Who Did Kratos Love the Most? Exploring the Spartan’s Affections
The answer to who Kratos loved the most is complex and changes throughout the God of War series. While initially, his love for his first wife, Lysandra, and daughter, Calliope, were his primary motivations, the evolution of his character sees his relationship with his son, Atreus, take precedence. Ultimately, the argument can be made that Kratos’ love for Atreus becomes the most profound and defining relationship in his long and bloody life. He evolves from a wrathful warrior fueled by vengeance to a father striving to prevent his son from repeating his mistakes.
The Evolution of Kratos’s Love
A Love Lost: Lysandra and Calliope
Before the events that would forever brand him as the “Ghost of Sparta,” Kratos was a devoted husband to Lysandra and a loving father to Calliope. These were the most innocent times of Kratos life. This bond formed the core of his humanity and provided him with purpose outside of war. The tragic deaths of Lysandra and Calliope, orchestrated by Ares, shattered Kratos, leaving him consumed by rage and a thirst for revenge. This initial loss fuels his decades of brutality. While he undoubtedly loved them deeply, this love became intertwined with pain and regret, preventing it from fully blossoming into something that could reshape his future.
The Reluctant Father: Kratos and Atreus
The Norse saga presents a different Kratos. Older, wearier, and burdened by his past, he is now tasked with raising Atreus. Initially, their relationship is strained. Kratos struggles to connect with Atreus, his stoic nature hindering his ability to express affection. He sees Atreus as a reminder of his failures, and is determined to prevent him from making the same mistakes. However, as they journey together, battling mythical beasts and facing formidable gods, their bond deepens.
Atreus, initially presented as a relatively fragile character, gradually develops into a resourceful and capable young warrior. Kratos witnesses Atreus’s growth, his compassion, and his potential for greatness. This fuels his protective instincts. Kratos begins to open himself up to Atreus, revealing snippets of his past and showing genuine concern for his well-being.
The Love That Defines: Kratos’s Sacrifice
The ultimate proof of Kratos’s love for Atreus lies in his willingness to change and sacrifice. He learns to control his rage, not for himself, but for Atreus. He actively tries to teach Atreus about responsibility, compassion, and the consequences of violence. This represents a significant departure from the vengeful Kratos of the Greek saga.
Furthermore, he is willing to risk his life to protect Atreus, defying the gods and challenging fate itself. This selfless devotion to his son highlights the transformative power of his love. It is a love that drives him to become a better man, to break the cycle of violence, and to pave the way for Atreus’s future.
While Kratos held deep affection for Lysandra and Calliope, their deaths cast a long shadow over his life. His relationship with Atreus, on the other hand, allows him to heal, to grow, and to find redemption. Therefore, even though love of his wife and daughter started his journey, it can be argued that Kratos loved Atreus the most. This love shapes his actions, influences his decisions, and ultimately defines his character arc.
The complexities of video game narratives and their impact on players are subjects of great interest within the academic community, with organizations like the Games Learning Society dedicated to exploring such themes. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was Kratos’ true love before Atreus?
Lysandra, Kratos’ first wife, was his true love before Atreus. He shared a deep connection with her, and their relationship formed the foundation of his early life and happiness.
2. Why did Kratos kill Lysandra and Calliope?
Kratos unknowingly killed Lysandra and Calliope as part of Ares’ plot to turn him into a more ruthless warrior. Ares tricked Kratos into slaughtering them, an act that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
3. Did Kratos ever regret killing Zeus?
While Kratos was driven by revenge, he may have felt some remorse for killing Zeus. This stems from the fact that he became a father killer just like Zeus, a cycle he desperately tried to break with Atreus.
4. How did Faye influence Kratos’s life?
Faye, Atreus’s mother, had a profound impact on Kratos. She saw a different side to him, one beyond the rage and vengeance. She helped him find a new purpose and ultimately led him to the Norse lands.
5. What role did Atreus play in Kratos’s redemption?
Atreus played a crucial role in Kratos’s redemption. Through their shared journey, Atreus helped Kratos confront his past, learn to control his anger, and embrace the possibility of a better future.
6. Was Kratos a good father to Atreus?
Initially, Kratos struggled with fatherhood. However, over time, he learned to connect with Atreus, providing him with guidance, protection, and ultimately, love. He evolved into a caring and supportive father figure.
7. How did Kratos’s past affect his relationship with Atreus?
Kratos’s past traumas and violent experiences heavily influenced his relationship with Atreus. He feared passing on his destructive tendencies and tried to shield Atreus from the darkness within himself.
8. Why is Kratos’s skin white?
Kratos’s skin is white because he was cursed by a village oracle after he unknowingly killed his wife and daughter. The oracle cursed him to wear the ashes of his family forever, turning his skin pale white.
9. How old is Kratos in God of War Ragnarök?
In God of War Ragnarök, it is estimated that Kratos is around 1,055 years old.
10. How tall is Kratos?
Kratos’s height varies slightly depending on the source. In the game, he’s generally considered to be around 6 feet 4 inches tall.
11. Did Aphrodite have feelings for Kratos?
Aphrodite was attracted to Kratos because of his raw power and violent nature, similar to her attraction to Ares. However, their interactions were primarily based on physical attraction rather than genuine affection.
12. Why does Hades hate Kratos?
Hades hated Kratos due to a combination of reasons, including Kratos killing his wife, Persephone, his niece, Athena, and his brother, Poseidon.
13. What is Kratos’s ethnicity?
Kratos is Greek. He is depicted as having olive skin, which is consistent with the Mediterranean region.
14. How heavy is Kratos?
It is estimated that Kratos weighs around 240 lbs (109 kg) at his prime.
15. Is Kratos a god?
Kratos is a demigod, meaning he is the son of a god (Zeus) and a mortal woman (Callisto). This gives him superhuman strength, durability, and longevity.