69 pages • 2 hours read
Andrzej SapkowskiSword of Destiny
Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 1992A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Death
Death wields significant influence in Sword of Destiny, and its symbolic presence extends beyond the mere termination of life. The greater longevity of certain characters plays an integral part in the narrative, serving as a profound distinction between humans and non-humans, for this contrast is amplified by the brevity of human life spans when compared with the longevity of other beings such as sorcerers and elves. This stark difference is implied to be a contributing factor to the animosity that many humans harbor toward non-humans.
Death also makes an appearance in The Search for Identity that absorbs Geralt, for when Calanthe declares that “[d]eath dogs [his] footsteps [...] but others die” (298), Geralt internalizes her words and views himself as an agent of death. However, his perception of death’s role is deeply misconstrued, as he will discover upon encountering the avatar of Death itself, for she explicitly clarifies the matter by stating, “I do not take anything. I just take people by the hand. So that no one will be alone at that moment” (361). Rather than an embodiment of cruelty, Death offers solace to those in their final moments, and thus, if Geralt is himself an agent of death, then he embodies a more compassionate role than he previously realized.
Moreover, death emerges as a symbol of destiny. Geralt rightly asserts that all destinies culminate in death. However, the narrative underscores the fact that how a person lives is an integral part of that destiny. The deaths of the 14 sorcerers in the Second Battle of Sodden are a prime example, for their sacrifice thwarts the Nilfgaardian incursion and reshapes public perception of all sorcerers. Formerly viewed with suspicion and mistrust, sorcerers become heroes in the eyes of Sodden’s citizens, a transformation that is marked by regular floral tributes to the memorial of the fallen. In this way, death itself becomes a catalyst for altering broader societal opinions. Throughout Sword of Destiny, death manifests as a multi-faceted symbol, signifying the fundamental disparity between humans and other creatures, even as it functions as a pivotal aspect of individual destinies, shaping both lives and societal perspectives.
“Something More”
The whims of destiny are intricately woven throughout Sapkowski’s universe, yet Sword of Destiny repeatedly states that destiny alone is insufficient and that “something more is needed” (332). This enigmatic phrase, “something more,” is a motif that runs throughout the collection and is uttered by multiple characters in different contexts. From the admonitions of the dragon Villentretenmerth to the willingness of a mermaid to transform herself for love, Sapkowski illustrates the necessity of this elusive “something more” long before the phrase is fully explained. Even the enigmatic statement of the dryad queen to Gerald hints at deeper layers within the construct of destiny, for as she tells the witcher, “The sword of destiny has two blades. You are one of them” (295).
While Sapkowski intentionally leaves the nature of this “something more” undefined, Geralt grapples with its elusive essence up until the very last page. Initially assuming that the other blade of destiny must be death, he is soon forced to discard this interpretation, although he despairs of ever understanding what the “something more” might be. Although the answer remains ambiguous, the narrative suggests that choice is the missing element. Thus, although the author crafts a world driven by destiny, he also posits that it is insufficient for destiny to merely dictate paths; instead, individuals must actively choose to embrace their fate. Despite destiny’s potential to penalize those who defy its will, the power of choice remains.
The Law of Surprise
The Law of Surprise is a potent symbol of destiny that reappears at key moments throughout the narrative. This legal concept states that when one traveler saves the life of another, the savior may claim the Law of Surprise as payment for their good deed. By the rules of this agreement, the person saved must cede the first unexpected boon that they find upon returning home. Though this boon could be anything from a bumper crop to a stray kitten, the specifics remain nebulous and inject an element of chance or fate into the narrative. Within Sapkowski’s universe, the “surprise” gift often turns out to be an unexpected child, with whose fate the savior’s becomes inextricably linked.
Embedded within the witcher code is the obligation that when someone pledges to provide a witcher with anything they desire in payment for their services, the witcher must employ the Law of Surprise. When Geralt reluctantly invokes it at Yurga’s behest, he is bound by this code, and the scene emphasizes the weight of following such a practice. Essentially, the Law of Surprise epitomizes a high-stakes game of chance. Neither party comprehends the ultimate cost, which adds an element of unpredictability and randomness to the agreement. In this sense, the Law of Surprise functions as a conduit for destiny itself. While the likelihood of such a law resulting in the acquisition of a child might seem improbable, the narrative reveals that these so-called “Children of Destiny” include both Geralt and Ciri. This fact underscores the profound influence that destiny exerts over their fates, showcasing the ways in which the Law of Surprise becomes a tangible manifestation of their predetermined paths.
Stories and Ballads
Stories and ballads emerge as a pervasive motif in Sword of Destiny, exemplified through the character of Dandelion, whose narrative endeavors blur the line between truth and fiction. He humorously distinguishes his approach, asserting that he is “not lying, just embellishing, and there’s a difference” (17). Dandelion’s role thus adds depth to the narrative by creating a metafictional exploration of storytelling itself. His pursuit of Geralt is not merely motivated by the desire for companionship; he also uses each new adventure as fresh material for his ballads, which are meant to evoke genuine emotions rather than to represent absolute truth. Despite embellishing true events and injecting outright fabrications, Dandelion’s ballads are imbued with heightened moral dimensions and therefore often ring truer than the actual occurrences. In this way, his storytelling transcends the constraints of factual accuracy by crafting narratives that reflect universal truths. As the series continues beyond Sword of Destiny, Dandelion’s storytelling efforts overlap with Geralt’s quest and ultimately transcend the original events; indeed, the later books in the series explore an intricate interplay between the narrative present of Geralt’s life story and the perspective of future generations who cherish his status as a legend that has grown and bloomed over centuries of retelling. In this light, the stories and ballads within the collection become a multifaceted representation of truth, showcasing the intricate relationship between fiction and the deeper, enduring truths that they convey.
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By Andrzej Sapkowski
