Kratos: A God’s Dance with Death – How Many Times Has He Defied the Inevitable?
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Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta, is no stranger to death. His journey across Greek and Norse mythology is paved with the corpses of gods, monsters, and mortals alike. But how often has Kratos himself stared into the abyss and emerged, battered but unbroken? The answer is complex, but the most definitive answer is that Kratos has verifiably died and been brought back to life at least three times. However, this answer is not definitive because the amount of times Kratos has cheated death are difficult to ascertain. Each encounter shapes him, fuels his rage, and ultimately, drives him toward his destiny. This article will dissect each instance, exploring the circumstances surrounding his demise and resurrection, and delve into the broader themes of fate, choice, and the enduring spirit of a warrior forever grappling with his past.
Kratos’ Resurrections: A Chronicle of Defiance
The God of War franchise is built upon a foundation of brutal combat and epic storytelling. Kratos’ repeated brushes with death are integral to both, serving as pivotal moments of character development and plot progression. Let’s break down the confirmed instances:
God of War (2005): Impaled by Ares
- The Demise: In the original God of War, Kratos, manipulated and deceived by Ares, unknowingly slays his own wife and daughter. Consumed by grief and driven mad by the god of war, Kratos attempts to break free from Ares’ control. In a cruel display of power, Ares stops him with a large spike that impales Kratos and steals the Box of Pandora, a crucial artifact Kratos needs to defeat Ares. This is arguably Kratos’ first “death” in the series.
- The Resurrection: Kratos’ spirit descends into the Underworld, a horrifying realm filled with the souls of the damned. Driven by an unyielding desire for revenge, Kratos fights his way back to the land of the living. His rage, coupled with a deal made with a mysterious gravedigger (heavily implied to be Cronos), allows him to escape the clutches of Hades and confront Ares. This resurrection is driven by pure, unadulterated vengeance.
God of War II: Stripped of Godhood and Slain by Zeus
- The Demise: God of War II sees Kratos, now the God of War, betrayed by his father, Zeus. Lured from his throne under the pretense of aiding Rhodes, Kratos is weakened by Zeus’ manipulation. Stripped of his godly powers and mortally wounded by the Blade of Olympus, Kratos is killed by Zeus.
- The Resurrection: This time, Kratos is resurrected by Gaia, the Titan. Gaia, seeking to use Kratos as a weapon against the gods of Olympus, pulls him back from the brink of death. This resurrection fuels Kratos with a renewed purpose: to avenge himself against Zeus and bring about the downfall of Olympus.
God of War III: Betrayal in the Underworld
- The Demise: After a long and brutal battle to climb to Olympus, Kratos is trapped in the Underworld and pulled into the River Styx. This strips Kratos of his weapons, magics, and armor. During his time in the Underworld he is betrayed by Pandora who jumps into Pandora’s Box so Kratos can use its power to defeat Zeus. After Kratos’ death, he descends into his own mind to relive the tragedies he faced.
- The Resurrection: This resurrection is different from the prior resurrections. Kratos descends into his own mind, finding resolve and understanding, which helps him defeat the darkness within.
Near-Death Experiences and Other Instances
Beyond these definitive resurrections, Kratos has faced numerous near-death experiences throughout the God of War series. These moments, while not resulting in actual death, contribute to his legend as a warrior who consistently defies fate:
- The Temple of Pandora (God of War): Kratos faces numerous deadly trials within the Temple, surviving traps and challenges that would kill lesser warriors.
- The Labyrinth (God of War II): Navigating the ever-shifting Labyrinth presents countless opportunities for death.
- Battles against gods and titans: Each encounter with a powerful deity or titan carries the risk of annihilation.
- God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök: While Kratos doesn’t explicitly die in these games, he faces numerous perilous situations where his survival is uncertain, including battles against Baldur, Thor, and other formidable foes.
The Significance of Defying Death
Kratos’ ability to repeatedly defy death is more than just a plot device. It speaks to several key themes:
- Resilience: Kratos’ refusal to succumb to death highlights his extraordinary resilience and unwavering will.
