The Satyricon

Once the conflict aboard the ship has finally been resolved, a fierce storm breaks out, with “the sea bristl[ing] threateningly, and storm-clouds gather[ing] from every side” (105), and the ship ends up being wrecked. The shipwreck symbolizes the uncontrollable nature of fate, and the futility of having illusions of agency. Ironically, Encolpius and Giton feared for their life during the conflict aboard, but it ends up being the during storm that they face the most severe danger. Encolpius refers to “the treachery of the sea” (107), personifying this natural event and linking it to theme of betrayal. Even when it seemed like things had improved for Encolpius and Giton, they were never actually secure because they were only one storm away from potential death. The shipwreck gives Encolpius the opportunity to reflect on the broader dangers of life, noting that “it is not just the seas which keep such brittle faith with mortal men” (108). The shipwreck comes to symbolize the uncertainty and potential danger that surrounds every endeavor, and highlights “how uncertain is man’s floating destiny!” (108). The mention of destiny as “floating” puns on both instability and the powerful threat of the sea.