Kratos, the protagonist of the God of War series, is a character steeped in tragedy and rage. He is a Spartan warrior turned deity, with a tale that spans several games and a multitude of mythologies. Kratos’ journey begins in the service of the Greek gods, where he is a brutal and efficient warrior. His life takes a tragic turn when he is tricked by Ares, the God of War, into killing his own wife and child. This act sets Kratos on a path of vengeance against the gods, particularly Ares. His quest for revenge leads him to kill Ares and take his place as the new God of War. However, his troubles are far from over, as he is haunted by the nightmares of his past and the machinations of the other gods.

In the later games, Kratos finds himself in the realm of Norse mythology, having survived his final battle with Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. Here, he seeks a quieter life, away from the chaos and bloodshed of his past. However, the Norse gods, led by Odin, become aware of his presence and seek to eliminate him. Kratos is forced to fight once again, this time alongside his son, Atreus. The dynamic between Kratos and Atreus forms the emotional core of these games, as Kratos struggles to break the cycle of violence and be a better father to Atreus. Despite his brutal past and the rage that still burns within him, Kratos shows a surprising amount of growth and depth as a character. His journey from a rage-filled warrior to a more thoughtful and caring father is one of the most compelling aspects of the God of War series.