TheMaverickk

    It’s not very often that the stars align and not only do you get talk about one of my favorite video games of all time, but all the mushy emotions crammed into it. So with further a due I present to you Majora’s Love Theory.     Majora’s Mask is already well known for being one of the Legend of Zelda series darker games. With its eerie character designs, ominous atmosphere and overall seemingly depressing themes.It is a very divisive entry for its radical departure in game play, breaking away from the typical dungeon oriented adventure to a much more personal oriented side quest focus. A certain level of ambiguity has lent to some wild interpretations of the game, although many tend to focus on the far too obvious ’bleak’ aspects of the game.     In reality though Majora’s Mask is NOT about those things. It isn’t about the stages of grief, or the apocalypse or even death. On the contrary, Majora’s Mask is about LOVE. Specifically about relationships and the love between them. Which is why there is no better day to talk about one of the most overlooked and prominent themes which shape every other aspect of the game.  

    In order to talk about the theme of Love in Majora’s Mask we need to talk a bit about what love is first. In Greek there are four words for love (you might of heard of them if you are familiar with C.S Lewis’ book ’The Four Loves’) in order to differentiate between the different forms of love there are. These are;

Agape: refers to a brotherly love, affection, good will, love, and benevolence. Typically a term used to describe the love man has for God, and God has for man.    

Eros: typically refers to ‘physical’ love. Mind you extends to the term “Erotas” which refers more to intimate love. Which can be applied to dating relationships, as well as marriage.

Phillia: the love between friends and equals. Often expressed as loyalty to friends, family, and community. A level of relation that requires virtue, equality, and familiarity.

Storge: is the love between parents and children. The natural feelings of affection a parent may feel for a child and vice versa. 

The key things I want you to keep in mind as I continue on, is what each one stands for and the fact that there are four of them. 

    Now let’s start by examining the surface of Majora’s Mask, the aesthetic designs within the game and how these reflect the theme of love. You don’t have to look far though to see the connection. The iconic mask that the game is about happens to be made in the shape of a heart. This cursed mask is nothing more than a heart with some spikes protruding from it (perhaps an indicator of what kind of hexing rituals it was a part of). This heart shaped mask is also marked by vibrant markings, but the one I want to point out specifically is the bright green iris on those eerie staring eyes.  Majora is literally a green eyed monster. I’ll elaborate on this more down the article for those who are unfamiliar with the saying.  Throughout the game you will see the iconic mask plastered across blocks and balloons around the world.     Aside from Majora’s Mask, there are other places you may catch a glimpse of some of hearts. The door that seals you into Termina seems to bare a curious marking that resembles a heart (pictured above),  There’s also the heart mini dungeon, which features the symbol prominently on its doors and hanging in the halls to each room (oddly enough in multiples of four). Mind you the entire game isn’t going to have hearts covering it like your typical Valentine’s day card. Mind you what do we know about the human heart? Physically speaking the human heart is actually made up of four chambers. Not unlike how forming a heart container takes four pieces in the world of Zelda.     What else in Majora’s Mask is made up of four parts? How about the world of Termina itself? Divided into four distinct regions (Southern Swamp, Snowhead, Great Bay, and the land of Ikana) and guarded by four Giants respectively. It doesn’t end here though, four Sheikah stones that require musical performances, four transformation masks, four statues can be made using the song ‘Elegy of Emptiness’, and ultimately the goal of Majora’s Mask is to reach the fourth day. The world of Majora is ripe with the number. Interesting when you consider that we’ve already talked about how there are four different kinds of love.

    In fact the problems in each region could be related to an issue with each kind of love. In the Southern Swamp the main conflict is the loss of a daughter. A broken ’storge’ relationship that has also created a rift between races. In Snowhead we see a tribe, or community which is divided over the loss of a beloved hero and a missing elder, a communal ’philia’ form of love in turmoil. In Great Bay we see two lovers (Mikau and Lulu) who have come at odds due to the appearance of some strange eggs, an ’eros’ relationship in trouble. Finally the land of Ikana where there is discord between a benevolent ruler, King Igos du Ikana and his subjects, has caused hate and distrust to seep into the land. Representing a broken ’agape’ relationship. If you believe that the land of Ikana also seemingly has forsaken the gods (upside down Triforces depicted below the feet of the statues with their tongues hanging out) it only furthers this regions connection to a broken 'agape’ love.     The connections are incredibly strong. Don’t believe me consider these small other details. The Goron tribe refers often to each other as 'brothers’ despite any actual blood relation. This is exactly what Philia is about. Love between equals. In Great Bay there is another Eros relationship that is in trouble. The separated Sea Horse couple. Who when re-united explode in a display of love. In Ikana it isn’t just the relationship between the King and his subjects, but there is also Captain Keeta and his men who remain loyal despite being dead, waiting for his command and care. Another example of a benevolent relationship.

