Is Ulfric good or bad?
As Jarl of Windhelm and leader of the Stormcloak rebellion against the Empire, Ulfric Stormcloak is one of the most divisive figures in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Around half of Skyrim supports the Stormcloak cause, while the other half fights for the Imperial Legion. Delving into Ulfric‘s background, motivations, and methods reveals a multi-layered debate with strong arguments on both sides.
Ulfric Stormcloak‘s Background and Motivations
Ulfric first earned fame across Skyrim when he used the power of the Thu‘um, or Voice, to reclaim the Reach from the Forsworn who had overrun Markarth. This deed earned him the nickname "The Bear of Markarth." The Thalmor captured Ulfric during the Great War against the Aldmeri Dominion where he endured torture, leaving him with a bitter hatred of the elven faction.
As Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric leads the Stormcloak rebellion against what he sees as the corrupt and illegitimate Empire that has banned Talos worship due to the White-Gold Concordat treaty signed with the Thalmor after the Great War. The White-Gold Concordat forms a major justification for the Stormcloak rebellion in Ulfric‘s mind – he wants to uphold Nord traditions and culture by keeping Talos worship legal, which the treaty outlawed.
Arguments Supporting Ulfric
He fights for religious freedom against Thalmor oppression. Banning Talos worship restricts a core part of Nord culture and identity. Many Nords, especially traditionalists, rally behind Ulfric as a champion restoring their sacred religious rights.
He embodies the Nord spirit of independence. Skyrim has a long history of resisting foreign rule and valuing self-determination. As High King Torygg‘s court Thane Igmund says, "Was his cause just? That‘s the part I can‘t decide. I suppose he thought so. But then so did we all."
He is democratically supported by much of Skyrim. Roughly half of Skyrim supports and fights for Ulfric‘s rebellion. He has mobilized mass support through shared anger over banned Talos worship and desire for independence.
He upholds ancient Nord traditions. Ulfric studies with the Greybeards to master the Thu‘um and respects the old Nord customs regarding rulership duels. Even his enemy Brunwulf Free-Winter acknowledges, "Ulfric cares about Skyrim‘s past….he knows more of it than I do, I‘ll give him that."
Arguments Against Ulfric
He plunged Skyrim into a destructive civil war. The civil war under Ulfric has created chaos across Skyrim, leaving cities vulnerable to attack, pitting neighbors against each other, diverting Legion forces, and overall weakening Skyrim‘s capacity to resist the Thalmor.
He is short-sighted about the bigger threat of the Aldmeri Dominion. Ulfric‘s rebellion distracts from uniting against the existential threat of elven supremacy that seeks to ultimately conquer all human kingdoms. A unified Empire stands a better chance against the Aldmeri Dominion‘s agenda of elven racial superiority.
He used dishonorable means to kill High King Torygg. Ulfric killed Torygg to spark his rebellion and claim authority as the next king. But he won the duel by shouting Torygg to pieces, which many consider inappropriate overkill for a formal honor duel.
He allows racism against elves and foreigners in Windhelm. Non-Nords in Windhelm are segregated and harassed. Some Nords generalize their resentment of the Thalmor elves who banned Talos worship into racism against local Dunmer and Argonian minorities. This echoes Ulfric‘s language about outsiders threatening Nord jobs and culture.
Evaluating Ulfric‘s Leadership
Aspects of Ulfric‘s character reflect both wisdom and rashness. He upholds ancient Nord customs that resonate with his people‘s identity, but also makes extreme decisions in pursuit of power, glory, and revenge. If Ulfric‘s rebellion succeeds, would he rule effectively in Skyrim‘s best interests?
In Ulfric‘s Favor
- Trained extensively as a leader and warrior
- Inspires passionate loyalty among his troops
- Deep knowledge of Nord traditions and history
Against Ulfric
- Intolerance and suspicion of outsiders
- Potentially self-serving hunger for fame, crown
- Inclination for dramatic unilateral actions
Conclusion: A Flawed But Principled Leader
Ulfric Stormcloak provokes fierce debate – within Skyrim, among fans, and even within my own mind analyzing him. His boldness marks both his aspirations for his homeland, and his vulnerabilities when ambition blinds wisdom. Ulfric follows his principles – but we must ask, are his principles in Skyrim‘s best interests at this chaotic crossroads in history? Reasonable people can honorably disagree.
Regardless of one‘s perspective on the Stormcloak rebellion, Ulfric‘s complex portrayal represents outstanding writing and worldbuilding. We see far beyond simplistic hero and villain tropes into the nuanced chaos of civil war rebuilt with care and depth. Understanding Ulfric‘s perspective makes one tempted to shout "Skyrim belongs to the Nords!" But concerns for the greater good must temper reactive patriotism. In this freedom lies one of Skyrim‘s great lessons about leadership in times of crisis.
