Through Two Lens: Thomas Hobbes’ “Leviathan” in 1651 and 1996

The role of a book within a clubhouse is first dictated by its content and the effects of that on its contemporary audience. After three hundred years, a at a time radical text, infer for its content becomes a piece of archives to be examined and studied. The role of a text and the lens it is seen with are evident in the presentation of its offspring. The first loop of Thomas Hobbes Leviathan is focused on proclaiming the words of Hobbes as a summation of new philosophical ideals contrary to other ideals of the time. A modern edition shows that the words of Hobbes are now seen as a historical object to be studied. The difference mingled with these two versions of Hobbes is the importance of content in 1651, and the focus on context in 1996. Leviathan was originally published in 1651 in London. It was immediately met with controversy in England and France. Its specifically anti-Catholic sentiments (Hobbes, 1651, p55) made the text unpopular among Church leaders as well as the government in France. Despite this official contempt for the work, the rendition public was fascinated with Leviathan and it was in high demand. Readers were looking to stick out their hands on the book to hear what Hobbes had to say. They wanted to read his words and opinions.

This treatment of the text and importance of the content is besides evident in the original publication of the book. The opinion of the pen comes through in the internal decoration of the book. The beautiful and complicated frontispiece engraving by Abraham Bosse starts the book. This decoration would have been expensive to committal and used a good amount of expensive ink, notwithstanding was worth the expense in the eyes of the printer and author. Additionally, on that point are headers and calligraphy throughout the text. Also, in the first publication of the book Hobbes reviewed sheets as they came off the press and kept a list of errors. These then were included in the book as an Errata note. This is significant because Hobbes sought to be... If you want to get a unspoilt essay, order it on our website: Orderessay

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