The Symbolism Of The Underworld In The Most Dangerous Game

The characters in “The Most Dangerous Game” symbolize those of the figures of the underworld in Greek mythology. General Zaroff said, “Ivan once had the honor of serving as official knouter to the Great White Czar, and he has his own ideas of sport.” A knouter is almost like a punisher, it is a person that whips criminals or captives with a leather whip, or knout. Ivan symbolizes the Roman god Thanatos. Thanatos represents death. He takes orders from the gods to kill certain mortals or even gods. Ivan symbolizes Thanatos because Ivan is assigned to kill and carry out orders. General Zaroff’s hounds also symbolize a figure in the underworld. “I eventually had to use the dogs.” Said General Zaroff. “...and Rainsford could see moving

If anyone should try to get into my house-or out of it-something extremely regrettable would occur to him.” These hounds of General Zaroff symbolize the hellhounds of Greek mythology. Hellhounds are said to protect the supernatural. For example, they may hunt down wandering ghosts, or even protect a supernatural treasure. The hounds in “The Most Dangerous Game” are very ferocious and are relentless, just like the hellhounds of the underworld. The hounds in the story are used for when General Zaroff can not find the prey. When they are being hunted and are almost to the point of winning the game, that is when the hounds come out and hunt down the prey. Both types of hounds hunt down the lost souls that are trying to escape, or the ones running for their lives. The sea and jungle are major forms of symbolism in the story. “This island is called Ship Trap.” General Zaroff stated. He also said, “They indicate a channel, where there’s none; giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea monster with wide-open jaws. They can crush a ship as easily as I crush this nut.” The sea, the dangerous-fear breeding-nerve racking-obstacle for sailors all over the world, has brought great danger and pleasure to Ship Trap

General Zaroff uses the sea to his advantage to trap the prey for his hunts. He uses light to indicate a channel that is non-existent. The sea brings a great deal of fear and terror for most people that use it. The sea is the first place where people feel fear as they are being trapped. The jungle symbolizes the Greek god Phobos, the god of panic and flee. “...spurred on by the sharp rowers of something like panic.” The jungle provokes the panic in Rainsford as well as the feeling of being hunted. “When the general, nursing his bruised shoulder, had gone, Rainsford took up his flight again. It was flight now, a desperate, hopeless flight, that carried him on for some hours.” The jungle has provoked the feeling of panic and flight. This is where the feeling of flee and panic grows most strong. Being hunted by a psychopathic general and being forced into the jungle causes emotions to flood into Rainsford’s mind. Finally, General Zaroff symbolizes the ruler of the underworld, Hades. “...his smile showed red lips and pointed teeth.” These characteristics symbolize the evil in General Zaroff. General Zaroff said, “So I bought this island built this house, and here I do my hunting.” General Zaroff is the owner and