How many years does Kratos sleep?
Let‘s address the question clearly first – how many years does Kratos sleep in the God of War Norse era games? Based on evidence within 2018‘s God of War, the Spartan antihero enjoys a snooze of around 150 years between his Greek adventures and return in Midgard.
Kratos‘ Demigod Lifespan Allows Extremely Long Slumbers
As a born demigod and former God of War, Kratos is no mere mortal. His mythic physiology grants him a massively expanded lifespan compared to regular humans. He has already lived for over 1100 years by the time of God of War Ragnarök. So while a 150 year nap is unfathomable for most, it‘s almost a blink of an eye for this iconic protagonist.
Throughout history, godlike beings across belief systems have undergone periods of extended dormancy and recovery. For someone like Kratos, emerging from seclusion refreshed after ‘only‘ a century and a half is not a huge stretch. Especially considering the pain and trauma characterizing much of his long existence – which brings us to the next point…
Recovery From Loss and Upheaval of the Greek Era
Kratos did NOT have an easy time of it during his Greek heydey. After being tricked by Ares into killing his wife and child, he endures suffering after suffering on his quest for vengeance. By the end of God of War III, he has very nearly wiped out the entire Greek pantheon.
One can imagine that after such traumatic upheavals, he needed time to recover and reflect. Cut off from society and the meddling influence of fickle gods, a long sleep in the wilds of Midgard was Welcome relief. A chance to properly process millenia of pain.
Self-Imposed Exile Following Faye‘s Death
While Kratos finds fleeting moments of peace on his journey, he loses his second wife Faye sometime prior to the 2018 God of War reboot. It‘s likely her death contributes to his decision to sleep. Their relationship was complex but clearly very intimate.
Her loss would have devasted Kratos. Perhaps while raising Atreus alone, he is driven into seclusion in the untamed Norse world. Finally able to properly mourn Faye after laying her legacy to rest, a century-plus of magical slumber provides escape.
| Kratos‘ confirmed age by GoW Ragnarök | Over 1000 years |
| Length of long slumber in Midgard | ~150 years |
| Activity period between GoW III and GoW (2018) | Unknown – Possibly a few decades to centuries |
Whatever the exact causes, Kratos emergence following this long yet restorative sleep presents an intriguing narrative pivot…
The full article continues with deeper analysis and perspectives on Kratos‘ background, biography, and the mysteries around his century-plus snooze. But the key facts are clear:
The Ghost of Sparta catches some epic Z‘s for around 150 years between his Greek and Norse sagas! For an immortal demigod antihero, this represents a tiny fraction of his over-1000-year life. After likely needing time to recover, reflect, mourn and process eons of tragedy, it‘s this restorative slumber that prepares Kratos to take on the Norse pantheon.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Do you think those wintry Nordic wilds made for an epic napping spot? How do you see Kratos‘ century-plus snooze impacting the new saga? I‘m keen to hear fellow fans‘ perspectives.
And for everything on the God of War Ragnarök aftermath and future franchise hints, stay tuned here!
