Delving into the Ages of Atreus and Angrboda in God of War Ragnarök
The ages of Atreus and Angrboda in God of War Ragnarök are a point of much discussion and interest among fans. Atreus is approximately 14 years old during the events of Ragnarök. Angrboda’s age is never explicitly stated, but she appears to be around the same age as Atreus, give or take a year or two. This makes her likely somewhere between 14 and 16 years old. Her slightly more mature appearance is attributed to the fact that girls often mature faster than boys during that age range. Let’s dive deeper into the complexities surrounding their ages and the significance of their relationship within the narrative.
Unraveling Atreus’s Age
Atreus’s Confirmed Age
The official God of War novel confirms Atreus’s age as 11 years old during the events of the 2018 game. The time between the end of God of War (2018) and the start of God of War Ragnarök is marked by Fimbulwinter, a three-year-long winter that precedes Ragnarök. Therefore, by the time Ragnarök unfolds, Atreus is approximately 14 years old. This age is crucial because it signifies a period of significant growth and transition for the character. He is no longer the child he once was but is now a teenager grappling with his identity, his powers, and his role in the prophesied events.
The Significance of Atreus’s Teen Years
Atreus’s teenage years are central to his development in Ragnarök. He is at an age where he starts questioning authority, including Kratos’s decisions. He begins to forge his own path, driven by his curiosity and his desire to understand his true nature as Loki. This rebellious streak, typical of teenagers, puts him at odds with Kratos at times, creating conflict but also forcing Kratos to re-evaluate his parenting and his approach to guiding Atreus.
Decoding Angrboda’s Age
The Mystery Surrounding Angrboda
Unlike Atreus, Angrboda’s exact age is never revealed. Players and theorists have pieced together clues to estimate her age based on her physical appearance, her maturity level, and her interactions with Atreus. The consensus is that she’s likely close to Atreus’s age, around 14 to 16 years old. Her more mature demeanor and understanding of her destiny contribute to the perception that she might be slightly older, but this is primarily due to her role as a seer and her Jotnar heritage.
Angrboda’s Role and Maturity
Angrboda plays a significant role in guiding Atreus toward embracing his identity as Loki. She possesses knowledge of prophecies and her own fate, making her seem wiser beyond her years. This wisdom and her connection to the Jotnar heritage contribute to the perception of her being slightly older than Atreus. However, it’s important to note that maturity doesn’t always equate to age, and her experiences have likely shaped her perspective. The developers at Santa Monica Studio likely chose to leave her exact age ambiguous to allow for interpretation and to maintain an air of mystique around the character.
Love Interest
The article also says that Angrboda is Atreus’ love interest, and he is developing romantic feelings for her.
Relationship Dynamics and Age
The Importance of Age Proximity
The proximity in age between Atreus and Angrboda is crucial to their relationship. They connect on a deeper level because they are both navigating the complexities of adolescence while also grappling with their unique destinies. Their shared experiences and mutual understanding allow them to form a bond that transcends their individual journeys. This close age also makes their romantic connection feel more organic and relatable to players.
The Mirror to Norse Mythology
Their relationship mirrors that of Loki and Angrboda in Norse mythology, where they are depicted as lovers who produce three significant offspring: Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel. God of War Ragnarök reinterprets this relationship in a way that is both respectful to the mythology and sensitive to the characters’ ages. While they don’t literally give birth to these creatures, their actions and decisions symbolically fulfill the prophecies, creating a compelling narrative that blends mythology with character-driven storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Atreus and Angrboda’s ages and relationship, with answers crafted to provide additional valuable information:
1. How old is Atreus at the end of God of War Ragnarök?
At the end of God of War Ragnarök, Atreus is still approximately 14 years old. The game’s events occur within a relatively short timeframe, so his age doesn’t significantly change.
2. Why is Angrboda’s age not specified?
Angrboda’s age being unspecified adds to her mystique as a Jotnar with prophetic abilities. It also allows for greater interpretation of her character and her relationship with Atreus.
3. Is Angrboda older than Atreus?
She appears to be around the same age as Atreus, who is thought to be around 14 or 15 years old, or very near to that age. She’s a touch bigger and seems a bit more mature than Kratos’ son, but girls mature faster than boys at that age, so she’d still be around the same age as Atreus.
4. Are Atreus and Angrboda dating?
While their relationship is not explicitly defined as “dating,” they develop strong romantic feelings for each other throughout the game. Their connection mirrors the mythological relationship between Loki and Angrboda.
5. Does Atreus marry Angrboda in the game?
The game does not show them getting married. The game focuses on their growing relationship and their roles in the larger narrative, rather than a formal marriage.
6. How long is Atreus with Angrboda during the game?
Atreus spends roughly an hour escaping from the bigger stakes and bigger battles in the giant wilderness. It takes place about ten hours into the game.
7. How tall is Angrboda?
According to some sources, Angrboda is blue, like thirteen feet tall. However, the article also suggests that is only really spoken of in passing.
8. Who is Angrboda in Norse mythology?
In Norse mythology, Angrboda is a Jötunn (giantess) who is the mate of Loki and the mother of Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel.
9. Why does Angrboda call Atreus “Loki”?
Angrboda knows Atreus’s true identity as Loki and understands his destiny. She calls him “Loki” as a way of acknowledging his true self and preparing him for his role in the events to come.
10. Do Atreus and Angrboda have children in God of War Ragnarök?
They do not have children in the literal sense. However, their actions and decisions symbolically lead to the birth of Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel, fulfilling their mythological roles. These examples thus make Atreus and Angrboda a case of metaphorical/symbolic parents to Jormungandr and Fenrir rather than literally – a really clever workaround of the myth I thought.
11. Is Angrboda evil?
While some tales depict Angrboda as evil, God of War Ragnarök presents her as a complex character with her own motivations and a deep connection to the Jotnar heritage. She is not portrayed as inherently evil.
12. How does Atreus feel about Angrboda?
As Atreus and Angrboda spend time together, it appears that Atreus begins to grow quite fond of her and is beginning to develop romantic feelings.
13. Who is Atreus’s wife?
Atreus subsequently married Pelopia, and she afterward bore Aegisthus. Atreus believed this child to be his own, but Aegisthus was in fact the son of Thyestes.
14. How does the game handle the age difference between Loki and Angrboda in the myths?
The game reinterprets the relationship to be more age-appropriate and focuses on the emotional connection and shared destiny rather than the literal offspring from the mythology.
15. What impact does their relationship have on the overall story?
Their relationship is a key component of Atreus’s character development and his journey to embrace his identity as Loki. It also plays a crucial role in fulfilling the prophecies and shaping the events of Ragnarök.
The ages of Atreus and Angrboda in God of War Ragnarök are not just numbers; they are integral to understanding their characters, their relationship, and their roles in the overarching narrative. The developers at Santa Monica Studio have crafted a compelling and nuanced portrayal of these characters, making their ages and their connection all the more meaningful. This exemplifies the importance of games for learning and education, as explored by organizations like the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org.