- Fate vs. Free Will: Kratos’ journey is a constant struggle against the forces of fate. His resurrections demonstrate his ability to alter his destiny, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. As shown at the end of Ragnarok, Kratos and Atreus defy fate by forging their own path, which was only achieved by Faye destroying the painting that depicted Kratos’ future death.
- The Cycle of Violence: Kratos’ repeated resurrections are often fueled by vengeance, perpetuating a cycle of violence that he ultimately seeks to break.
- Redemption: In the Norse saga, Kratos actively tries to avoid death, not for himself, but for the sake of his son, Atreus. This reflects his desire for redemption and his commitment to creating a better future.
The Future of Kratos: Will Death Claim Him?
The God of War franchise has consistently surprised players with its narrative twists and turns. Whether Kratos will ultimately meet his end remains to be seen. However, his journey so far has proven that even death is not an insurmountable obstacle for the Ghost of Sparta.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How did Kratos avoid his prophesied death in God of War Ragnarok?
In God of War Ragnarök, Kratos avoids a prophesied death not through his godly powers or combat skills, but through the positive influence of Faye and Atreus. This allows him to choose a peaceful path and avoid being killed by Thor.
2. How did Kratos escape death in Ragnarök?
Just before Asgard is destroyed, which would surely kill all of our heroes, Angrboda manages to save Kratos and Atreus (and most of the other surviving heroes) by teleporting them out of harm’s way.
3. How many confirmed kills does Kratos have?
Kratos has killed 23 important figures in Greek mythology. The number of non-gods and nobodies that Kratos has killed is a 15-digit number.
4. Did Kratos and Atreus defy fate?
Yes, at the end of God of War Ragnarök, it is revealed that Faye helped Kratos and Atreus forge their own path. She destroyed the painting in God of War that depicted Kratos’ future death, preventing them from falling into the trap of bringing about fate through attempts to evade it.
5. Did Kratos spare any gods?
Yes, Kratos spared multiple gods, as there are close to a dozen Olympians that managed to survive Kratos’ path of destruction in the Greek saga. In the Norse saga, Kratos spares Thor.
6. Which gods did Kratos kill?
Kratos killed many famous gods, including Poseidon (God of the Sea), Hades (God of the Underworld), Helios (God of the Sun), Hermes (the Messenger God), and Hera.
7. Did Kratos regret killing?
Yes, at the end of 2018’s God of War, Kratos admits to his son Atreus that “I have killed many who were deserving, and many who were not.” Both it and the sequel God of War: Ragnarök see the Ghost of Sparta filled with regret about his past and seeking redemption for it.
8. Is Kratos a full god?
Kratos is eventually revealed to be a demigod and the son of Zeus, who later betrays him. He became a god after Ares’ death, but became a demigod again in God of War II after losing his immortality.
9. Can Kratos lift Mjolnir?
No, Kratos cannot wield Mjölnir. It cannot be wielded or even picked up by Kratos (nor Atreus) for several reasons, which are not definitively explained.
10. Who is stronger, Kratos or Goku?
Deciding the winner between Kratos and Goku would likely come down to whose universe the fight takes place. If Goku came to Kratos’ World, it’s likely that Kratos would find a way to defeat Goku.
11. Which god was not killed by Kratos?
Kratos did not kill Aphrodite, Hestia, Demeter, Artemis, Apollo, Dionysus, Phobos, Circe, Amphitrite, Trton, Nike, Eos, Selene, Eros, Hypnos Morpheus, and Asclepius.
12. Will Kratos go to Egypt?
God of War: Fallen God implies that Kratos travels to Egypt during his exile. He constantly tries to get rid of the Blades of Chaos only for them to return to him.
13. Who is the strongest god Kratos killed?
Zeus, the King of Olympus, God of the Skies, and wielder of thunder, was the only god who gave Kratos a difficult time, which is exemplified by it taking three entire games to finally kill Zeus.
14. Did Kratos become a full god again?
Kratos became a god after Ares’ death, but became a demigod again in God of War II after losing his immortality. His survival in God of War III was likely due to him falling in the River Styx.
15. Why is Kratos killing every god?
In the original God of War, Ares accepted service from Kratos in exchange for destroying his enemies. Kratos was tricked into killing his family. This caused the Spartan to seek vengeance against the god.