The Burning Question: Why Did Baldur Want Kratos Dead?
At first glance, Baldur’s relentless pursuit of Kratos in the 2018 God of War seems like a simple case of mistaken identity and divine aggression. The core reason boils down to Odin’s manipulation and Baldur’s desperate desire to break the curse of invulnerability placed upon him by his mother, Freya. Baldur believed, or was led to believe by Odin, that Kratos held the key to either a cure for his condition or a path to Jotunheim, the land of the giants, where a potential cure could be found. The giants, particularly Faye (Kratos’ wife), were thought to possess the knowledge Baldur needed to alleviate his eternal numbness. This initially fueled his obsession, which was later compounded by his burning rage towards Freya.
The Web of Deceit and Desperation
Baldur’s motivations are far more complex than simply wanting to kill a god from another land. Here’s a breakdown of the crucial factors:
- Odin’s Agenda: Odin, the Allfather, feared Ragnarok and saw Kratos and Atreus as potential catalysts for the end of the world. He tasked Baldur with eliminating them, hoping to prevent the prophesied apocalypse. Odin strategically used Baldur’s pain and vulnerability to manipulate him into carrying out his wishes.
- The Curse of Invulnerability: Freya, in a desperate attempt to protect her son, placed a powerful spell on Baldur making him impervious to all physical harm. However, this came at a terrible cost: Baldur could feel nothing. No pain, no pleasure, no warmth, no cold – a sensory void that drove him to the brink of madness.
- The Hope for a Cure: Baldur’s primary driving force was the desperate hope for a cure. He was led to believe that either Kratos possessed the knowledge to break the curse, or that Faye, a giant living in Midgard, held the secret. Mimir even speculated that Odin told Baldur that the giants of Jotunheim were the only hope.
- Misidentification and Rage: Baldur initially mistook Kratos for a guardian appointed by the giants to protect Faye. His frustration at being unable to feel and his intense desire for a cure fueled his rage, making Kratos the unfortunate target.
- Freya’s Interference: As the story progresses, the relationship between Baldur and Freya becomes a central conflict. Baldur’s resentment towards his mother for the curse deepens. The arrival of Freya further intensified Baldur’s rage, driving him to seek not just the death of Kratos and Atreus, but also revenge against his own mother.
Baldur’s journey is a tragic tale of manipulation, desperation, and ultimately, a desperate attempt to feel something, anything, after a lifetime of numbness. Kratos was merely a pawn in a much larger game orchestrated by Odin, the Allfather.
Unraveling the Complexities: FAQs about Baldur and Kratos
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the complex relationship between Baldur, Kratos, and the events of God of War.
1. Why did Odin send Magni and Modi with Baldur to hunt Kratos?
Odin sent his grandsons, Magni and Modi, with Baldur primarily to provide support in combat. These two sons of Thor were strong and skilled warriors, offering Baldur additional firepower in his mission to eliminate Kratos and Atreus. Their presence ensured that Baldur had assistance in overcoming any resistance he might encounter, and they also served as loyal followers of Odin’s will.
2. Did Baldur know Kratos was a god before their final fight?
No, Baldur did not initially know that Kratos was a god. He perceived Kratos as a powerful guardian protecting a giant. It was during their confrontation near Jotunheim that Atreus revealed his divine nature, but even then, Baldur primarily focused on Atreus, whom he believed to be the key to finding the giants. Only later, during their last fight does Baldur realize the true nature of Kratos.
3. What was Baldur’s ultimate goal in God of War?
Baldur’s ultimate goal was to break the curse of invulnerability that Freya had placed upon him. This curse robbed him of all sensation, leaving him in a perpetual state of numbness. He desperately sought a cure, believing that Kratos, Faye, or the giants of Jotunheim held the key to restoring his ability to feel. This quest consumed him and drove his actions throughout the game.
4. Why was Mistletoe Baldur’s weakness?
Mistletoe was Baldur’s weakness because Freya, in her attempt to make him invulnerable, had made everything in the world promise not to harm him… except for mistletoe, which she deemed too insignificant to pose a threat. This oversight proved fatal. When Atreus unintentionally imbued an arrow with mistletoe, it became the catalyst for breaking the curse and making Baldur vulnerable.
