69 pages 2 hours read

Andrzej Sapkowski

Sword of Destiny

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 1992

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Character Analysis

Geralt of Rivia

As the protagonist, Geralt of Rivia stands as the sole constant across each narrative in the collection. Abandoned by his sorceress mother, Visenna, when he was a child, he was left in the care of the witchers. These mutated humans are forged by magic and alchemy to acquire superhuman attributes like strength, speed, heightened senses, and rapid regeneration. The rigorous training they undergo transforms them into formidable monster-hunters dedicated to safeguarding humanity. These modifications extend their lifespans, but their hazardous lifestyle makes their longevity uncertain. Geralt, who is estimated to be between 70 and 80 during “The Bounds of Reason,” earns the moniker “White Wolf” due to his distinctive white hair. His feline eyes accompany a physique marked by leanness, muscularity, and a tapestry of battle scars.

Silent yet internally contemplative, Geralt adheres to the witcher’s code and exhibits a strong inner sense of morality. While the code dictates emotional detachment, Geralt defies this premise, experiencing emotions intensely despite the profession’s supposed stoicism. His conviction that he cannot feel emotions complicates his relationships: a folly continually analyzed by those closest to him. It takes several hardships and the end of his relationship with Yennefer for Geralt to accept that he is an emotional being.