Snakes+and+Evil

Throughout mythology, the root of evil takes many different forms, such as the epic opening of Pandora's Box in Greek mythology. However, many myths portray ultimate evil in a different light: as the slithering, cowardly serpent. It would seem that this unfortunate reptile has always been cast as the bad guy; in almost every myth, religion, and fairytale the villain takes the form of a snake, a dragon, or associates themself with snakes and dragons. "Why exactly have snakes always represented evil throughout mythology?" is a question that can only be answered through intense research and adept understanding of mythological history.

Since the dawn of time, snakes have been portrayed as slimy, evil, tempting deceivers. One of the best known Bible stories, the Garden of Eden, has an **evil serpent** created by The Lord God. As the first woman ever created, Eve is tempted by the serpent to eat from the forbidden tree. It is thought that Satan spoke through the snake. Upon eating the food, Adam and Eve are punished along with the snake, which looses his legs and must slither upon the earth forever. With sly personalities and characteristics, the serpent reveals the physical and non-physical aspects of an evil character. Chanakya, Indian Politician, strategist and Writer, said “Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." This statement shows the snake's tendency to be deceiving. Snakes are considered to be a sign of evil all over the world. For instance, an old Yiddish quote states: "A snake deserves no pity." The saying, "You snake!" is a negative trerm used for people who are slimy and betray trust. It could also be used for people who are deceptive or cunning. Martin Glibert stated, "Being called a sophisticated snake oil salesman was a low point in my personal career."

Other myths tell of kleptomaniac snakes, such as in the story of //Gilgamesh// when a snake steals a plant that provides eternal youth. Other myths such as the //Enuma Elish// also show how snakes are portrayed as evil monsters. Mother Tiamat, the mother of all gods, creates terrifying monsters to kill her grandson Marduk. The monsters are filled with venom instead of blood. With their huge fangs, great strength, and ill will to kill, the monsters can rip anyone foolish enough to cross their path, to shreds. The majority of these petrifying monsters are described as serpents.

Besides Mythology, popular culture also uses snakes to personify evil. //Harry Potter//, a novel series by J. K. Rowling that focuses on the magical world that exists parallel to our own, perfectly exemplifies that perception. Harry, the protagonist, confronts a **basilisk**, a dragon-like serpent and an extremely snakelike villain before reaching mental clarity as well as world peace. His greatest nemesis, Lord Voldemort, physically resembles a snake and seems to embody the eeriness and mystique that surrounds snakes. Voldemort descended from the ancient bloodline of Salazar Slytherin, an extremely powerful wizard, and shares his ability to communicate with snakes. His voice resembles a hiss more than a real voice and gives him a distinctly powerful presence as he directs his minions. Without his creepy whisper, Voldemort loses the commanding demeanor that allows him to maintain such a strong grip on his followers. As if he were not already surrounded by the serpentine, Voldemort also keeps a large snake, **Nagini**, near his side at all times. Nagini is a petrifying sight to behold and strikes fear in all those who cross her path. Like his voice, Voldemort’s companion also gives him the imposing aura that makes him such a competent, as well as terrifying, villain. In the classic tale of //Robin Hood// (Disney version), Robin Hood is animated as a witty fox who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Prince John hopes to terminate him and his thieving ways. To help him he uses his sidekick, **Sir Hiss** (voice of Terry Thomas). Sir Hiss, a snake, tries to help the evil Prince John defeat the clever fox. He has hypnotizing eyes, said to have been inspired by that of Kaa, the python from //The Jungle Book//. With these eyes he runs the true leader of Nottingham, King Richard, out of town leaving the throne to the selfish Prince John. Sir Hiss follows the stereotype of the sly snake. The powers presented to him enable him to provide Prince John with the throne. With his tricky ways, Sir Hiss is an example of how snakes are portrayed in films and animations.