5. How did Odin know about Kratos’ past?
According to the novelization of God of War by J.M. Barlog, Odin’s ravens spied on Kratos and Atreus throughout their journey. These ravens, acting as Odin’s eyes and ears, observed Kratos’ actions and relayed information back to Odin, including Kratos’ past exploits and the havoc he wreaked in Greece. This intelligence gave Odin insight into Kratos’ power and made him a figure to be feared.
6. Why did Kratos kill Baldur?
Kratos killed Baldur out of a combination of self-defense and compassion. After Baldur’s vulnerability was revealed, he became even more unstable and fixated on killing Freya. Kratos intervened to protect Freya, and when Baldur refused to listen to reason and continued his violent rampage, Kratos reluctantly ended his life to prevent further bloodshed. His final act was a mercy killing, ending Baldur’s suffering.
7. What did Kratos mean when he said “We must be better than this”?
When Kratos said, “We must be better than this,” before killing Baldur, he was expressing his regret over the cycle of violence and revenge that had plagued his life and was now threatening to consume Atreus. Kratos wanted to break free from this destructive pattern and teach his son to choose a different path, one based on compassion and understanding rather than endless conflict.
8. Why was Freya so protective of Baldur?
Freya’s protectiveness towards Baldur stemmed from her deep maternal love and her desire to shield him from the dangers of the world. She placed the curse of invulnerability upon him to ensure his safety, but this act ultimately caused him immense suffering. Her actions, though well-intentioned, had unforeseen consequences, and she carried the burden of knowing that she had inadvertently caused her son’s torment.
9. What did Odin want from Kratos in God of War Ragnarök?
In God of War Ragnarök, Odin initially presented himself as offering peace and assistance to Kratos and Atreus. However, Odin’s true intentions were far more manipulative. He sought to control Atreus and use his knowledge of prophecy to prevent Ragnarok according to his vision, and keep himself in power. He also wanted to learn the secrets of other realms and potentially exploit Kratos’ power for his own ends.
10. Why was Odin angry at Kratos?
Odin was angry at Kratos primarily because he was an unknown and powerful variable in his carefully constructed plans. Kratos had disrupted Odin’s control over the Norse realms by killing Baldur and threatening his other schemes. Odin also feared Kratos due to his immense strength and his history of defying the gods.
11. Was Baldur stronger than Kratos?
Baldur possessed immense strength and resilience, rivaling Kratos in many ways. His inability to feel pain or fatigue gave him a significant advantage in combat. However, Kratos’ experience, skill, and raw power ultimately proved superior. While Baldur could withstand tremendous punishment, Kratos’ strength and tactical prowess allowed him to overcome Baldur’s defenses.
12. Why did Baldur go insane?
Baldur’s insanity stemmed from the emotional and sensory deprivation caused by Freya’s curse. The inability to feel anything, whether pain, pleasure, or emotion, gradually eroded his sanity. The constant numbness drove him to desperation and rage, leading to his erratic and violent behavior.
13. What was the significance of Baldur being able to feel again after being pierced by the Mistletoe Arrow?
The return of sensation to Baldur after being pierced by the mistletoe arrow was both a blessing and a curse. For the first time in his life, he could experience the world around him, feeling the snow on his face and the cold air on his skin. However, this sudden influx of sensations was overwhelming, further contributing to his instability and ultimately leading to his demise. It was a moment of both joy and profound sadness, highlighting the tragic nature of his existence.
14. What role did Faye (Kratos’ wife) play in Baldur’s obsession with Kratos?
Faye, also known as Laufey, was a giant and Kratos’ wife. Odin believed that the giants were the only ones who could cure Baldur of his curse. Therefore, Odin sent Baldur to find Faye. Faye also planned a head her death for Kratos and Atreus to spread her ashes from the highest peak in all the realms, which was a plan to eventually set Ragnarok into motion.
15. How do the themes in God of War connect to educational concepts discussed at the Games Learning Society?
The themes of manipulation, consequence, and the burden of choice in God of War are deeply relevant to the research conducted and discussed at the Games Learning Society. The game explores how power dynamics, moral dilemmas, and personal responsibility shape individual actions and broader societal outcomes. The narrative invites players to consider the complexities of ethical decision-making, the impact of trauma on behavior, and the importance of breaking cycles of violence, all of which are topics examined through the lens of game-based learning and design at GamesLearningSociety.org. Studying games like God of War allows educators and researchers to better understand how interactive storytelling can promote critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of human nature.