# Abel — Two Treatises of Government character guide

> Abel in Two Treatises of Government by John Locke.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0008-vi-of-adam-s-title-to-sovereignty-by-fatherhood

## Who they are

Shepherd and victim of Cain, referenced in discussions of natural law.

## Relationships

### [Cain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/cain)

_family_

Cain and Abel are brothers, with Cain murdering Abel out of jealousy, representing the first fraternal conflict.

### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/adam)

_family_

Abel is the son of Adam, and his murder by Cain is a key event in early human history discussed by Locke.

### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/adam)

_family_

Abel is the son of Adam, and his murder by Cain is a key event in early human history discussed by Locke.

## In the story

### [VII: Of Fatherhood and Property Considered Together as Fountains of Sovereignty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/vii-of-fatherhood-and-property-considered-together-as-fountains-of-sovereignty)

Abel is mentioned as having received distinct territory by private dominion from Adam, showing that property could be separated from paternal authority.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/abel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters