A mythical figure that wants to seduce Agnete and lure her into the ocean. Kierkegaard engages in a lengthy examination of the story of the Merman and Agnete, considering various endings to the story—whether the Merman could save himself by marrying Agnete, have faith that the divine might save Agnete, or hide from Agnete forever to save her—to explore demonic and divine approaches to repentance and whether silence is best.