Kratos’s Ascension: Unpacking the Ghost of Sparta’s Return to Godhood
Kratos’s journey from a Spartan warrior to a God, back to a mortal, and finally back to a God again, is a complex tapestry woven with revenge, loss, and ultimately, redemption. The question of how Kratos became a full god again isn’t a straightforward one, and the answer lies in a culmination of factors that span his tumultuous history. While the exact mechanism isn’t explicitly detailed, it’s heavily implied that Kratos reclaims his godly status by absorbing the power of the gods he vanquishes, specifically through wielding the Blade of Olympus and later through his inherent divine nature. He didn’t “earn” his godhood a second time, it was his birthright and a power that he re-accessed. The act of impaling himself with the Blade of Olympus at the end of God of War III, while initially intending to release the power, seemingly acts as a catalyst for reawakening his latent godhood. This, combined with his demigod heritage as the son of Zeus, ensures his godhood wasn’t permanently extinguished, merely dormant. His subsequent actions and the narrative of the Norse games further support this, establishing him as a being of immense power, far beyond any mortal.
Kratos’s Initial Rise to Godhood
From Spartan Warrior to God of War
Kratos’s story begins as a highly skilled Spartan general, consumed by his thirst for victory. In a moment of desperation, he pledges himself to the Greek god of war, Ares, receiving immense power in exchange for servitude. Ares’s deceit, however, leads Kratos to kill his own family. This horrific act fuels his thirst for vengeance and sets him on a path to kill Ares. When he succeeds, Kratos becomes the new God of War, inheriting Ares’s mantle and godlike powers. This initial ascension is purely a result of his victory over Ares, transferring the godly title and power.
The Fall and Diminishment
After years of serving the Olympians, Kratos becomes disillusioned and resentful. The Gods manipulate and betray him, leading to a series of escalating conflicts that culminated in his final confrontation with Zeus. In God of War III, Kratos destroys Mount Olympus, seemingly ending the reign of the Greek Gods. At this point, Kratos attempts to end his own life by impaling himself with the Blade of Olympus, hoping to release its power to the world. However, the attempt fails to kill him, and it seemingly does something else, which ties into his return to godhood later. While this act doesn’t fully strip him of all his godly essence, it does leave him in a weakened and diminished state. He’s no longer overtly “the God of War”.
The Reclaiming of Godhood
The Lingering Divine Spark
Kratos is a demigod, the son of Zeus. This inherent divinity never truly leaves him. Even in his weakened state, he is far stronger and more resilient than any mortal. He’s simply not actively wielding godly power in the same way he once did. This underlying god-like essence, combined with his absorption of powers during his Greek saga, forms the basis for his eventual return to godhood.
The Blade of Olympus: A Catalyst for Power
Many theorize that his self-inflicted wound with the Blade of Olympus is a turning point. Although he intended to release its power, the act may have inadvertently reawakened his dormant divinity. It was the last time he’d physically used the blade, and it’s the last time we see him attempt to completely rid himself of divine influence. The blade, steeped in godly energy, could have served as a conduit, channeling his inherent power and triggering his transformation. This theory is bolstered by the fact that we later see him utilizing god-like feats of strength and ability that seem to stem from something more than a simple demigod.
Absorption of Godly Power
Throughout the Greek saga, Kratos has a history of absorbing power by defeating Gods. He kills Hades and absorbs his soul, effectively adding his power to his own. While he didn’t actively seek godhood a second time, the accumulation of this power, alongside his inherent divinity, naturally pushes him towards full godhood once more. This is important to note, as the absorption of godly energy, in Kratos’s case, leads to his godlike abilities.
The Confirmed God Status
In the later God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, Kratos is unequivocally depicted as a God. This was confirmed by Cory Barlog himself, although the specifics of how his powers fully returned were not explicitly stated. He is not just a demigod with enhanced abilities; he wields the power of a full god, demonstrated through his superhuman strength, durability, and ability to use elemental attacks. It’s not a transformation, it’s a re-emergence.
Kratos: God of War, Forged by Fate
In conclusion, Kratos’s return to godhood is not a single event but a gradual process involving his inherent divinity, the absorption of godly powers, and the influence of the Blade of Olympus. While the games do not explicitly spell out a specific moment of transformation, the culmination of these factors explains his renewed status as a full god. The Ghost of Sparta’s journey is a testament to his resilience and his inescapable fate as a being of immense power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Kratos always meant to be a god?
Kratos was a demigod by birth, being the son of Zeus. His initial rise to godhood was as the God of War by defeating Ares. His path was always intertwined with divinity.
2. Did Kratos lose all his god powers when he destroyed Olympus?
While Kratos was significantly weakened after destroying Olympus and attempting suicide, his inherent divine nature as a demigod remained. He lost his status as the God of War title, but his godly potential wasn’t entirely extinguished.
3. How does Kratos’s demigod status play into his return to godhood?
Kratos’s demigod status is crucial. It ensures that he has a baseline of divine power and that his godhood can be reawakened. It’s the spark that allows the latent potential to resurface.
4. What is the role of the Blade of Olympus in Kratos’s transformation?
The Blade of Olympus is believed to be a catalyst for reawakening Kratos’s godhood. While he intended to release its power, it may have inadvertently triggered the re-emergence of his latent divinity.
5. Does Kratos absorb powers from the gods he kills?
Yes, Kratos has a history of absorbing the powers of the gods he defeats. This contributes to his immense strength and capabilities.
6. Is Kratos immortal?
Kratos is not immortal in the traditional sense. He ages, though at a significantly slower rate than a mortal. He is very difficult to kill, making him functionally immortal.
7. How many times has Kratos died and come back to life?
Kratos has died and been revived at least three times throughout the original trilogy. This highlights his exceptional durability.
8. Did Kratos regret killing the Greek gods?
Yes, Kratos expresses deep regret for his actions in the Greek saga. He is seeking redemption for the violence he committed.
9. How old is Kratos in the Norse Saga?
Based on estimates from the Greek saga, and his time between the events of the two, Kratos is likely over 1,000 years old in the Norse saga.
10. Has Kratos truly changed in the Norse Games?
Yes, Kratos shows significant character growth in the Norse saga. He is more contemplative, protective, and focused on breaking the cycle of violence, mainly due to his son, Atreus.
11. Does Kratos have all of the powers he did in the Greek Saga?
No, Kratos lost his Greek magic when he left his homeland. He still has immense power, but his abilities have evolved, reflecting the Norse setting and focusing on different elemental powers.
12. Why doesn’t Kratos use lightning powers anymore?
Kratos doesn’t have lightning powers because it was traditionally Zeus’s symbol and domain. Kratos is the god of strength and war, not lightning. Each god is unique in their nature and their powers reflect that.
13. Is Atreus a god?
Atreus is part god (from Kratos) and part giant (from his mother, Faye). He is later revealed to have the name Loki, a major figure in Norse mythology.
14. Is Atreus as strong as Kratos?
Atreus is still young and learning to control his powers. While his potential is high, he is not yet as strong as Kratos. However, the game hints at a future where he might surpass his father in strength.
15. What is Kratos’s fate?
Instead of the originally foreseen path of death at the hands of Thor, Kratos chooses a path of redemption and peace. His journey emphasizes free will and the ability to change one’s destiny.