Love and Sacrifice

Romantic love often requires great personal risk or sacrifice, such as Gjermund and Sigrid's forbidden love, the suitors risking death for the cormorant girl's ring, and Jack's perilous journey for Seimke.

Sigrid's willingness to wait for Gjermund despite his poverty and her parents' disapproval, and Gjermund's decision to sell his horse to improve his prospects, demonstrate love and sacrifice.

The third suitor risks his life to retrieve the ring for love, and the girl sacrifices her human form to be with him for a single day.