begrudging respect, then being saved by Zelda and Link and ultimately becoming fast-friends... Yeah.
I'm REALLY looking forward to what you make of a certain final credits scene, since in my view, it rather damages the lesson of the rest of the game - the lesson of learning to work together despite differences.

I've very little knowledge of Japanese perceptions of Wolves, but you didn't mention Western view doesn't always paint them as the villain. I mean, Roman mythology does have Romulas and Remus being raised by wolves. Though yeah, we do paint them as the villain fairly often. Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, after all? Belief in werewolves is also European in origin... Though didn't Odin have some wolf pets that were believed to be good? (I'll admit my own bias here - I've always liked the mythological feel that wolves have!)

There's also an interesting parallel in having the bearer of the Triforce of Courage transform into a wolf. A lone wolf is one that has left its pack, having either been forced out or having left voluntarily - something that Link is forced (through circumstance) to do in the opening section of the game. Surviving alone, for a wolf, requires strength of character and courage, something that Link goes on to demonstrate. So, yeah - Link is a lone wolf.

Any thoughts on the theory that the Forbidden Shadows have some connection to Majora's Mask? They do have a very similar visual style, both items can transform their wearer into powerful be-tentacled creatures, and Majora's origins are somewhat vague. Then again, Termina was something of a Mirror World to Hyrule - Majora may simply be Termina's 'reflection' of the Forbidden Shadows.

And lastly, since I mentioned Dark Souls in my previous post:
Have you noticed how both game series involve silent protagonists in medieval fantasy settings who seem to have a thing for breaking pots and slaying ancient evils?

 

[False Nobility]

Yeah, I've had to defend TP quite a few times in the last few days, haha. But I understand that, you just described my favorite part of Majora to me too. But TP has such an intense, deliberate atmosphere that I ultimately found it's world more interesting, Twilight or Light. It can be so creepy, so peaceful, often at the same time. While side quest characters aren't nearly as complex I felt like the plot made up for it.

Different strokes, but you're opening thoughts did kinda get me thinking about how gamer's value innovation. I guess for some, just being REALLY good is the most important thing. makes sense. I agree, some of my favorite things aren't really doing something 'new' per se.

btw, if you're comfortable revealing this now, are you gonna talk about Skyward Sword? I know it's kind of a hot button topic...

 

[SomethingWorse]

btw, if you're comfortable revealing this now, are you gonna talk about Skyward Sword? I know it's kind of a hot button topic...

He should do a critique. What symbolism could possibly be in that disappointment? For a game with so much dialogue the story is paper thin. There's nothing going on there.

 

[Guffe]

And you're back!!
This is awesome! I remember watching the Majoras Mask review, missing the Ocarina of Time one, immediately going to that one after MM and now we have the next installment in the series.
Looking forward to parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this one

 

[Poetic Nova]

You've earned a subscription from me.
Certainely looking forward to future parts and I'll make sure to watch your previously made video's.

 

[False Nobility]

He should do a critique. What symbolism could possibly be in that disappointment? For a game with so much dialogue the story is paper thin. There's nothing going on there.

Ouch, I didn't think it was that bad. I'm pretty much asking because he's practically required to talk about it. He's tackled every other 'core' 3D Zelda game. He's even briefly talked about A Link to the Past. He's gotta do SOMETHING. Or I guess he could act like it never happened like Other...well you know. *cough*

A critique would be cool though.

 

[Overusedname]

He should do a critique. What symbolism could possibly be in that disappointment? For a game with so much dialogue the story is paper thin. There's nothing going on there.

Ouch, I didn't think it was that bad. I'm pretty much asking because he's practically required to talk about it. He's tackled every other 'core' 3D Zelda game. He's even briefly talked about A Link to the Past. He's gotta do SOMETHING. Or I guess he could act like it never happened like Other...well you know. *cough*

A critique would be cool though.

In all honesty, I'm not quite sure how I'm gonna handle it. I'd rather not spoil any of ideas right now, but suffice to say I will tackle it at some point.

I'll get to some other guys comments when I don't have a massive migraine, but I'm really glad people are enjoying the series so far.