The Marlin's Destiny

The great marlin's journey from a free king of the sea to a captured prize, then to a skeleton, embodying the cycle of life and death.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The King of the Deep

The King of the Deep A Noble Creature The marlin lives in the deep, dark water, fast and strong. It is older than Santiago, perhaps. It has never been caught. It is a creature of great beauty and power, with purple stripes and a long sword. The Bait It takes the bait because it is hungry. It does not understand the treachery. It fights with all its might, towing the skiff for days. It is a worthy opponent, the fish of Santiago's dreams. Its destiny is to be caught and killed, but not without a fight.

The Battle

The Battle The Fish's Struggle The marlin pulls the boat, jumps, circles, and fights for its life. It hits the wire leader with its spear. It is strong and noble. Santiago feels its pain and respects it. The Death Finally, the marlin tires. Santiago drives the harpoon into its heart. The fish rises in a final display of beauty, then dies. Its blood stains the sea. The marlin's destiny is to feed the old man and the sharks, but also to give Santiago a moment of transcendence.

The Skeleton

The Skeleton A Ghost of Glory After the sharks eat the flesh, only the skeleton remains. It is eighteen feet long, with a beautiful tail. It is lashed to the skiff, a monument to the battle. The tourists mistake it for a shark. The Cycle of Life The skeleton is taken by the tide, becoming garbage. But it has served its purpose. The marlin's death provided food for the community, the sharks, and the sea. It is part of the eternal cycle. Its destiny is to be a symbol of Santiago's triumph and loss.

before the hooking

the three days

after the shark attacks