Why is Baldur After Kratos? An Epic Clash Between Mythologies

As a long-time God of War fan, I was thrilled to see the iconic Kratos clash with legendary figures from Norse mythology in the PS4 reboot. At first, it may seem puzzling why Baldur ― the Norse god of light ― would hunt the Greek God of War. By exploring their complex backstories and motivations, we uncover a tragedy born of Odin‘s obsession to cheat Ragnarök at any cost.

Odin‘s Flawed Quest to Prevent Ragnarök

The key to understanding Baldur‘s vendetta against Kratos lies with Odin and his relentless crusade to prevent Ragnarök ― the fated destruction of the Norse gods and cosmos. As the Allfather of the Norse pantheon, Odin has sacrificed his right eye and hanged himself from Yggdrasil to gain forbidden knowledge of future events from ancient runes and the Well of Urd.

Glimpsing the End Times

From these visions, Odin discovers pivotal details about Ragnarök:

• His beloved son Thor will battle the Midgard Serpent, slaying it only to perish from its venom
• Fenrir Wolf and the fire giant Surtr will ravage the realms
• The trickster god Loki will lead the destruction

Terrified for his life and obsessed with changing his fate, Odin grasps at any thread that could rewrite the prophecy.

Atreus Mistaken as Loki

This brings us to his flawed understanding of Atreus‘ role. During their journey in God of War (2018), Kratos and Atreus learn from the Guardian that Atreus‘ mother originally named him Loki. Connecting this name with the Loki from his apocalyptic visions, Odin assumes they are one-and-the-same and that the young boy will somehow trigger Ragnarök.

In reality, the Loki of mythology was blood-brothers with Odin himself. But the increasingly paranoid and irrational Allfather projects his fears of destruction onto Atreus. To Odin, the boy‘s mere existence is a threat.

Baldur‘s Torment Under Freya‘s Curse

While paranoia fuels Odin‘s obsession, Baldur‘s hatred has even more personal roots ― his agonizing curse that leaves him unable to feel pain or pleasure.

In his youth, Baldur was said to be gentle-hearted and cheerful. But seeing a prophetic vision that he would die a pointless death, his mother Freya attempted to save his life by making him invincible to all threats, physical or magical. Her spell, however, had horrific unintended consequences:

"I robbed my son of the very things that made him who he was, who he was meant to be."

– Freya

An Existence Devoid of Joy or Purpose

Cursed with invulnerability to blades or flame, Baldur was denied even the most basic sensations of touch, taste and sound. Over the long centuries, his isolation and anguish drove him slowly insane. He became "nothing but rage and denial" according to Freya ― a hollow shell harboring deep fury towards those who condemned him to this cold, meaningless existence.

Baldur still outmatches even mighty Thor in some regards (see comparison above). But his advantage comes at the ultimate cost ― life without sensation or purpose.

An Impossible Choice – Love or Freedom

When Odin comes to Baldur promising to lift Freya‘s spell if he kills Kratos and Atreus, Baldur faces an excruciating dilemma:

If he disobeys Odin, he remains cursed forever. But harming his mother‘s beloved creations would utterly destroy her. Baldur hates what Freya‘s spell has made of his existence, yet some flicker of love still burns through the haze of madness and vengeance.

In the end, he makes his choice ― to take Odin‘s bargain without hesitation. Perhaps after endless tortured centuries, Baldur retains no hope of breaking the curse through other means. Or maybe he is too emotionally and mentally scarred to consider other paths.

Either way, his fateful decision to confront Kratos sets off a cascade of events leading to further tragedy.

The Final Tragic Irony of Baldur‘s Death

The great irony of Baldur‘s bargain with Odin is it ultimately allows the release he so desperately craves ― but at the cost of his life.

During their final battle, Baldur manages to pin both Kratos and Atreus beneath him, nearly choking the life from them. In that pivotal moment, Atreus calls out to Freya for help. Rushing to her son‘s side, she tries futilely to deter Baldur through pleas and prayers.

"My wings are broken, I cannot help you"

– Freya to Baldur

When words fail, she conjures one final enchantment ― a crystal of mistletoe shoots forth, shattering against Baldur‘s back. Too late, Freya realizes her creation can indeed harm her invulnerable son.

Atreus seizes the broken shard, stabbing Baldur who cries out in shock and pain ― sensations long denied him. With the spell finally broken, Kratos overpowers Baldur, snapping his neck in his signature move.

The tragedy comes full circle, as two parents must watch their sons die at one another‘s hands. For naught did Odin send Baldur to prevent Ragnarök. Instead, Baldur‘s demise only compounds Thor‘s fury, escalating the coming apocalypse.

The Cost of Preventing Fate‘s Judgment

Odin‘s desperate attempts to cheat destiny through deception, manipulation and sacrifice end only in greater tragedy. In his uncompromising efforts to prevent Ragnarok, he creates some of the very events leading to its inception ― the loss of Baldur.

There are clear parallels to Kratos‘ own struggles against fate and the judgement of the gods. But unlike Odin, Kratos comes to understand and mentor his son towards building a better future not chained to the sins of the father.

Baldur serves as both villain and victim ― cursed by his mother‘s love, driven mad by an existence without sensation or purpose. But was the solution Odin‘s bargain to murder a father and son who had wronged him not? Or was Baldur‘s tale always destined to end in sorrow?

The tragedy of Baldur leaves much to ponder about duty, destiny and the struggle to define our fate. It remains one of the most poignant and complex stories of the God of War series, made even more intricate by its roots in Norse legend. I for one cannot wait to see where the mythology guides Kratos and Atreus on their coming journey.