When judging wisdom, one should not look at their wrinkled faces but rather at the actions and words that they exhibit instead. Santiago is an intriguing character who, before his exhibition, appears to have a natural curiosity about life and the world around him. Santiago is a simple shepherd with a dream of finding treasure in Egypt, a faraway land where he has never been. Santiago gains wisdom and knowledge from his various experiences as he travels through the world on his journey. During his journey, he meets King Melchizedek as well as the alchemist and the camel driver. Santiago receives assistance from all three of these individuals in realizing his lifes purpose and figuring out how he can get to the treasure and fulfill his legend. It was Socrates who said it best, the only true wisdom was knowing that you know nothing.
King Melchizedek is an excellent example of a novel character who has a significant impact on the pl
ot. At that point, King Melchizedek informs Santiago of the greatest lie in the world: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of whats happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. In this way, Santiago is encouraged because it allows him to be the sculptor of his own life rather than relying solely on a higher power to control all aspects of his life. Santiago also receives information from King Melchizedek, who advises him to look for the treasure near the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and to follow the omens and signs to locate it. Santiago is greatly encouraged by this because the Romani woman is the only other person who is aware of the treasures existence aside from him. He believes she is pulling some sort of prank on him, but when he sees the kings jewels, he realizes that he is not with her after all. Later, he asks him for a tenth of his sheep, and Santiago departs for Tangiers with the sheep.