A Tale of two fathers: a comparative analysis of fatherhood in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) and God of War (2018)

Abstract

This thesis explores representations of hegemonic masculinity and fatherhood in God of War (2018) and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015). Analyzing the father-child dynamics between Geralt and Ciri, and Kratos and Atreus, it examines how traditional masculine ideals of authority and emotional restraint are both reinforced and challenged. Drawing on Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity and trauma-informed perspectives, the study reveals how these games critique patriarchal fatherhood and propose alternative models emphasizing empathy and cooperation. This research contributes to understanding evolving masculinity in video game narratives. Keywords: video games, fatherhood, hegemonic masculinity