Odin Was CORRECT About Kratos... Sort Of

Every time you say that Kratos involved himself in the “mortal conflicts” my mind always jumps to him participating in mortal kombat 2011

"I have faith that our brothers of Sparta will live on through the true god of War" - The Last Spartan.

I really do believe that the ending where kratos is seen crying at that mural isnt due to him finally being worshipped as a god, its that people no longer see him as a monster, but as someone worth revering as a hero and good person. Kratos' whole goal in these games (outside of keeping his only family safe and just surviving) was to move past his old self. To get rid of the anger and come to terms with the guilt and trauma that he has wrought on others, and himself. He sees himself as a monster and despite trying to so desperately to move past it, everyone he meets who've heard of him only see him as such. Look at freyja and mimir, they had heard of the ghost of sparta, destroyer of civilizations, killer of gods, monster of mankind. But they hadn't heard of kratos, the man betrayed by the very gods he looked to for guidance, the man who had to give up a peaceful afterlife with his daughter, the man who had killed his own family either because he was tricked or because he had no choice. So him seeing that statue, surrounded by those who see a Hero? He breaks down, knowing that all his effort isnt in vain. He's not a monster anymore. He's a man, and a good one at that.

I don't think Kratos was crying because people were worshipping him. I'm pretty sure it's because of what the worship itself showed about how people saw him; as a protector and a peacekeeper, someone who is beloved by the people as a good person. And he actually breaks down crying because he is overwhelmed at realizing that he's finally found redemption after all this time.

I immediately understood exactly what type of character Odin was in that first scene. He is the embodiment of the soul of the actual mythical Loki. The manipulator, the liar, the con.

Odin feels like a mafia don in this game. Richard Schiff did such a great job voicing this character.

You read my mind, Bacon Man. What I really love about Odin is that they don’t just tell us he’s smart, they show us he’s smart. Like baiting Atreus into finding “Tyr” so he could secretly keep a close eye on them. Or how he found a loop-hole to summon the Einherjar early, and used Nidhogg to secure Freya’s binding spell.

Completely agree it's one of the best parts of the game. He kinda fears Kratos but he also doesn't back down on pissing him off either.

I think what odin said in particular “to be loved” was what hit most. sure kratos was briefly worshipped but you don’t really love a god of war. In fact the majority of greeks rightfully feared and loathed him for all the war and slaughter in his name. For him to learn that the nordic folk revere him as a benevolent god, I think thats what he always wanted deep down. To protect, not needlessly mutilate and slaughter like in his darker days.

I think you forgot one small detail... When zues attacked sparta the last spartan warrior specifically said "they prayed to you. They pray for their god to protect them. But you never came." Or something like that so yes. The people of sparta did have faith in him even through thick or thin.

Odin definitely seemed like an overt villain the moment he visited Kratos' home to make him an offer (he couldn't refuse). I was married to someone with very similar traits and toxic characteristics and can spot an abuser a mile away.

Kratos cries in the end not because he is worshipped but because people care about him and consider him worthy to be worshipped.

I love when Odin is like "has anyone ever prayed to you, worshipped you or can you even imagine that kind of love?" literally Kratos had everything at one point but because of his old ways he lost everything. Every single little thing norse gods claim to know about Kratos is based on pure legends but they never know the actual reason or the true story behind everything that happened in Greece. I am 100% if Odin knew the actual truth about Kratos he could've manipulated him.

I loved the point you made about rational thought vs irrational feeling but when you said the Spartans only worshiped Kratos because he let the Spartans bring death and destruction. Isn’t the opposite true though, because they respected Kratos as a general and worshiped Kratos after he killed the god of war and and took his throne. This is indicated when one of the Spartans say “all shall know the glory of Sparta” which is what Kratos said in the first game. Which would mean that The Spartans don’t worship Kratos because he lets them bring death and destruction but follow Kratos in his path of destruction because they respected and worshiped Kratos.

Kratos wasn't worshipped by the spartans because he is one of them he's basically a extremely respected warrior

Kratos was worshipped and feared before, the mural wasnt showing the people worshipping him, it was showing him being loved.

A lot of people have also pointed out that everything Óðinn says to Kratos about 'never being worshipped' is also really hardcore projection... Because it 100% is. Narcissists and Machiavellians constantly project their own failures & insecurities onto their victims. Deep down, Óðinn knows he's a monster that everyone (including his own children) rightfully despises because of his actions, and how he treats them. Even though he's trying to prod Kratos' weak spot, he's actually the one losing his composure. That scene is telling you who he really is.

God worship in Greece was largely based on their city. Athens and Athena. Sparta had the god of war regardless of who it is. So on and so on. It’s a dynamic worth mentioning.

I knew from the Get go the kind of person that Odin was, largely because I used to be him. I recognized rhetorical tactics he used to manipulate people because I used to do the same. I’ve matured since then, and I’m glad I’m not the same person I was.

I don’t think that the cupboard is supposed to show that he’s been being worshipped this whole time, I think that it’s supposed to be another prediction by Faye and the giants that Kratos will be a God worth worshipping not a way to prove Oden is wrong by saying that he’s been being a worshipped this whole time