The Bear Scene (tm) has been in my head for weeks.
Kratos has spent the past 14+ years struggling to move past the tragedy in Greece and his guilt over killing his first wife and daughter, whose ashes he now wears on his skin. The whole reason why Kratos was so distant with Atreus was because he felt unworthy of his child’s love and admiration, being the monster he thought he was. Furthermore, it’s not so great a leap to understand that Kratos was scared of loving a child again. He’d lost one already. By distancing himself from Atreus, he could protect both himself and his boy.
But now, during Ragnarok, Kratos has allowed himself to love again, and in doing so, they are closer than ever. So when the bear that Kratos nearly kills transforms into his son, covered in blood and bruises -- which Kratos inflicted -- and not opening his eyes, I can only imagine the horror. The panic. The self hatred boiling in his gut. It’s happened again. I've killed my son.
It’s the risk Kratos has taken by finally drawing close to Atreus. It is his greatest fear come to life before his eyes. We know throughout the game that Atreus is Kratos’s whole world; he has said again and again that, if necessary, he would readily die so that Atreus could live.
So when Atreus finally opens his eyes, I can only imagine Kratos’s relief. To me, it’s heartwarming, in an odd way, seeing Kratos so earnestly care about his son. But it is an important scene because here is where we see Kratos’s motivation to remain put and not involve himself in another war. Because entering another war puts him at risk of becoming the God of War once again -- vengeful, full of rage and hate, and lacking self control. Entering another war puts him at risk of falling back into his old ways. Old ways that might include familiar tragedies.
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Sorrow has grown
like a fungus in my heart
My laughter was once
like warm bread in the mouth,
now it curls at the edges.
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I was wrong, Atreus. I was wrong. Open your heart. Open your heart to their suffering. That is your mother's wish... and mine as well.
GOD OF WAR RAGNARÖK (2022)
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GOD OF WAR RAGNORAK SPOILERS
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Kratos redeeming himself, moving on from the god-killer title, people worshiping Kratos, Kratos’ reaction to being worshipped, to finally being the god he never thought he could be, being able to be proud of himself and who he’s become, being the man Faye always believed he could be, keeping his promise to Atreus, I’m so emotionally overwhelmed please let me hug him—
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