Suduiko, A. (2014f, November 26). “Even if I die… It won’t be in peace.” The dynamics of death in “Majora’s Mask.” With A Terrible Fate. https://withaterriblefate.com/2014/11/26/even-if-i-die-it-wont-be-in-peace-the-dynamics-of-death-in-majoras-mask/

Summary

The sixth entry in Suduiko's "A Comprehensive Theory of Majora's Mask" ([[Comprehensive Theory Majora's Mask]]).

Notes

An in depth analysis of the mechanics of Mikau's death in Majora ([[Majora's Mask]]) helps us understand that Link, as the link between us the player and Termina, creates Termina and its suffering through perceiving it. He is also the only one that can heal it, simultaneously ending it. // [[Links power to end Termina and Koholint]]

The first and only encounter Link has with Mikau is as he dies. Even after resetting time to the beginning of the three day cycle, Mikau is not seen again. This has implications that something about how Link interacted ([[Conceptually conversing with the world]]) with Mikau both brought about his suffering and ended it permanently.

Using truth-functional logic to frame Mikau as neither dead or alive - instead in an other/undetermined state - we can see him as in a transitional state. We as the player have no idea that Mikau exists before meeting him the first time, and so we (again, as the player) assign state of aliveness to characters when we first encounter them. So in the case of Mikau, we encounter him in a transitional state of dying. Because Mikau functionally does not exist prior to being perceived by Link, and he is in a state of dying when that arbirary meeting does occur, we can conclude that Link created Mikau by becoming aware of his existence. And Mikau disappears permanently the moment Link heals him with the Song of Healing.

This can be generalized to Link creating Termina by perceiving it. Or, to put another way, Termina does not exist prior to Link encountering it. And similarly, it cannot be fully terminated until Link fully heals all suffering. As previously discussed (Why Majora's Mask is Unique), Termina is in a perpetual state of suffering and cannot be saved fully.

Interestingly, when Mikau - and the other transformation masks - are worn, Link undergoes intense suffering. When Mikau dies fully through the Song of Healing, we can see that the mask is a form of condensed suffering. Mikau is literally separated from his suffering and is able to die in peace. And when he is fully removed from his suffering, he fully dies.

My favorite thought here is that Mikau, by hearing the Song of Healing, steps beyond the realm where Link can perceive him. Potentially, it's as if he steps into another dimension entirely - away from the nihilism that Termina is constructed from.

Citations