The Soul Character Analysis

After the Witch has told The Fisherman how to send away his soul so that he can be with the Mermaid, the Soul becomes a character in his own right. When the Soul first begins to speak to the Fisherman, it is to beg the Fisherman not to send him away. When the Fisherman refuses and insists on separating himself from his Soul, his Soul than implores the Fisherman to at least not send him away without a heart. This the Fisherman also refuses. Nonetheless, the Soul is hopeful that he will one day be rejoined with his master and insists that on returning to see the Fisherman at the end of each year. When he does so, he attempts to convince the Fisherman to leave the Mermaid by tempting him with wisdom and riches. When he eventually succeeds, and the Fisherman agrees to temporarily reunite with him, the Soul instructs the Fisherman to commit cruel acts, including murder. In this way, the reader learns that, having travelled around the world without a heart, the Soul has become “an evil soul.” Up until the end of the story, the Soul is desperate to be permanently reunited with the Fisherman, and continually tries tempt him with good and evil deeds alike. Although the Soul ultimately does manage to re-enter the Fisherman’s heart, this only occurs in the few moments before the Fisherman drowns, shortly after his heart has broken following the death of the Mermaid.