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Who Is Melchizek In The Alchemist

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Throughout Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, the protagonist, Santiago, meets a plethora of different and unique individuals that contribute to his journey. Some of the characters he meets are meant to create foils to the boy’s persona, whereas some are crucial to his success. However, the first person that introduces Santiago to the prospect of his Personal Legend rises over all else. Melchizedek, the King of Salem, helps prepare Santiago for his life-changing journey by teaching him to understand the importance of his Personal Legend, the weight of dreams, and how to explore without forgetting his roots. The primary lesson Santiago learns from Melchizedek is the meaning of his Personal Legend and why it is crucial that he follow it, helping …show more content…

During the first encounter between the boy and Melchizedek, the elder recalls a memory of a man who almost gave up on his Personal Legend of finding emeralds. Melchizedek then goes on to mention his bitterness when people give up their dreams. He tells Santiago, “People learn, early in their lives, what is their reason for being, maybe that’s why they give up on it so early too. But that’s the way it is” (Page 26). Before, when he recalls the story of the emerald miner, the old king sets up a scenario in which we can imagine people giving up their Personal Legends in frustration. Melchizedek teaches the boy with, “People learn, early in their lives, what is their reason for being,” that most people find their Personal Legend during their youth. However, he also poses, “Maybe that’s why they give up on it so early too,” which reminds readers that few have the strength and hope of a child to persevere and continue on their journey, as everyone grows old and weary. The tone suddenly shifts to a certain personal melancholy, as he adds, “But that’s the way it is.” This then gives readers the want that we should try and continue where most others fail. It is a sad lesson, but it inspires Santiago and the reader to fear giving up their

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1224 Words | 5 Pages

This quote explains to Santiago that even though the quest is not easy, it isn’t impossible. Melchizedek warns Santiago that some people fail to achieve their Personal Legend because of a “mysterious force” that distracts them. These mysterious

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518 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel Night, by Elie Wiesel, the author elaborates on the harshness of the Holocaust and he takes us through his journey as a young adult while experiencing all the barbaric ways of the Nazis. As Elie goes on his voyage he has thoughts on whether or not he has lost his “human ways” Ellie did keep his humanity intact because he kept pushing his father to persevere through the rough times of the Holocaust and Elie still showed remorse even in the end. First off, when certain people have advantages that benefit them only they take ahold of them. In the book, Ellie never thought of himself. Although his father was weak, Eliezer woke him from a deep sleep when he rested on the train to keep Chlomo from being thrown off.

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711 Words | 3 Pages

Paulo Coehlo’s, The Alchemist, explores the Hero’s Journey through the story of a shepherd, Santiago. Throughout the novel, Santiago becomes more aware of his potential as he pursues his Personal Legend. He faces temptations and obstacles as he develops as a character. The hero crosses the threshold when they leave their old reality in search for a new one. Santiago crosses the threshold by selling his sheep and taking a boat to Africa.

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1318 Words | 6 Pages

Santiago learns to let go of attachments and desires that may stop him from his dream of pursuing his personal legend. In the quote “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is more than the suffering itself”. And no heart has ever suffered

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503 Words | 3 Pages

In the book the Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho) Santiago learns many things along the way to achieving his personal legend. He gained skills and experience in things across the board, from how to clean crystals, to the 5 obligations of Muslims, to the basics of alchemy. Santiago learns from the wise, and educated, but also learns the meaning of a true friendship. Overall it is true that reaching one 's personal legend is life 's greatest treasure, but often the journey is just as valuable.

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532 Words | 3 Pages

While at the Oasis of Al-Fayoum, the elder chieftain of the oasis tells Santiago the story of Joseph of Egypt. Joseph was enslaved for being a dreamer, but he persevered and managed to become an important counselor to the Pharaoh of Egypt. This Personal Legend could have suited Santiago because of his connection to the Soul of the World. The Soul of the World is a spiritual unity that binds all forms of nature together. Santiago knew he wanted to follow his dreams; it was helpful when he learned that “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it” because he knew he was now destined to complete his goal, and not somebody else’s (Coelho 64).

