Where Are Kratos’ Wings? The Fate of the Icarus Wings Explained

The short answer is: Kratos no longer possesses the Wings of Icarus. While he acquired them in God of War II after a brutal encounter with Icarus, these wings were ultimately destroyed along with most of his other godly possessions when Zeus stripped him of his powers at the beginning of God of War III. The wings, like many of Kratos’ abilities and tools from his past, are a relic of a bygone era, symbolic of his rage-fueled quest for vengeance against the Greek pantheon. They represent a chapter of his life he has largely left behind, although the scars of that past – both literal and metaphorical – continue to haunt him.

The Acquisition and Demise of the Wings of Icarus

Battling Icarus for the Wings

In God of War II, Kratos finds himself in the depths of Atlas’s prison, searching for the Sisters of Fate to alter his destiny and prevent his demise at the hands of Zeus. His path leads him to a confrontation with Icarus, a character deeply rooted in Greek mythology’s tale of hubris and tragic flight. During a chaotic mid-air battle, Kratos overpowers Icarus, ripping the wings from his back and claiming them as his own. This moment is a brutal display of Kratos’ relentless ambition and willingness to take what he needs, regardless of the cost.

Destruction at the Hands of Zeus

The Icarus Wings provide Kratos with the ability to glide and reach previously inaccessible areas, becoming a crucial part of his traversal arsenal in God of War II. However, this power is short-lived. At the start of God of War III, Zeus ambushes Kratos, draining him of his godly powers and weaponry. Among the casualties of this devastating attack were the Wings of Icarus. This loss is not merely about gameplay mechanics; it signifies Kratos‘ complete and utter vulnerability at the beginning of the game. Stripped bare, he must once again claw his way back to power, fueled by his insatiable desire for revenge. Only the Blades of Exile, the Blade of Olympus, and the Boots of Hermes survived the opening onslaught.

Symbolic Significance and Kratos’ Evolution

The absence of the Icarus Wings in later God of War games (particularly the Norse saga) is significant on several levels.

• Moving Beyond the Past: The Norse games are fundamentally about Kratos‘ attempts to move on from his violent past. Retaining the wings would serve as a constant reminder of that era, hindering his efforts to forge a new identity and become a better father to Atreus. The loss of the wings represents a deliberate severing of ties with his old life.

• New Forms of Traversal: The Norse realms offer different environmental challenges, and thus different means of traversal are required. Kratos gains new abilities and tools suited to the Norse landscape, rendering the Wings of Icarus largely irrelevant.

• Focus on Grounded Combat: The combat in the Norse God of War games is more grounded and tactical than the aerial acrobatics of the earlier titles. Retaining the wings would potentially detract from this shift in focus.

Kratos’ Physical and Emotional Scars

The text mentions that Kratos kept only the Chaos Blades hidden beneath the floorboards, emphasizing their unique connection to him, both physical and emotional. This hints at the complex relationship Kratos has with his past. While he may try to suppress or deny it, it is an integral part of who he is.

The Chaos Blades are not simply weapons; they are physical manifestations of his guilt, rage, and the blood he has spilled. Keeping them hidden suggests a desire to control or contain these destructive emotions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kratos and His Wings

1. What were the Wings of Icarus used for in God of War II?

The Wings of Icarus allowed Kratos to glide across large gaps and reach otherwise inaccessible areas. They were a crucial part of his traversal abilities, enabling him to navigate the game’s complex environments.

2. How did Kratos obtain the Wings of Icarus?

Kratos violently acquired the Wings of Icarus by ripping them from Icarus during a mid-air battle within the prison of Atlas in God of War II.

3. Why doesn’t Kratos use the Wings of Icarus in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök?

The Wings of Icarus were destroyed at the beginning of God of War III when Zeus stripped Kratos of his powers. Furthermore, the Norse games focus on a different style of combat and traversal, making the wings redundant.

4. What happened to Icarus after Kratos ripped off his wings?

After Kratos ripped off his wings, Icarus plummeted into the depths of the Underworld, presumably to his death.

5. Did Kratos kill all the Greek gods?

No, Kratos did not kill all the Greek gods. The provided text states that around 11 gods survived his rampage. While he eliminated many prominent figures like Zeus, Ares, and Poseidon, some lesser gods or those who remained hidden survived the events of the Greek saga.

6. Is Kratos immortal?

Kratos possesses a form of immortality due to his divine heritage and the curse placed upon him. He is incredibly resilient and difficult to kill, having survived numerous near-death experiences, including suicide.

7. Who was Icarus in Greek mythology?

Icarus was the son of the craftsman Daedalus. He is famous for his tragic flight from Crete, where he ignored his father’s warning and flew too close to the sun, causing the wax holding his wings together to melt. He then fell into the sea and drowned.

8. How did Kratos end up in the Norse realms?

The specifics of Kratos‘ journey from Greece to the Norse realms are not explicitly detailed in the games. It is implied that he simply wandered until he reached a new territory. The different mythologies are suggested to exist on the same plane, just in different regions.

9. What are the Chaos Blades, and why are they so important to Kratos?

The Chaos Blades are twin blades chained to Kratos‘ arms. They are a constant reminder of his past actions and his servitude to Ares. They represent his rage, guilt, and the violence he has committed. Despite his attempts to leave them behind, they are inextricably linked to his identity.

10. What is the scar on Kratos’ stomach from?

The scar on Kratos‘ stomach is self-inflicted. He impaled himself with the Blade of Olympus to release the power of hope to humanity, defying Athena‘s wishes.

11. How many people has Kratos killed?

The exact number of Kratos‘ victims is astronomical. He has killed at least 23 major gods and figures from Greek mythology, and countless soldiers and monsters.

12. Is Kratos a god or a demigod?

Kratos is a demigod. His mother was mortal, and his father was Zeus, the king of the gods. He became the God of War after killing Ares, but was later stripped of his godhood.

13. What is the significance of Atreus’ scars?

The exact origin of Atreus‘ scars is not explicitly stated. Theories suggest they could be related to a genetic birthmark from Deimos, Kratos‘ brother, or self-inflicted wounds from a young Atreus trying to emulate his father.

14. What is the Games Learning Society?

The Games Learning Society is a group of people interested in the educational benefits of games. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

15. Why was Christopher Judge chosen to replace T.C. Carson as the voice of Kratos?

Christopher Judge was chosen to replace T.C. Carson as the voice and motion capture actor for Kratos in God of War (2018) due to his greater height, which was more suitable for motion capture, and his strong chemistry with Sunny Suljic, who plays Atreus.

Ultimately, the fate of the Wings of Icarus is inextricably linked to Kratos‘ personal journey. Their loss signifies his attempts to break free from his past and forge a new future, albeit one still burdened by the consequences of his previous actions. The Wings, like many of his powers and possessions, are a symbol of a man trying to escape his own history.