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

about there a dozen or so huge black shapes; as they turned toward him, their eyes glittered greenly.” He also stated, “They are let out at seven every night.

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

Island and its residents. The sea symbolizes the Greek god Deimos. Deimos is the god of fear, terror, and dread.

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

ruler of this island and the house. The island represents the underworld, and the house represents The House of Hades. The House of Hades is the dwelling place of the ruler of the underworld, Hades. General Zaroff owns all of it which includes Ivan, the hounds, and the jungle and sea. He rules and looks out for all of it, just like Hades in the underworld. General Zaroff brings great evil to this island also. Clearly, the characters in “The Most Dangerous Game” symbolize the figures of the underworld in Greek mythology.