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1041 Words | 5 Pages

From A Young Boy To A Mature Man Paulo Coelho’s novel “The Alchemist,” is about a boy named Santiago and his journey to find lost treasure. Along his journey, the young boy comes across mentors, falls in love with a girl named Fatima, and most importantly throughout his journey, he evolves into a mature and wiser individual as the story goes on, but how does he reach his full potential? This essay will argue and break down the steps taken throughout the novel for Santiago to be able to evolve from a young boy into a mature adult while presenting the theme of growth. This is proven by Santiago showing his determination to follow his dreams despite what others think while showing great decision-making skills, and making the world a better place

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511 Words | 3 Pages

All individuals have the power to define their own fate if they pursue their dreams, persevere, and have self-confidence. In The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, the protagonist, Santiago, is a humble shepherd boy. His parents urged him to study to enter priesthood but he had always longed to travel (10). He makes the decision to stop studying in seminary and instead becomes a shepherd.

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This is illuminated when the Alchemist says, “‘There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure’” (141). This particular moment shows that even though Santiago has both the ability and the knowledge to achieve his dream, it is impossible to attain it if he fears even attempting to reach it. Consequently, this fear acts as his enemy and a barrier that stands in the way of the meaningful and happy life he is destined to accomplish. Furthermore, another one of his fears is the fear of losing what he believes he has already earned. ” He reminded himself that he had been a shepherd and that he could be a shepherd again.

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1116 Words | 5 Pages

The main character in ‘The Alchemist,” Santiago is a boy who was set off to follow his “personal legend” as said in the novel. A personal legend is a person 's goal to attain a dream also known as a destiny. Throughout the novel Santiago, the boy was in search of his destiny through a long journey to make his dreams of seeing the world come true. The sole purpose to navigate through his journey from dreams to reality was to achieve his destiny, in order for it to occur he had to change his routine and began to follow a course that changed throughout his journey to something greater than expected. In many novels characters change their course in order to attain a dream.

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971 Words | 4 Pages

… The boy was shaking with fear, but the alchemist helped him out of the tent. … the alchemist continued, “usually the threat of death makes people a lot more aware of their lives.”” (Coelho 140 6 8, Coelho 142 2) Just like before Santiago is afraid and doesn't know what to do in a situation of adversity. But he does not give up he perseveres and developes

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316 Words | 2 Pages

Although the treasure was in the very spot Santiago had the dream and not near the pyramids, through Santiago 's journey through the desert, being rob, being threaten, and meeting the women of his dreams, Santiago learns that everything in life is not easily attainable. And if you want something so much, don’t give up, because of the difficulties you face. Because in the end those same difficulties can positively shape who you are. I believe that Santiago development closely relates to Vygotsky’s theory, which states that social and cultural interaction guide cognitive development.

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935 Words | 4 Pages

Santiago has an epiphany when he realizes that if you never change and take risks you will never move forward. He wants to find his “personal legend,” or true desire, and to obtain this he needs to change his own nature. He must be willing to give up whatever is necessary to achieve this goal, including freedom. On Santiago’s journey he becomes employed by a crystal merchant that never achieved his personal legend. The merchant resisted change and never accomplished his dreams.

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540 Words | 3 Pages

Even Though there was three different people who helped santiago find his personal legend, he had to go find it to fill complete. The king helped him first by explaining what a personal legend is. He tells Santiago about good and bad omens and says that it is the shepherd boy's duty to pursue his Personal Legend. Melchizedek then gives Santiago two stones, Urim and Thummim, with which to

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1210 Words | 5 Pages

Erasmus was the most influential European humanist of his generation and inadvertently his program of religious reform helped ignite Luther’s religious message. Christian humanism was deliberately created by a variety of humanists, and Erasmus’s writings also contributed to the creation of Christian humanism. Erasmus promoted applying the same critical approaches to Scripture that humanists had applied to ancient literature in order to correct textual errors and have a better understanding of the message of biblical authors. Erasmus represented the branch of humanism that wanted reform and this group challenged the academic, intellectual, and religious traditions of the Middle Ages. Erasmian humanism did not survive the struggles of the Reformation; however, humanism was not destroyed, but transformed.

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