Unmasking Odin’s Deception: What Did the Allfather Really Want From Kratos?
In God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok, Odin, the Allfather of Norse mythology, casts a long shadow over Kratos’ life, a constant source of manipulation and intrigue. On the surface, Odin claims to desire peace with Kratos, suggesting they could find it together. However, this is just one layer of a complex and deeply deceptive scheme. What Odin truly wanted from Kratos was a combination of things. Knowledge, power, and the prevention of Ragnarok on his terms were his underlying motivations. He saw Kratos as a tool, a pawn, to be used and discarded in his grand game of control and self-preservation. He wanted Kratos’ cooperation in deciphering the prophecies and using his strength to subvert what he believed was his destiny. This desire for cooperation stems from Odin’s insatiable thirst for knowledge of other realms and an end to Ragnarok. Odin wanted to control Kratos. Odin knew of Kratos’ strength and also knew of his past failures as a god and how he was betrayed in the past.
Delving Deeper: Odin’s True Agenda
Odin’s interest in Kratos wasn’t simply about preventing Ragnarok. It was about maintaining his power and control over the Nine Realms. He viewed the prophecies as a threat to his authority and sought to manipulate them to his advantage. Kratos, with his unique experience as a god from another pantheon and his immense power, became a valuable asset in Odin’s eyes.
Exploiting Kratos’ Strengths
Odin initially tried to manipulate Kratos by appealing to his desire for peace and his protective instincts towards Atreus. He hoped to gain Kratos’ trust and use his strength to fight his battles and secure the knowledge needed to change fate.
Fear and Respect
Odin was both afraid and respectful of Kratos. He knew of Kratos’ destructive power and his ability to kill gods. This fear motivated him to keep Kratos close, hoping to control him rather than face him as an enemy. Odin’s interest in Kratos also had to do with the amount of Havoc and mayhem he caused in Midgard. Odin had Ravens watch Kratos, and he became obsessed with the Ghost of Sparta.
The Manipulation of Atreus
Atreus, or Loki, was the key to Odin’s plans. Odin knew of Atreus’ ability to understand and use Jotnar magic, which was crucial for deciphering the prophecies and accessing hidden realms. Odin was most intrested in Jotnar magic which he saw would help grant infinite knowledge. Odin saw Loki as a way to find mask fragments to protect his face. Odin manipulated Atreus by offering him knowledge and guidance, hoping to turn him into a tool for his own purposes. This manipulation was a central conflict in the God of War storyline, as Kratos fought to protect his son from Odin’s influence.
The Illusion of Peace
Odin’s offer of peace was nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion. He used it to gain Kratos’ trust and manipulate him into revealing information about Atreus’ abilities. In reality, Odin had no intention of sharing power or compromising his control. The offer of peace was a strategy to divide and conquer. Kratos, wary of Odin’s intentions due to Mimir’s warnings and his own past experiences, ultimately rejected this false promise. Kratos cared about Freya, and when Odin threatened her it became clear to Kratos that he would not align himself with Odin.
Why Kratos Refused Odin
The ultimate rejection of Odin by Kratos stems from several factors:
- Mistrust: Kratos had learned from experience that gods were not to be trusted. His history with the Greek pantheon and the warnings from Mimir reinforced his skepticism.
- Protection of Atreus: Kratos prioritized his son’s safety and well-being above all else. He recognized that Odin’s interest in Atreus was exploitative and dangerous.
- Desire for a Different Path: Kratos was determined to forge a new path, free from the cycle of violence and manipulation that had defined his past.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Odin and Kratos
1. Why was Odin so obsessed with the giants and their prophecies?
Odin’s obsession with the giants and their prophecies stemmed from his desire to avoid Ragnarok and maintain his control over the Nine Realms. He believed that by understanding the prophecies, he could manipulate them to his advantage and prevent his own downfall. Odin was obsessed with giants because he was trying to decipher the prophecies and needed information that only the giants held.
2. What did Odin know about Kratos before they met?
Odin knew a great deal about Kratos through his ravens, who spied on Kratos and Atreus’ journey. He knew of Kratos’ past as the God of War in Greece, his immense power, and his ability to kill gods. He also knew that Kratos had killed Baldur, Magni, and Modi, further fueling his fear and respect. Odin’s Ravens spied on Kratos and Atreus while they were on their journey to the top of the mountain.
