The 'mythical foundation' of the state: Leviathan in emblematic context

The author draws attention to the 'animadversions' written in response to t he Leviathan, arguing that Hobbes's 'theological enemies' exploited a mythi cal meaning embedded in the symbol adopted by Hobbes by associating it with a monstrous animal. The way Hobbes's enemies altered the symbol of leviath an reflects the description of animals in emblematic literature. Hobbes unw ittingly deployed a mythical image that redounded against him, revealing hi m to be vulnerable to those 'relics of the religion of the Gentiles', which show up in the shape of mythical images liable of achieving political effe cts.