The Fall of the Invincible: How Baldur Lost His Immortality

Baldur, the seemingly unkillable god of light in Norse mythology, met his demise through a confluence of fate, trickery, and a single, unassuming plant: mistletoe. His mother, Frigg, sought to protect him from a prophecy foretelling his death by extracting oaths from everything on Earth never to harm him. However, she overlooked the mistletoe, deeming it too insignificant. This oversight, combined with Loki’s malicious manipulation and Atreus’s unwitting involvement in the God of War adaptation, ultimately led to Baldur’s vulnerability and subsequent death.

The Norse Myth and Baldur’s Vulnerability

Frigg’s Oaths and the Fatal Oversight

The traditional Norse myth paints a picture of a loving mother, Frigg, desperately trying to shield her son, Baldur, from a looming prophecy of his demise. Driven by fear, she traveled the world extracting promises from every being and object – stone, metal, fire, water, beasts, and birds – never to cause Baldur harm. This seemingly impenetrable protection made Baldur the subject of sport among the gods, who gleefully threw objects at him, knowing he was invulnerable.

However, Frigg neglected to secure an oath from the mistletoe. In some accounts, she considered it too young and harmless to pose a threat; in others, she simply forgot it. This oversight, however trivial it seemed, created a chink in Baldur’s armor.

Loki’s Deception and Höd’s Blindness

The trickster god, Loki, ever the agent of chaos, discovered Frigg’s oversight and seized the opportunity. He crafted a dart or arrow from mistletoe and approached Höd, Baldur’s blind brother. Exploiting Höd’s inability to participate in the games of hurling objects at Baldur, Loki persuaded him to throw the mistletoe dart, guiding his aim. The mistletoe, being the only thing capable of harming Baldur, pierced him fatally, fulfilling the prophecy and plunging the world into grief. This act, though committed by Höd, was orchestrated by Loki, making him ultimately responsible for Baldur’s death in the original mythos.

God of War (2018) and a Modern Interpretation

Freya’s Curse and Sensory Deprivation

In the God of War (2018) video game, Baldur’s invulnerability stems from a curse placed upon him by his mother, Freya, a powerful Vanir goddess. Driven by a similar prophecy predicting Baldur’s death, Freya made him impervious to all physical harm and disease. However, this protection came at a terrible cost: it robbed Baldur of all sensation. He could not feel pain, pleasure, heat, cold, or any other physical sensation. This sensory deprivation drove him to the brink of madness, fueling his resentment towards Freya and his desire to break the curse.

Mistletoe and the Transfer of Vulnerability

The God of War adaptation introduces a crucial twist to the traditional myth. While mistletoe remains the key to breaking Baldur’s invulnerability, its application is significantly different. During a confrontation with Kratos and Atreus, Atreus, who is unknowingly Loki, uses a mistletoe arrowhead in self-defense, piercing Baldur’s hand.

This act doesn’t directly kill Baldur, but rather breaks Freya’s curse. The mistletoe acts as a conduit, transferring the vulnerability associated with the prophecy from Baldur to Atreus. With the curse lifted, Baldur regains his ability to feel, experiencing a rush of sensations he had long forgotten. He revels in the pain and pleasure, declaring he’s never felt “more alive.”

The Final Confrontation and Kratos’ Choice

The newly vulnerable Baldur, now driven by a desire for revenge against Freya and fueled by years of pent-up frustration, continues his pursuit of Kratos and Atreus. The final confrontation culminates in a brutal battle where Kratos ultimately defeats Baldur. Despite Freya’s desperate pleas to spare her son’s life, Kratos makes the difficult decision to kill Baldur, preventing him from killing Freya and breaking the cycle of vengeance.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Baldur’s Immortality

Here are some frequently asked questions about Baldur and his invulnerability:

1. What exactly was Baldur the god of? Baldur is primarily known as the god of light, beauty, innocence, and joy. He is often depicted as radiant and beloved by all.

