The Ghost of Sparta’s Grievance: Why Kratos Hated the Gods

Kratos’s hatred for the gods is a complex tapestry woven from betrayal, manipulation, and unbearable personal tragedy. Initially, he sought their favor, believing servitude would bring him power and ultimately, peace. However, the Olympian gods proved to be capricious, using him as a pawn in their own power struggles and failing to deliver on their promises of solace from his haunting past. The horrific realization that he was responsible for the death of his own family, a consequence of Ares’s manipulation, ignited a rage that fueled his quest for vengeance against the entire pantheon. Ultimately, Kratos’s hatred stemmed from the gods’ callous disregard for mortal lives, their self-serving nature, and their direct role in causing him immense and irreparable suffering.

Understanding Kratos’s Animosity

A Decade of Disappointment

For ten years, Kratos served the Olympian gods with unwavering loyalty, hoping to earn their favor and, most importantly, an end to the nightmarish visions of his past. He performed countless tasks, often violent and morally questionable, believing that these acts would ultimately grant him the peace he desperately craved. However, his service was met with indifference and a sense of being used. The gods treated him as a mere weapon, a means to an end, rather than a valued ally deserving of respect. This disillusionment was the first crack in the foundation of his faith in the gods.

The Ultimate Betrayal: The Death of His Family

The turning point in Kratos’s relationship with the gods, and specifically Ares, was the tragic death of his wife and daughter. Ares, the God of War, tricked Kratos into slaughtering his own family in a fit of rage, an act that shattered him emotionally and irrevocably. This devastating event transformed Kratos’s grief into a burning desire for revenge, not just against Ares, but against the entire Olympian pantheon who enabled such cruelty. The nightmares never stopped even though the Gods had forgiven him. This pushed Kratos over the edge.

The Gods’ Empty Promises

The gods promised Kratos relief from his torment in exchange for his service. However, this promise proved hollow. While they forgave him for his sins, they failed to erase the haunting memories that plagued him day and night. This broken promise further solidified Kratos’s belief that the gods were deceitful and manipulative, willing to use him for their own purposes without any genuine concern for his well-being.

Zeus’s Fear and Betrayal

Kratos’s power grew with each victory, and his reputation as a formidable warrior spread throughout Olympus. This strength, however, became a source of fear for Zeus, who saw Kratos as a potential threat to his reign. In God of War II, Zeus betrayed Kratos, stripping him of his godhood and ultimately killing him (at least temporarily). This act of treachery confirmed Kratos’s suspicions about the gods’ inherently selfish and paranoid nature, solidifying his resolve to bring down the entire pantheon.

A Larger Commentary on Power

Kratos’s journey can be interpreted as a commentary on the corrupting influence of power and the abuse of authority. The gods, drunk on their own immortality and dominion, often acted with impunity, disregarding the lives and suffering of mortals. Kratos’s rebellion against them represents a fight against injustice and the consequences of unchecked power.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Kratos’s Godly Hatred

1. Why did the other gods encourage Kratos to seek vengeance against Ares? The gods saw Ares’s ambition as a threat to the balance of power on Olympus. They manipulated Kratos into becoming their champion against Ares, using him as a tool to eliminate a rival.

2. Did Kratos regret killing all the gods? Yes. As seen in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, Kratos expresses regret for the violence and destruction he caused in his pursuit of vengeance. He recognizes that his actions were often driven by blind rage and that he harmed innocent people in the process.

3. Which god did Kratos hate the most? While he harbored resentment for the entire Olympian pantheon, Ares and Zeus were the primary targets of his hatred. Ares, for tricking him into killing his family, and Zeus, for his betrayal and fear-driven actions.

4. Was Kratos justified in his actions against the gods? This is a complex moral question. While the gods were undoubtedly flawed and manipulative, Kratos’s methods were often brutal and indiscriminate. The games explore the consequences of his actions and the moral ambiguity of his quest for revenge.

5. Why was Kratos so cold and distant towards Atreus? Kratos was afraid of passing on his violent tendencies to his son. He also feared revealing his past and the atrocities he had committed, worried that Atreus would judge and reject him. You can learn more about the impacts of gaming on family dynamics at GamesLearningSociety.org.

6. Did Kratos ever spare any gods? Yes, a few lesser gods were spared by Kratos, including: Phobos, Circe, Amphitrite, Triton and Nike.

7. How many times has Kratos died and been revived? Kratos has definitively died and been revived three times during the original trilogy. This is mostly associated with supernatural interventions and his demigod status.

8. Why does Kratos call Atreus “boy”? Initially, it was due to the developers not finalizing Atreus’s name early in production. However, it became an endearing term that reflected Kratos’s struggle to connect with his son emotionally.

9. What was Kratos’s greatest fear? Kratos’s greatest fear was that the world would find out who he was, what he had done, and how his legacy would impact his son, Atreus. He feared being judged and despised by Atreus, a fate worse than death for him.

10. What was the most evil thing Kratos ever did? The most evil thing Kratos ever did was the butchering of his own family. This act, manipulated by Ares, defined his character and fueled his quest for revenge.

11. Can Kratos truly be considered a “good guy” in the later games? Kratos undergoes a significant character arc in the Norse saga, evolving from a rage-fueled killing machine into a more thoughtful and compassionate figure. While his past actions can never be erased, he strives to be a better father and a protector of the innocent, making him more of an anti-hero seeking redemption than a traditional “good guy.”

12. Why does Kratos cry at the end of God of War (2018)? Kratos cries at the end of God of War (2018) upon seeing the mural depicting his future as a revered figure rather than an instrument of destruction. This vision offers him hope for a different path and a sense of redemption.

13. How did Kratos survive killing himself? As a demigod, who became a god, Kratos is naturally immortal. He is also cursed to never be able to die as punishment for his sins. That is how he survived his suicide attempt with the Blade of Olympus.

14. What are some possible interpretations of Kratos’s journey? Besides the aforementioned commentary on power, Kratos’s journey can be viewed as a metaphor for overcoming trauma, grappling with guilt, and finding redemption. It also explores themes of fatherhood, legacy, and the cyclical nature of violence. The Games Learning Society promotes understanding narratives like these through game studies.

15. Was there any other gods who feared Kratos? Yes, one of the reason Zeus betrayed Kratos in God of War II was because he feared the Great Spartan. Another God that feared Kratos was Hades who tried to kill him when he arrived in the underworld.