# Cain — Two Treatises of Government character guide

> Cain 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

First murderer, cited in arguments about punishment and sovereignty.

## Relationships

### [Abel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/abel)

_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_

Adam is the father of Cain, and their relationship is marked by Cain's sin and subsequent exile.

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

_family_

Adam is the father of Cain, and their relationship is marked by Cain's sin and subsequent exile.

## In the story

### [Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty by Fatherhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/vi-of-adam-s-title-to-sovereignty-by-fatherhood)

Mentioned as an example of Adam's children who would have paternal power over their own children, creating contradictions.

### [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)

Cain is considered as Adam's heir, inheriting private dominion but not paternal power over his brothers, illustrating the division of sovereignty.

## Links

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