    Now we’ve more than transitioned from the aesthetics symbolism in Majora’s Mask to the meat of the content. The game play and quests themselves. Although each region seems to have a distinct connection to each form of love, that doesn’t change the fact that in Clock Town and surrounding areas you will meet many characters who also display these various kinds of love.       Termina may is on the brink of ruin, but it isn’t because the moon is about to fall. Despite the danger looming over head, very few residents seem to be focused on it. Instead wrapped up in their own personal relationship woes. From a Mayor and his Wife who are more concerned with their missing son, and their family troubles then carnival business. A son who is the fiancé to Anju the Innkeeper who is desperately searching for him in order to get answers. She is barely concerned with the fact that the sky is falling. The Circus Leader who is more concerned by the failure of being unable to perform with his troupe, and coming to terms with his own abilities. Not being able to measure up to the skill of his brothers he set off on his own. The Romani sisters who aren’t listening to each other’s over concerns of the family business (one over ghosts coming to steal cows, the other with bandits stealing during deliveries).    Even our main protagonist, Link, only chanced upon Termina because he was separated from a cherished companion.

    The people of Termina’s greatest problems are the broken and wounded relationships. People like talking about how depressing Majora’s Mask is, and how dark and mature the content is, but often overlook what is the source of all the darkness and depression. The root is always relationships. More importantly a lack of love. Often due to being too selfish and consumed with their own wants and needs that they can’t help those around them. Left to be alone, sad, angry and frustrated.       Not unlike our games main antagonist, Skull Kid. You see Skull Kid’s goal in Majora’s Mask isn’t to destroy the world. It’s to destroy all the relationships within it. You see at one time Skull Kid was friends with the Giants, until they left him in order to protect each of the regions they had created. Feeling hurt, frustrated and lonely at being seemingly abandoned by his closest friends, Skull Kid lashes out by playing tricks on the residents of Termina that become more malicious over time. In the end the giants were forced to intervene with banishment or the threat of destruction.     Skull Kid in the end left and there was peace in Termina. Only to return after getting his hands on Majora’s Mask and repeat history but on a grander scale. It’s why we hear stories about how Skull Kid turned Kafei into a child, or caused Lulu to lay some strange eggs. Seems like a roundabout way to destroy the world. That is all the moon is, a catalyst to cause friction between the people of the land. Skull Kid is simply seeking to create rifts between friends and couples alike, all because he is envious of what they have. Majora is a green eyed monster of envy (the aesthetic symbolism I mentioned earlier) and it has consumed all of Skull Kid’s being causing him to act out and maliciously attack those who have what he does not.

Depressing as the apocalyptic setting is, Majora’s Mask isn’t about death, but instead the healing power of love. Sure people are sad and frustrated, but they are just symptoms of the actual problem, the broken bonds they are dragging around.. Relationships that can be mended. As Link you spend your time repairing the broken bonds of Termina’s residents. Literally being the link between these divided people who can’t connect with each other because of the turmoil Skull Kid has caused. This is what makes Majora’s Mask such an emotionally powerful game, as you can’t help but become invested in the people you encounter as you help relieve them of the sadness, anger, frustration and guilt they feel towards others. It’s why you are rewarded with 'happy’ masks from 'healing’ them on your journey…

In the end none say it better then the Happy Mask Salesman himself;

“Whenever a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. However that parting need not last forever. Whether a parting be forever, or only a short time… that is up to you”

As the player it’s all up to you, whether you involve yourself with the characters in Majora’s Mask (if you do you are rewarded with a mask that unlocks their ending on the fourth day), or pass them by. This applies outside the game world though. Do you look back at your friendships and relationships with fondness? Do you seek to fix broken bonds? Do you put in the effort to see those who are gone? Do you keep the memories of those who have passed alive in your heart? It’s all in our hands to make the choice.

    It may seem like a stretch to some that Majora’s Mask is actually about love and relationships, but when you consider Aonuma’s team feelings during the development of this game it makes sense;

“Day 32: Normally, we wrap things up around 10 p.m. but tonight we finished up early since Mr. Miyamoto was taking the Zelda team out to dinner. There, game director Eiji Aonuma and supervisor Takashi Tezuka told me how they’ve been incorporated things from their everyday lives into the game. Development began in August 1999, and the team rarely got to go home. As a result, many of the characters talk about not being able to spend time with their wives.” - Nintendo Power Vol. 136

They poured those emotions into the game and this is a big part of why those feelings are strong in the world of Termina. Feeling lonely, isolated, and cut off from those you love. Majora’s Mask is a piece of art that truly captured its creators feelings. I also don’t believe it’s a mere coincidence that Nintendo chose this holiday to release a 3D remaster of the game.

    It’s not a game about how Link is dead, or how the gods have forsaken Termina, or the stages of grief (which again are just the symptoms of the root theme). Majora’s Mask is a game about friendship, relationships and love. So takes some time to spread some positive vibes and perhaps mend some of your own relationships or celebrate the ones you cherish. With that I wish you all a Happy Valentines Day!

If you enjoyed this lengthy read, like and share (please give credit where it’s due, since instead of playing MM3D I spent it working to make GIFs, researching this topic and writing this article). Good bye for now! - TheMaverickk