Editing Princess Zelda (section)

=== Characterisation ===
According to [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], co-creator of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' series, Princess Zelda's name was inspired by [[Zelda Fitzgerald]], an American novelist, dancer, and socialite, as well as the wife of fellow novelist [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]]. Miyamoto had decided to name the first game "The Legend of X", but did not know what the X would stand for. He said that a public relations planner had suggested the name when proposing an illustrated story for the game involving the rescue of a princess who was defined as an eternal beauty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenbaum |first=Aaron |date=2022-10-31 |title=Why The Legend of Zelda Isn't Named After Link |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/why-the-legend-of-zelda-isnt-named-after-link/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019153406/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/why-the-legend-of-zelda-isnt-named-after-link/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Miyamoto explained: "I couldn't really get behind the book idea but I really liked the name Zelda. I asked him if I could use it, and he said that would be fine. And that's where the title ''The Legend of Zelda'' was born."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZfzKDwAAQBAJ&dq=there%27s+a+famous+american+author+whose+wives+name+is+zelda&pg=PP8|title=Hyrule Historia|date=14 April 2020|publisher=Nintendo|pages=2|isbn=9781506721385|access-date=19 November 2021|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408085829/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZfzKDwAAQBAJ&dq=there%27s+a+famous+american+author+whose+wives+name+is+zelda&pg=PP8|url-status=live}}</ref>

Zelda was established as a princess in the first game, with few details given about the Royal Family of Hyrule until later games. She is a princess in most games except in ''[[Skyward Sword]]'', which takes place before the founding of Hyrule Kingdom. Like [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], there are multiple incarnations of Princess Zelda in the series who are all connected by [[The Legend of Zelda Timeline|''The Legend of Zelda'' timeline]], which spans thousands of years of fictional history. Each version of Princess Zelda is a descendant of the first who founded the royal line and Hyrule.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Greenbaum |first=Aaron |date=2023-01-12 |title=The Legend of Zelda: How Every Version of Zelda Is Related |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-every-version-of-zelda-relationship-history-explained/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801202121/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-every-version-of-zelda-relationship-history-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The instruction booklet for ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'' establishes that Zelda's name reoccurs because the prince of the kingdom orders that "every female child born into the royal household shall be given the name Zelda".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkin |first=Jeffrey |date=2023-03-08 |title=The Zelda timeline doesn't matter |url=https://www.polygon.com/zelda/23618364/zelda-timeline-tears-of-the-kingdom-hero-zelda-link-ganon-myth-breath-wild-sequel |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730080004/https://www.polygon.com/zelda/23618364/zelda-timeline-tears-of-the-kingdom-hero-zelda-link-ganon-myth-breath-wild-sequel |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:SheikZelda.png|thumb|upright=0.4|alt= Artwork of Sheik wearing a mask and a blue and white unitard |Zelda's identity was concealed as Sheik in ''[[Ocarina of Time]]'']]
In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', Zelda's role was expanded by giving her an alter ego as a surviving member of the [[Sheikah]] clan named {{nihongo|Sheik|シーク|Shīku}}. To hide from Ganondorf and protect the Triforce of Wisdom, she disguises herself as a ninja warrior. During the game, she acts as a guide and helps Link on his quest to defeat Ganondorf until near the end of the game when she reveals herself to be Zelda.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2018-12-11 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Profiles: Sheik |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/108986/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-sheik |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Shacknews |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107182255/https://www.shacknews.com/article/108986/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-sheik |url-status=live }}</ref> Sheik's gender was the subject of debate, with some fans believing that Zelda transforms herself into a male character in ''Ocarina of Time''. Nintendo senior product marketing manager [[Bill Trinen]] responded that Sheik is a woman: "simply Zelda in a different outfit".<ref>{{Cite web|last=DanielleRiendeau|date=2014-08-05|title=Zelda fans debate Sheik's gender, but here's Nintendo's final word|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/5/5948989/zelda-nintendo-sheik-gender-cosplay|access-date=2021-11-21|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121161248/https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/5/5948989/zelda-nintendo-sheik-gender-cosplay|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Miyamoto revealed in an interview that the development team had considered the possibility of producing a spin-off game with Sheik as the protagonist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2016 |title=Interview Miyamoto : "Un équilibre difficile à trouver" |url=https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/interview-miyamoto-un-equilibre-difficile-a-trouver-165131.html |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Gamekult |language=fr |archive-date=2024-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107215823/https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/interview-miyamoto-un-equilibre-difficile-a-trouver-165131.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A game starring Sheik was reported to be in development at [[Retro Studios]] but was eventually cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2022-09-05 |title=New Details on Cancelled Zelda Sheik Game Seemingly Emerge: 'It Was an Experiment Gone Wrong' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/zelda-sheik-game-retro-experiment-gone-wrong |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114201036/https://www.ign.com/articles/zelda-sheik-game-retro-experiment-gone-wrong |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:TetraZelda.png|thumb|upright=0.6|left|alt=Artwork of Tetra wearing a pirate costume and wielding a cutlass |Zelda appears as a pirate named Tetra in ''[[The Wind Waker]].'']]
{{Anchor|Tetra}}Another alter ego of Zelda named {{nihongo|Tetra|テトラ|Tetora}} was introduced in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' and its [[Nintendo DS]] sequel, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]''. Like Sheik, she plays a major role in the storyline as a young pirate captain who helps Link to find his sister, Aryll. In this incarnation, Zelda is unaware of her royal bloodline until the end of the game.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Huebner|first=Alex|date=2021-02-13|title=Zelda has a lot of alter egos — here are all of them, and their backstories|url=https://www.imore.com/all-zeldas-alter-egos-and-their-back-stories|access-date=2021-11-21|website=iMore|archive-date=2021-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027190037/https://www.imore.com/all-zeldas-alter-egos-and-their-back-stories|url-status=live}}</ref> Her true identity is revealed when the Triforce of Wisdom is restored, which results in her physical transformation to her Princess Zelda form.<ref name=":4" /> ''The Phantom Hourglass'' follows on from ''The Wind Waker'' with Link and Tetra exploring the sea to find new land. Tetra is captured on a Ghost Ship, and Link must defeat the Demon Monster Bellum with the Phantom Sword to save her.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-11-23|title=Review: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/ds/legend_of_zelda_phantom_hourglass|access-date=2021-11-21|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121231211/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/ds/legend_of_zelda_phantom_hourglass|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2011 interview with ''[[GamesRadar+]]'', series producer [[Eiji Aonuma]] commented on the possibility of Tetra reappearing within the ''Zelda'' series: "Personally, I really like the character, but the director on the DS games after that, Mr. Iwamoto, said he didn't really like her, so he didn't want to use her".<ref name=":9" />