2. Why did Freya curse Baldur in God of War? Freya cursed Baldur because she foresaw his death in a prophecy and desperately sought to protect him from it. Her love for her son drove her to take extreme measures, even at the cost of his happiness.

3. Was Baldur truly immortal before the mistletoe? In the traditional Norse myth, Baldur was not immortal in the strictest sense. Frigg’s oaths made him invulnerable to almost all threats, but he was still susceptible to harm from mistletoe. In God of War, the curse gave him near-immortality, preventing any harm or disease from affecting him.

4. Why didn’t Freya just remove the curse herself in God of War? The game implies Freya could not remove the curse due to its nature. Mimir states, “No being may she harm by blade nor spell.” Since the spell could only be broken by a cut or incision, technically “harm”, Freya was unable to free her son from it.

5. Did Baldur know he was cursed in God of War? Yes, Baldur was fully aware of the curse and deeply resented Freya for it. He suffered immensely from the sensory deprivation it caused.

6. How powerful was Baldur compared to other gods in God of War? Baldur possessed immense strength and speed, rivaling that of Kratos. His invulnerability made him an incredibly formidable opponent.

7. Is mistletoe always associated with death and vulnerability in Norse mythology? Yes, mistletoe is uniquely tied to Baldur’s death and highlights the idea that even the smallest, most insignificant thing can have devastating consequences.

8. What is the significance of Atreus/Loki’s involvement in Baldur’s death in God of War? Atreus’s unwitting involvement highlights the complex themes of fate and free will in the game. It emphasizes that even unintentional actions can have profound and devastating consequences. Since Loki causes Baldur to be slain, since Loki is revealed to be what the giants call Atreus.

9. Did Baldur know Kratos was a god before their confrontation in God of War? No, Baldur did not know Kratos was a god until Kratos revealed it to him during their fight. Balder did NOT know he was a god till he told him, the entire time he believed Kratos to be the giant that they we’re seeking hence in the first time they meet he says “i thought you’d be bigger”.

10. What were Baldur’s last words and their significance? Baldur’s final word, “snow”, is particularly poignant. Baldur’s final word, “snow”, might have a dual meaning. It can either mean that Baldur has one last happiness by feeling the snow once more or that Baldur is happy to know that, despise his death, Kratos, Atreus and Freya will all suffer during Ragnarok.

11. How does Baldur’s death impact the events of God of War? Baldur’s death serves as a catalyst for the events of Ragnarok, the Norse apocalypse. It also creates a deep rift between Kratos and Freya, setting the stage for future conflicts.

12. Is Baldur a sympathetic character in God of War? Baldur is a complex and morally ambiguous character. His suffering and resentment evoke a degree of sympathy, but his violent actions and obsessive pursuit of revenge make him a difficult character to fully endorse.

13. How does the God of War version of Baldur’s story differ from the original Norse myth? The God of War version adds layers of complexity to Baldur’s character and his relationship with Freya. It also shifts the focus from Loki’s direct manipulation to the consequences of Freya’s well-intentioned but ultimately misguided actions. The game’s version also makes Atreus partially responsible for Baldur losing his invincibility.

14. What role does fate play in Baldur’s death in both the myth and the game? In both versions, fate plays a significant role. The prophecy of Baldur’s death looms large, and the characters struggle against its inevitability. However, both also suggest that choices and actions can influence the way fate unfolds.

15. Where can I learn more about Norse mythology and its influence on games? Explore resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to understand the educational aspects of gaming and how it intertwines with mythology and storytelling. You can delve into academic research on how Norse myths have shaped video game narratives and player engagement.

In conclusion, Baldur’s loss of immortality is a tragic tale rooted in prophecy, love, and the unintended consequences of desperate measures. Whether through Loki’s trickery in the original myth or Freya’s curse in God of War, the story of Baldur serves as a potent reminder of the fragility of even the most seemingly invincible beings. It underscores the complexities of fate, free will, and the enduring power of mythology to captivate and resonate with audiences across generations.