How Zelda from Breath of the Wild helped me accept my bisexuality

When it comes to The Legend of Zelda franchise, the Princess of Hyrule has a specific role in the life she must play. Not only does she embody the goddess of wisdom, but she is also royalty, so she is expected to be intelligent, balanced and traditionally feminine. She rarely wants anything different for herself. But in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Zelda struggles with the role she was born in. Unable to unlock her inner sealing power and meet her father’s high expectations, the world seems to be against her at every step. Despite these pressures, she finds refuge in her chosen family and in her inner strength. That’s why I identify with her as a bisexual woman. It helped me to see my own worth and worth.

In the old games, Zelda was more like her stereotypical princess. Normally, you would find her dressed to the nines inside Hyrule Castle or trapped in some dungeon. Inside Breath of the Wild, Zelda usually goes out to the field, speaking ill of a frog or a rare flower. As someone who loves to talk endlessly about a video game or thought-provoking book, I understand perfectly. I love to share my passions with close friends and the world in general. Whether she is learning about the local flora and fauna or the ancient Guardians, knowledge is what moves her and fulfills her with a purpose. The more excited she is about a new discovery, the faster she speaks. But Zelda is not always comfortable expressing her authentic self.

Breath of the Wild includes a heartbreaking scene in which the King of Hyrule confronts and scolds his daughter. He examines her about what the gossips say about her, how she is wasting time studying Guardians and so on. In your father’s eyes, your true identity matters little. According to him, she has a role to play and is absolutely terrible at it. While Zelda closes her hands in fists of frustration, it’s like a scene taken from my own life. His anger is almost palpable. It is something I can relate to deeply. There is nothing more discouraging than being punished for not meeting expectations or fulfilling a role that someone else wants you to play, especially if it comes from a loved one.

Image: Nintendo

Like Zelda, I was expected to be someone I am not. When I was a kid, I loved video games because they expanded my imagination and calmed my anxious mind. However, they were considered “boyish things” and were dismissed by my colleagues and family. In my early twenties, I was forced out of the closet during a car ride. My relatives told me that I needed to go to church because I was dating a woman, as if divine intervention could fix me. When I was a little older, I was advised to hide my bisexuality from the guy I was dating. For many years, I was unable to cope with the pain. I collapsed like a badly built sandcastle under the weight of those expectations. Nothing takes away your autonomy more than feeling that you have no voice.

My loved ones believed that bisexuality was not a real thing. They could not understand the fact that a person could be attracted to men and women. They could only see the world in terms of black and white. The reaction I received was cruel, unjust and unjustified. But I learned a lot from that. I realized that I couldn’t live my life according to someone else’s plan. Up to that point, I was trying to be the perfect daughter and friend. But the box that others put in me got smaller with each passing day. To live a more authentic life, I needed to ask my friends for help.

Unable to live up to her father’s expectations (a maddening thing to deal with), Zelda turns to the champions for support. They are your chosen family and they accept you for who they are. They provide a safe space where she can express herself freely, whether it’s napping on Urbosa’s shoulder or crying in Link’s arms. It is very important to have a strong support network, especially if you are dealing with prejudiced attitudes from loved ones. Everyone deserves to feel loved and validated. Zelda’s champions made me think about my own chosen family and how they raised me during a really dark period of my life.

Nintendo

In college, my relationship with my royal family was tense. I couldn’t talk to them about my sexuality without being hit with a million questions. Everything looked bleak and hopeless; I felt like I was drowning. But my friends, a group of wonderful misfits with open minds and hearts, often took me for a drive through our hometown. They let me express my worries and fears as they zoomed up and down the busy road that cut through our city like an arrow. It was cathartic. The gratitude I still have for them is immense and immeasurable. They were beacons of hope and light during those most difficult times. They helped me find my own strength when I was at my worst.

Zelda also finds its own strength when it is at its lowest point. In one of the last scenes, a crowd of aggressive Guardians is approaching her and a weakened Link. When she raises her hand to prevent a Guardian from killing Link, her sealing power comes out of her in the form of a bright yellow light. After the light fades, a pair of Sheikah guards approach her and Link. The power in Zelda’s voice is undeniable when she gives the guards clear instructions to take Disabled Link to the resurrection sanctuary. Despite everything she went through, she continued. Although Link is praised for his physical prowess on the battlefield, I always believed that Hyrule’s real hero was Zelda. She took control of her destiny and found her inner voice.

Nintendo

I found my voice too. When I made my husband’s commitment in his thirties, I was petrified. In fact, I had written a script for myself because I was concerned with freezing and choking on my own words. Although he is one of the kindest, most open-minded people I know, I was still afraid he would reject me. My anxiety probably stemmed from those previous traumatic experiences. Fortunately, he was totally fine with that. He was just sad that I missed Pride month for a few weeks because he wanted to celebrate with me. He’s a great life partner, and I’m very lucky to have him by my side. It took me a long time to get to this point in life, but I’m so happy I did it.

Zelda taught me a lot about finding my inner strength. Giving up on myself was simply not an option. Zelda had to overcome her father’s doubts and find her voice. I had to overcome the deep-seated prejudice of the people I loved. I am not defined by these experiences, but I am certainly shaped by them. It is not just about finding your inner strength, but also realizing that people can be wrong. No one can decide what role you should play. I am valid and worthy of love and respect and no one can take that away.