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The Maid of Sker · Chapter
Epigraph explained
The epigraph presents a Greek quotation that condemns a faithless man who harbored a cold, cunning serpent in his bosom, foreshadowing themes of betrayal and hidden danger.
What happens
The epigraph presents a Greek quotation that condemns a faithless man who harbored a cold, cunning serpent in his bosom, foreshadowing themes of betrayal and hidden danger.
Themes in this chapter
Morality and Hypocrisy
The epigraph's image of harboring a serpent suggests hidden treachery and moral hypocrisy.
Key passages
“ἔρρε, θεοῖσίν τ’ ἐχθρὲ καὶ ἀνθρώποισιν ἄπιστε, ψυχρὸν ὃς ἐν κόλπῳ ποικίλον εἶχον ὄφιν.”
Begone, you who are hateful to the gods and faithless to men, who kept a cold, cunning serpent in your bosom.
This ancient Greek verse condemns a deceitful person who secretly nurtured a treacherous nature, setting a tone of betrayal.