# The Snake and Jupiter explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Snake, weary of being trodden upon by men and beasts, complains to Jupiter about his vulnerability. Jupiter rebukes him, suggesting that if he had bitten the first offender, others would have been more cautious.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Consequence

Jupiter's response implies that the Snake's suffering is partly due to its own passivity, and that justice or relief comes through assertive action.

## Character check-ins

### The Snake

Complains to Jupiter about being trodden upon.

### Jupiter

Responds unsympathetically, advising the Snake to defend itself.

## Key lines

> I dare say that if you had bitten the first that trod on you, the others would have taken more trouble to look where they put their feet.

Jupiter suggests that by retaliating against the first offender, the Snake would have taught others to be more careful.

_Highlights the theme of self-defense and consequence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-snake-and-jupiter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters