Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, Part 1 summary

What happens

1. Hobbes praises Mr. Sidney Godolphin for supporting his studies and showing virtues in public and private life.
2. He dedicates his discourse to Mr. Francis Godolphin in gratitude to Sidney and devotion to Francis.
3. He describes the difficulty of arguing between excessive liberty and excessive authority.
4. He explains that he defends the seat of power rather than its particular occupants.
5. He anticipates objections to his use of Scripture and offers Francis an excuse if the work attracts general condemnation.

What to notice

The image presents his argument as a difficult middle course. It explains his expectation of criticism from opposing sides.

Quick check