Was Athena Actually in God of War 4? Diving into the Ragnarök Riddle
Hello there, fellow adventurers! Grab your Leviathan Axe and let's dive into the realm of Norse mythology and the God of War series. Today, we're tackling a question that's been on many of our minds since the release of God of War (2018): Was Athena actually in God of War 4, or was it all just a trick of the mind? Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and was athena actually in god of war 4.
A Brief Recap: Athena's Role in Greek Mythology
Before we delve into the Ragnarök riddle, let's quickly refresh our memories about Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare in Greek mythology. She's the daughter of Zeus, born fully grown and armored from his forehead after he swallowed her mother Metis who was pregnant with her at the time. Athena is known for her strategic prowess, her compassion, and her role as a protector, especially of heroes like Perseus and Odysseus.
Athena's Presence in God of War (2018)
Now, let's fast-forward to the God of War (2018) game. Throughout the game, Kratos has visions of a woman in armor, who he believes to be Athena. She guides him, provides him with wisdom, and even helps him in combat. So, was it really Athena, or was something else going on?
The Case for Athena's Presence
Kratos' Connection to Athena
Kratos has a long history with Athena. She was one of the few gods who didn't abandon him after he killed his family and was cursed. She guided him, trained him, and even gave him his Blades of Chaos. So, it's not entirely far-fetched that she would appear to him in his time of need in the Norse realms.
The Vision's Authenticity
The visions of Athena in God of War (2018) feel real. Kratos interacts with her, she influences his decisions, and she even helps him in combat. The visions aren't like the ones he had of the Fates in God of War III, which were clearly dreams or hallucinations.
The Case Against Athena's Presence
The Timing of the Visions
Athena's visions only start after Kratos kills Magni and Modi. Some argue that this timing is suspicious. Why would Athena wait until Kratos had already proven himself in the Norse realms before making her presence known?
The Norse Gods' Reaction
None of the Norse gods, not even the trickster god Loki, seem to acknowledge Athena's presence. If a Greek goddess was truly walking among them, you'd expect some sort of reaction, right?
The Theory: Loki in Disguise
One popular theory suggests that it wasn't Athena at all, but Loki in disguise. Here's why this theory holds water:
- Loki's Motivations: Loki has a history of impersonating other gods and goddesses to cause mischief. He might have done this to manipulate Kratos into doing his bidding or to sow chaos among the Aesir. - Loki's Knowledge: Loki knows about Kratos' past and his connection to Athena. It wouldn't be far-fetched for him to use this knowledge to his advantage. - Loki's Abilities: Loki can shape-shift and take on the form of other beings. He's done it before, so it's well within his capabilities.
The Evidence: Loki's Trickster Nature
Throughout the game, there are hints that suggest Loki might be behind the Athena visions. For instance, when Kratos has his first vision of Athena, he's standing near a lake where Loki's children, Jörmungandr and Fenrir, are trapped. It's as if Loki is trying to get Kratos' attention.
Moreover, when Kratos faces the World Serpent, Jörmungandr, he hears a voice that sounds like Athena's, but it could also be Loki's. The voice says, "You have been deceived, Ghost of Sparta," which could be Loki's way of revealing his trick without directly admitting it.
The Final Showdown: Who Was Really There?
In the game's final cutscene, when Kratos faces off against the real Athena, she seems surprised to see him. She says, "You should not be here, Ghost of Sparta." This could be interpreted as her not expecting Kratos to have survived Ragnarök, or it could be Loki dropping the Athena act and revealing his true form.
The Bottom Line: We May Never Know
So, was Athena actually in God of War 4, or was it all a Loki-led ruse? The game leaves this question intentionally ambiguous, allowing us to draw our own conclusions. It's up to each of us to decide what we believe.
But hey, that's the beauty of this series, right? It leaves us thinking, theorizing, and debating long after we've put down our controllers. Until the next game, keep your axes sharp and your minds open, adventurers.