40 pages 1 hour read

John Locke

The First Treatise of Government

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1689

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

What is natural freedom? How does it contrast with the divine right of kings? What limitations, if any, does Locke place around the concept of freedom in First Treatise?

2.

Why do you think Locke uses the Old Testament to refute Filmer’s argument for the divine right of kings? How does his approach to Biblical interpretation differ from Filmer’s?

3.

According to Locke, what is the relationship between fatherhood and government? Why does Locke devote so much space to fatherhood?