Archmage Nemmerle Character Analysis in A Wizard of Earthsea

Archmage Nemmerle is the archmage, or head, of the School on Roke that Ged attends. The ancient man—rumored to be the oldest living person in Earthsea—is almost always accompanied by his prophetic pet raven, a bird from the northern land of Osskil. Nemmerle is an old and powerful man who has the ability to divine things about his students just from looking at them and speaking over them. Nemmerle is deeply wise and extraordinarily powerful, yet he is quiet, withdrawn, and humble. Nemmerle gives his life to help Ged fight off the shadow that Ged unleashes into the world during a duel with Jasper. Ged harbors guilt about having been in a way responsible for Nemmerle’s death—yet Nemmerle willingly uses the last of his ancient powers to help Ged recover from the mortal wounds that the shadow inflicted upon him. Nemmerle’s power comes from his wisdom and selflessness, not from flagrant displays of great magic.

Archmage Nemmerle Character Timeline in A Wizard of Earthsea

The timeline below shows where the character Archmage Nemmerle appears in A Wizard of Earthsea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Knowledge and Patience vs. Power and Pride Theme Icon

The Warder of Roke is known as the Archmage Nemmerle. A very old man who once trained Ogion when Ogion was a young mage, Nemmerle... (full context)

...keeping a “rat” in his cloak. The Lord of O, once a pupil of Archmage Nemmerle, has come to the school for a feast with his bride in tow. Vetch, Ged,... (full context)

...dissipates, the shadow is gone. Ged is unbreathing and covered in bloody, gaping wounds—the Archmage Nemmerle is standing over him. Nemmerle touches Ged with his staff, and Ged gasps for air.... (full context)

...but no spell can cool him down. In another room of the school, the Archmage Nemmerle, his power spent after casting out the shadow, lays dying. The other Masters stand over... (full context)

...Ged. Ged says he wishes he were dead. The Archmage again chides Ged, recalling how Nemmerle gave his life so that Ged could live. All Ged can do now, the new... (full context)

...all who have taught him so far: the Masters of Roke, the Archmages Gensher and Nemmerle, and Ogion, too. He is embarrassed about running away from his shadow yet again. He... (full context)