Zelda was given a more active role in ''[[Spirit Tracks]]'' by adventuring alongside Link in spirit form, which made a sharp contrast to her [[damsel in distress]] role in earlier installments. Aonuma explained that this decision reflected the desires of fans and developers alike. A survey conducted in the United States signified consumers preferred more independent female characters, including Zelda's alter-egos Sheik and Tetra. Director, Daiki Iwamoto, also expressed an interest in making Zelda "a more integral part of the game" during the game's development.<ref name="Zelda integral part">{{cite web|last1=Totilo|first1=Stephen|date=2009-11-25|title=Zelda Developer Was Stumped By New Zelda Game's Puzzles|url=http://kotaku.com/5412635/zelda-developer-was-stumped-by-new-zelda-games-puzzles|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419080050/http://kotaku.com/5412635/zelda-developer-was-stumped-by-new-zelda-games-puzzles|archive-date=April 19, 2010|access-date=2015-09-07|website=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]}}</ref>

The character's significance within the mythology of the series was expanded further in ''Skyward Sword'', where the first incarnation of Zelda is established as the mortal reincarnation of the goddess Hylia, a recurring deity worshipped by the Hylians that appears in statue form.<ref name=":7" /> Aonuma said that his team had been looking at how to portray Zelda more as the title character rather than just a princess to be rescued and wanted to give her an active role in the story. He also said that by establishing a connection between Zelda and Link, it helps the player to be better immersed in the adventure.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Gudmundson |first=Carolyn |date=2011-11-09 |title=Zelda, past and future: An interview with Koji Kondo and Eiji Aonuma |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/zelda-past-and-future-interview-koji-kondo-and-eiji-aonuma/ |access-date=2021-11-21 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en |archive-date=2021-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121235916/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/zelda-past-and-future-interview-koji-kondo-and-eiji-aonuma/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Aonuma said that for ''[[Breath of the Wild]]'', Zelda was designed to be "complex and multifaceted".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nunneley-Jackson |first=Stephany |date=2017-01-19 |title=Zelda's "complex and multifaceted" in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so don't read too much into the trailer |url=https://www.vg247.com/zeldas-complex-and-multifaceted-in-the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-so-dont-read-too-much-into-the-trailer |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=VG247 |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418075730/https://www.vg247.com/zeldas-complex-and-multifaceted-in-the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-so-dont-read-too-much-into-the-trailer |url-status=live }}</ref> He said that he wanted players to "explore and see these different sides of Zelda, different emotions that she evokes".<ref name=":12">{{Cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |title=Everything We Know About Princess Zelda In Breath Of The Wild |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/02/21/everything-we-know-about-princess-zelda-in-breath-of-the-wild.aspx |access-date=2023-04-18 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418171751/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/02/21/everything-we-know-about-princess-zelda-in-breath-of-the-wild.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> During development, the team briefly considered giving Zelda the lead role as female protagonist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nunneley-Jackson |first=Stephany |date=2016-06-14 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Zelda once under consideration as main character |url=https://www.vg247.com/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-zelda-was-one-under-consideration-as-main-character |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=VG247 |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016130614/https://www.vg247.com/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-zelda-was-one-under-consideration-as-main-character |url-status=live }}</ref> Director [[Hidemaro Fujibayashi]] said that in ''[[Tears of the Kingdom]]'' her character development is a key aspect of the narrative: "She's going through growth, experiencing things, and ultimately figuring out what kind of a person she's going to be."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=2023-05-12 |title=A conversation with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's creative leads |url=https://www.theverge.com/23721063/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-interview-aonuma-fujibayashi |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512171338/https://www.theverge.com/23721063/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-interview-aonuma-fujibayashi |url-status=live }}</ref>

With the development of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom|Echoes of Wisdom]]'', Zelda was given the role of protagonist for the first time in a mainline ''Zelda game'', although it was originally intended for Link. Aonuma recognised that players wanted a playable Zelda and decided that she was the ideal character for the game's echoes concept. Despite feeling that this would do justice to the character, the development team struggled to find the right story and brainstormed ideas to explain Zelda's motivations for embarking on the adventure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=2024-09-24 |title=Here's why Nintendo ditched Link as Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom protagonist |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-why-nintendo-ditched-link-as-zelda-echoes-of-wisdom-protagonist#:~:text=Initially,%20Link%20was%20to%20be,echoes,%20the%20game's%20new%20concept. |access-date=2024-12-20 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=2024-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112210842/https://www.eurogamer.net/heres-why-nintendo-ditched-link-as-zelda-echoes-of-wisdom-protagonist#:~:text=Initially,%20Link%20was%20to%20be,echoes,%20the%20game's%20new%20concept. |url-status=live }}</ref>