The King of Hyrule inThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis a notable improvement overBreath of the Wild’s King Rhoam, although this is arguably a result of Ganon’s influence. There have been manykings of Hyrule in theZeldaseries, and they have ranged considerably in personality, notably unlike Princess Zelda herself. The differences seen between the two most recent kings perfectly exemplify just how big these changes can be, and also emphasize the terrible impact that the very existence of Ganon can have on Hyrule.
In some ways, it is easy to identify the titular Princess’ father in anyLegend of Zeldagame. Although their names do vary, a curious fact which sets them apart from many other stapleZeldafigures, the various Kings of Hyrule (and the non-royal Gaepora fromSkyward Sword) always boast a white beard and mustache. Even the non-HylianRauru inTears of the Kingdomhas long white hair, making it as much a signifier of royalty as the red clothing often worn by these kings. On the other hand, as their differing names imply, their actual characters can differ greatly.
The New King Of Hyrule Is A Kinder Father
When it comes to his relationship with Zelda,the King of Hyrule inEchoes of Wisdomis a much better person than King Rhoam. The former, curiously unnamed king dotes on his daughter, and firmly supports her in her quest. This contrasts sharply with the far colder Rhoam, who is shown to have placed an enormous amount of pressure on his daughter prior to the Great Calamity. Rhoam places great emphasis on Zelda doing her duty to her kingdom, and he is frustrated and disappointed in her inability to manifest her divine power, something which clearly disheartens the princess.
Zelda & The King’s Relationship Could Be Better If Not For Ganon
Fear Of The Calamity Strained Rhoam’s Bond With His Daughter
However, it must be kept in mind that Rhoam’s own attitude is only a consequence of his own fears. With Calamity Ganon predicted to emerge at any time, he is desperate to see his kingdom protected. As a result, if it were not for this particularlyimpactful version of Ganoninspiring such dread,it is easy to imagine Rhoam and Zelda’s relationship better matching the bond seen inEchoes of Wisdom. This retrospectively heightens the tragedy ofBOTW’s backstory, wherein Rhoam is killed before he and Zelda have a chance to reconcile.
Zelda: BOTW & TOTK’s Silent Princess Flower Has A Heartwarming Meaning
The Legend of Zelda’s Silent Princess flower has a subtle, heartwarming meaning behind its appearances in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
It is relatively rare for the King of Hyrule and Princess Zelda to have any prolonged interaction, a trend only broken withBreath of the Wildand subsequent titles. Rhoam is an undoubtedly flawed character, something which makes him a fitting addition to the powerful narrative ofBreath of the Wild, but it is sad to see how bad his relationship is with his daughter. Now, however, the latest King of Hyrule offers a striking change by being such a loving father to Zelda inThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, a refreshing change from what was seen previously.
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda franchise follows the adventures of Link, an elf-like Hylian, and Princess Zelda as they protect the land of Hyrule from the evil warlord-turned-demon king Ganon. The series is known for its mix of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving elements, often revolving around the collection of the Triforce, a powerful relic left by the goddesses who created Hyrule. Each game features different incarnations of Link and Zelda, maintaining core elements while introducing new characters and settings.