3. Why did Odin send Baldur to find Kratos in God of War (2018)?
Initially, it appears that Odin sent Baldur to investigate a lone home in the Wildwoods, where Kratos and Atreus lived. While it’s implied Baldur was also tasked to find Kratos for being a god from another land, the primary reason was to find Faye, a giant living in Midgard. Baldur was also trying to understand how to avoid Ragnarok.
4. Was Odin truly evil in God of War?
The God of War series portrays Odin as more evil than good. While the lines between good and evil can be blurred in mythology, Odin’s actions in the game – torture, killing, and slavery – clearly mark him as a villain.
5. Why did Kratos reject Odin’s offer of peace?
Kratos rejected Odin’s offer because he didn’t trust Odin. He feared that Odin would betray him and use him for his own purposes. He also wanted to protect Atreus from Odin’s influence. Kratos trusts Mimir and would not want to make a deal with another God.
6. What was Odin’s primary goal in God of War Ragnarok?
Odin’s primary goal in God of War Ragnarok was to prevent Ragnarok on his own terms, using Atreus’ Jotnar abilities to decipher prophecies and find a way to subvert fate. To find mask fragments and learn more about Jotnar magic.
7. Why did Odin want Atreus so badly?
Odin wanted Atreus because of his Jotnar heritage and his ability to understand and use Jotnar magic. He believed Atreus held the key to unlocking the secrets of the prophecies and accessing hidden realms. In this the way, he wanted to use Atreus as a tool for his own purposes.
8. Did Odin actually try to prevent Ragnarok, or was he just obsessed with control?
It’s a mix of both. Odin genuinely feared Ragnarok, but his efforts to prevent it were driven by his desire to maintain his power and control over the Nine Realms. Odin grew more paranoid in trying to change his fate as he gained more knowledge.
9. Why couldn’t Thor heal from Kratos’ wounds?
Thor’s wound was incurable due to the Eitr imbued in the Leviathan Axe. The World Serpent, who resides in the Lake of Nine, is the source of the Eitr.
10. Why did Zeus betray Kratos in the Greek saga of God of War?
Zeus betrayed Kratos out of fear that Kratos would overthrow him and take his place, just as Zeus had done to his father, Cronos. Zeus was also destroying cities and wrecking havoc in Olympus.
11. Why was Odin’s appearance so frail in God of War Ragnarok?
Odin’s frail appearance may be due to his extensive use of Vanir magic, which takes a toll on his physical form. Another reason is due to his constant fear of losing power.
12. Is Kratos weaker in God of War Ragnarok compared to his earlier appearances?
Kratos is portrayed as being weaker in God of War Ragnarok because his domain and worshippers were destroyed in Greece, leading to a dwindling of his godly power. There are not enough Gods to fight Kratos and for him to receive enough tribute for it.
13. What did Atreus do to Odin at the end of God of War Ragnarok?
Atreus used his Jotnar magic to trap Odin’s soul in one of his soul marbles. This action allowed Sindri to later destroy Odin’s soul, avenging the death of Brok.
14. Why did Odin hang himself on Yggdrasil in Norse mythology?
Odin hanged himself on Yggdrasil as a ritualistic sacrifice to gain knowledge of other worlds and understand the runes. He sacrificed his eye to gain knowledge.
15. Is Kratos the God of Peace by the end of God of War Ragnarok?
While Kratos is not explicitly crowned the “God of Peace,” his actions and choices in God of War Ragnarok suggest a shift towards a more peaceful and compassionate path, focused on protecting others and breaking the cycle of violence.
Conclusion
Odin’s motivations in God of War were far from altruistic. He sought to manipulate and control Kratos and Atreus to achieve his own selfish goals. Understanding Odin’s true desires allows us to appreciate the depth of the story and the complexities of the characters. The God of War series provides a compelling narrative that can also provide insight into teaching methods, as outlined by organizations such as the Games Learning Society. You can find more information on this topic at GamesLearningSociety.org.