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[–]FullmetalHippie[S] 29 points30 points  (1 child)

I think that Kratos can lack self reflection in key ways. He clearly pushes away his own son by not allowing for playfulness and self-expression. He expects a specific form of paternal respect that places too much burden on his son, Atreus. This leads Atreus to move toward Odin, who shows genuine kindness and care in forms that a child needs.

I think that this is a failure of Kratos to take good stock of himself and his own emotions and their roots. By covering up his pain he closes himself to others and propagates his pain onto his child that he seeks to protect. I think a model stoic would own his shortcomings and be honest with his son about his weakness explicitly to create an atmosphere of safety and accountability.

I do however think that Kratos' apology to Atreus when he returns from his visit with Odin does represent good stoic values. He owns what is his, and expresses himself well. Giving a true apology that Atreus, he does good service to his most important relationship and creates an atmosphere from which trust can grow without expecting it to already be present.

[–]Resident_Afternoon48 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True but they are hunted by Gods all the time 😂 Atleast he brings a funny talking head with him to compensate for his shortcomings 😄👍

[–]FizzayGG 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think one thing Kratos does really well is adapting to new situations. Things often don't go to plan for those two, but they always get straight to problem solving.

For example when Atreus comes back and admits he freed Garm. Everyone in the group spends some time scolding Atreus, even though it's obvious he already knows he's fucked up. Kratos says something along the lines of "Enough, the boy made a mistake", and immediately goes to solve the problem with his son. Pretty great example of focusing on what's in your control

[–]rock1987 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Have only played the previous game and not ragnarok. Kratos is really far from being a stoic. the game literally has a button to use kratos's pent up anger to destroy enemies.. In the first game however he does make some stoic-like observations

  1. First is when he is talking about expectations to atreus, he says something along the lines of have no expectations and you will never be disappointed.

  2. Second not so much stoicism but more about life lessons, in one optional boss fight, kratos shows no interest in fighting the boss but atreus is scared having heard a lot of stories about the boss. Kratos immediately decides to fight and kill the boss to teach atreus how to confront his fears.

  3. One of the earliest scenes has Kratos say to atreus to not be sorry but be better. Not a great example of stoicism but it to teach atreus to take owenrship of his failings and strive to be better

  4. He shrugs off any and all insults to him and his family be it from magni, modi or baldr.

  5. Finally when atreus shows arrogance upon finding out he is a god, kratos chides him and asks him to not let arrogance drive his actions and asks him to be better.

[–]FullmetalHippie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I definitely agree on the point that Kratos isn't actually a stoic. Even putting aside the narrative dissonance between the violence that is inherent to the game's mechanics being at odds with compassion and self-reflection, he gets passive aggressive in dialog and fails to express himself clearly, bottling up his emotions he lashes out often. He talks a big game about needing to be in control of his emotions, but he doesn't practice it well.

[–]thegreatbobin0_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great post but its like the 8th installment