Poisonous Pantheons

God of War and Toxic Masculinity

Bibliographic Data

ID2409736
AuthorsSuzanne Conway (0000-0003-1217-0982, Swinburne University of Technology, corresponding author), Steven Conway (Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Year2020
Volume15
Issue8
Pages943-961
Publication date2020-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGames and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1555-4120 • E-ISSN: 1555-4139
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1555412019858898
OpenAlexW2953478272
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited19

Kratos, protagonist of God of War (2005-current), is an archetypal representation of toxic masculinity. For much of the series, his rage drives much of the narrative and game dynamics, as Kratos destroys the entire Greek pantheon. The latest iteration of the series moves Kratos into Norse mythology and introduces a son. This father-son relationship allows the developers to ruminate upon the toxic masculinity that has defined much of the series' past. Kratos' trajectory moves from the flatness of one defining characteristic, rage, to an introspective consideration of this emotion and its consequences. A parabolic supporting cast set the stage, each illustrating an aspect of toxicity; as explored, the mother-son relationship between Freya and her son, Baldur, is given a poignant twist. Overall, this article investigates how God of War articulates characteristics of toxic masculinity, explores its repercussions, and offers lessons for its rehabilitation

Action (physics · Aesthetics · Art · Epistemology · Introspection · Literature · Masculinity · Mythology · Narrative · Physics · Politics · Relation (database · Representation (politics · Sociology · Computer Science · Gender Studies · Gothic Literature and Media Analysis · Law · Philosophy · Utopian, Dystopian, and Speculative Fiction · Violence, Religion, and Philosophy

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