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Why Did Baldur Hate Freya in God of War? A Deep Dive into the Complex Relationship

Baldur’s profound hatred for Freya in the God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök stems from a single, devastating act: Freya’s attempt to protect him from a prophecy foretelling his pointless death. To shield him, she cast a powerful enchantment rendering him invulnerable to all physical harm, but at the immense cost of his ability to feel anything. This included pain, pleasure, temperature, and any other physical sensation. In Baldur’s eyes, this wasn’t an act of love, but a cruel imprisonment, robbing him of his very existence.

The Curse of Invulnerability

Freya’s intentions were undoubtedly driven by maternal love. A prophecy haunted her: that Baldur would die an insignificant, pointless death. Unable to bear the thought of losing her son, she used her Vanir magic to create a protective spell. While it achieved its primary objective – making him untouchable – the side effects were catastrophic.

Baldur became physically numb. Imagine a life devoid of the sensation of warmth, the taste of food, the feeling of a lover’s touch. This sensory deprivation transformed him from a cherished god into a living shell, a constant reminder of his mother’s “loving” but ultimately suffocating control. It’s important to note the intensity of Baldur’s frustration; he experiences no joy, and is in constant pain not physically, but emotionally.

The Loss of Self

More than just physical discomfort, Baldur’s inability to feel stripped him of his sense of self. He couldn’t experience the world in the same way as others, rendering him an outsider, forever separated from the human (and godly) experience. This deep-seated alienation fueled his resentment towards Freya, whom he blamed for his existential torment. He longed to feel anything, even pain, as it would prove he was truly alive.

The Ironic Twist

The irony is that Freya’s attempt to prevent a meaningless death ultimately condemned Baldur to a meaningless life. He became a prisoner of her love, a walking paradox of invulnerability and despair. This dramatic irony is at the heart of their complex and tragic relationship.

Baldur’s Unforgiving Nature

While Freya’s motivations were understandable, Baldur was unable to see past the suffering she had inflicted upon him. He couldn’t forgive her for the theft of his senses, viewing it as a betrayal of the deepest kind. His anger became all-consuming, blinding him to the love that had prompted her actions. It’s a potent exploration of how even the best intentions can pave the road to resentment.

God of War FAQs: Understanding Baldur and Freya

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further explore the intricacies of Baldur and Freya’s relationship in the God of War saga:

Why did Freya choose to make Baldur invulnerable instead of seeking an alternative solution to the prophecy? Freya’s desperation and maternal instinct likely clouded her judgment. The prophecy terrified her, and the allure of a guaranteed solution (however flawed) proved too strong to resist. There may have also been limitations to her Vanir magic, or the belief that no other method could truly guarantee his safety.
Was there any way for Freya to break the spell she cast on Baldur? The game suggests that the spell was incredibly powerful and difficult to break. As Mimir says, “No being may she harm by blade nor spell.” This indicates that the very nature of the spell, tied to her magic, prevented her from undoing it herself without causing him harm.
Did Baldur ever understand or sympathize with Freya’s motivations? Not in the way she would have hoped. He acknowledged that she acted out of love, but his personal suffering was too great to allow for genuine forgiveness. His pain overshadowed any understanding.
How did Baldur’s invulnerability affect his combat abilities? His inability to feel pain made him a relentless and formidable opponent. He could withstand immense damage without flinching, allowing him to fight with unmatched ferocity. This also made him reckless, as he felt no consequences for his actions.
Was Baldur aware of the prophecy that motivated Freya’s actions? Yes, he was aware of the prophecy. This knowledge likely intensified his resentment, as he felt his life had been predetermined and controlled by his mother’s fear.
Why did Baldur initially mistake Kratos for a giant? Baldur’s initial target was a giant, and when he encountered Kratos, he assumed him to be the one he was looking for. He later realized that Atreus was the key to finding Jotunheim. Also, to be specific, he didn’t realize Kratos was NOT a giant until he had spoken with Atreus.
How did Baldur’s death impact Freya in God of War Ragnarök? Baldur’s death devastated Freya, initially fueling her desire for revenge against Kratos. However, through the events of Ragnarök, she eventually comes to terms with her grief and begins to heal.
Did Kratos have any regrets about killing Baldur? Kratos saw that as something that couldn’t be tolerated when they were on mission. The crime Baldur is committing is literally murder. He’s killing someone he probably knows can’t defend herself. Baldur isn’t entitled to revenge so the fact that it was taken from him isn’t a consideration.
What role did mistletoe play in Baldur’s vulnerability? Mistletoe was the only thing that could pierce Baldur’s invulnerability. Freya had extracted promises from everything in the realms except mistletoe, deeming it too insignificant to pose a threat. This oversight proved fatal.
How does Baldur’s story reflect the themes of control and free will in the God of War games? Baldur’s situation exemplifies the struggle between control and free will. Freya’s attempt to control his fate ultimately robbed him of his agency, highlighting the dangers of overprotectiveness and the importance of individual autonomy.
What is the significance of Baldur saying “snow” as his last word? Baldur’s final word, “snow”, might have a dual meaning. It can either mean that Baldur has one last happiness by feeling the snow once more or that Baldur is happy to know that, despise his death, Kratos, Atreus and Freya will all suffer during Ragnarok.
How does Freya’s relationship with Baldur compare to Kratos’ relationship with Atreus? Both relationships are defined by a parent’s love and fear for their child’s safety. However, Kratos ultimately learns to give Atreus space and allow him to make his own choices, while Freya’s overprotectiveness leads to tragic consequences.
Why did Freya betray Kratos? Freya is upset with Kratos at the beginning of God of War Ragnarök because she believes Kratos killed her beloved son Baldur in cold blood. Kratos actually killed Baldur to stop what felt like a seemingly endless cycle of gods killing their parents and family members.
Why didn’t Freya break Baldur’s curse? As Mimir said, “No being may she harm by blade nor spell.” Since the spell could only be broken by a cut or incision, technically “harm”, Freya was unable to free her son from it.
How did Freya make Baldur immortal? When he was born, Freya learned that he was destined to die in some horrible way, so she worked her powerful Vanir magic on him so as to make him immune to everything. Baldur was left immortal, pleasureless and painless.

The story of Baldur and Freya is a tragic illustration of the complexities of love, fear, and the unintended consequences of our actions. It’s a reminder that even the best intentions can pave the road to ruin, and that sometimes, the greatest act of love is to let go. To further explore the role of gaming in understanding complex narratives, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

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