The Heart's Life Lessons

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Recommended: Santiago's character in the alchemist

The Heart’s Life Lessons
In the Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, the main character Santiago is just a plain shepherd boy. He is content with roaming the plains of Africa leading his flock and seeing the world around him. He believed his goal in life was to see as much as he could see while tending his flock. Though, affected by other characters, his journey to see the world is forever changed. Santiago turns from leading his flock to following his heart across the terrain of Africa to complete his Personal Legend. Melchizedek, the crystal merchant, and the alchemist play the role of urging Santiago on and keep him from faltering off his path. They advise him in ways he understands as he progresses towards the pyramids of Egypt and better attunes himself with his heart.
The first character who starts Santiago on the journey of completing his Personal Legend is Melchizedek, the King of Salem. Melchizedek approaches Santiago in a small town that Santiago wanders into to sell some of the wool from his sheep. Melchizedek sits down next to Santiago and begins to tell him many things that only a friend could know. Surprised, Santiago listens to what the king has to say to him. He also presents two stones from his golden breast plate to Santiago, these stones are called Urim and Thummim. After Santiago takes he stones, the king teaches him about the surrounding omens of the world and how to distinguish and understand them. Santiago first hears of the Soul of the World from Melchizedek. “When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.” Once Santiago gives his sheep to the king, he is on his way to Egypt to continue his journey.
Though not as prestigious as the king of Salem, the crystal merchant at the top of t...

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...rson who is fully attuned with his heart and his willing to do anything to achieve his Legend. Essentially, Santiago is a combination of the best qualities of Melchizedek, the crystal merchant, and the alchemist. That which he learned from each character is applied and the fog clears between Santiago and his heart. He is able to understand its messages and is guided to the end of his long journey across Africa. Santiago thought his sheep taught him what he needed to know about the world around him, yet what really taught him of the world was with him the entire time. Santiago just needed to wander through the fog and reveal the ways of his heart to himself. This is what truly sets Santiago apart from the rest of the characters. His heart’s intentions were what Santiago strived to achieve in reality. Santiago took his dreams and molded them into his own reality.

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