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Allegory
Explanation and Analysis—Artificial Chains:
Throughout Leviathan, Hobbes develops the allegory of the state or commonwealth as a colossal human figure. In Chapter 21, he discusses (among other topics) the various reasons why an individual might voluntarily limit their own freedoms in order to enjoy the benefits of membership in such a commonwealth. Expanding upon this allegorical “Artificiall Man,” Hobbes describes civil law as “Artificiall Chains.”
But as men, for the atteyning of peace, and conservation of themselves thereby, have made an Artificiall Man, which we call a Common-wealth; so also have they made Artificiall Chains, called Civill Lawes, which they themselves, by mutuall covenants, have fastned at one end, to the lips of that Man, or Assembly, to whom they have given the Soveraigne Power; and at the other end to their own Ears. These Bonds in their own nature but weak, may neverthelesse be made to hold, by the danger, though not by the difficulty of breaking them.
Here, Hobbes imagines civil law as a series of chains that are “fastned at one end” to the lips of the Leviathan, or body politic, and “at the other end” to their own individual ears. Men have deliberately created these chains “by mutuall covenants” in order to preserve peace and their own security, even at the cost of personal liberty. By imagining “chains” running from the lips of the collective body to the individual ears of subjects, Hobbes emphasizes the absolute importance, for him, of following laws established by the state or sovereign.
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