Another popular Disney movie is //The Jungle Book//. In the cartoon, **Kaa** (voice of Sterling Holloway), a hypnotizing Indian python attempts to eat Mowgli, a boy raised by a mother wolf who just had cubs, multiple times but always fails. The cunning and evil python follows the leadership of Shere Khan, a man-eating tiger. However, the two seem to fear one another so neither disobeys his partner. Kaa is said to have influenced the hypnotizing abilities of Sir Hiss (above). Kaa's deceptiveness makes him fit the mold movies, literature, and other sources have created for snakes. Nearly twice, Kaa succeeds in swallowing Mowgli whole by using his abilities and cunning nature. An interesting similarity between the basilisk, Sir Hiss, and Kaa is that they all have powers to do with their eyes. The basilisk kills its unknowing victim just by looking at him/her in the eye, and Kaa and Sir Hiss can both hypnotize. All these serpents are given deadly weapons over their doomed prey.

//Ella Enchanted//, a book and movie about a girl who falls in love with a prince, shows serpents true nature as a **mischivious snake** stalks the prince. Snakes are often sought out to be untrustworthy, deceiving creatures. In the movie, the snake is shown as a green steryotypical serpent who does anything for its master. The king sends the snake to follow the prince on his journey to Giantville. Slithering, creeping, and stalking, the snake imposes and evesdropes on the prince's business. Returning with loaded information about the prince's affairs, the king and the snake plot to kill the prince. Ella does not get physically harmed by the snake. However, she ends up being the one that is sent to kill the prince because of the terrible spell her godmother put on her that makes her obey any order given to her. Because of the snake, the king gets the idea to order Ella to kill the prince. Not only is the prince doomed, when Ella realizes what she has done, she will not be able to deal with the pain. Thankfully, Ella does not end up killing the prince but this story shows how much impact a deceiving snake can make on a power hungry king.

Serpents are commonly feared due to many factors: their association with poison and therefore death, their abnormal style of movement, and their large fangs just to name a few. The snake's eerie physical traits contribute to the misconception of its personality. Throughout literature and movies, snakes play negative roles. Their portrayal as evil characters perpetuates our fear for them. From //Genesis// to Disney's //The Jungle Book//, snakes are cast as villains and represent the evil in the world. Humans personify them with evil human characteristics, the embodiment of evil.


 * Questions to ponder....**


 * 1) Why are snakes portrayed as evil characters as opposed to other animals and reptiles?
 * 2) If you are afraid of snakes, pinpoint the reason why. Why does that bother you? Does it fit in the paper above?
 * 3) What would be the reaction if a snake was portrayed as a good character? What traits would the producers give the snake?
 * 4) How have snakes acquired the reputation they now have?
 * 5) How did sayings or phrases like, ‘you snake’ or ‘speaking with a forked tongue?’ come to be?
 * 6) Has the view of snakes changed over time?
 * 7) What stories portray snakes in a positive light? Does this reflect the specific culture the story is from?


 * Bibliography**:


 * 1) Macgowan, Brian, and Bruce Kingsbury. "The Snakes of Indiana." __The Center for Retpile and Amphibian Conservation and Management__. 17 Dec. 2007 .
 * 2) "QuizFarm.Com." __Which Evil Animal are You?__ 2007. Oygen Media. 18 Dec. 2007 <[|http://www.saidwhat.co.uk/keywordquotes/snake>.]
 * 3) "Snake Quotes." __Said What?__ 2007. 18 Dec. 2007 <[|http://www.saidwhat.co.uk/keywordquotes/snake>.]
 * 4) "Snake Quotes." __Thinkexist.Com__. 2006. 17 Dec. 2007 .
 * 5) "Green Snake."http://www.popularpets.net/snakes/care-sheets/pictures/rough-green-snake.jpg
 * 6) Rowling, J. K. __Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire__. New York: Scholastic, 2000.
 * 7) "Lord Voldemort." __Wikpedia__. 18 Dec. 2007. 18 Dec. 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voldemort.