Deconstructing Hannibal Episode 29: Knives and Scars: S1 Themes and Motifs, Part Two

Have any comments, questions, feedback? Send me a text! 💖💖💖

In this episode (part 2 of a 3-part series), I delve into the meaning of two more significant motifs in S1 of Hannibal - knives and scars and how they relate to themes of power and possession. Enjoy!

Video episode available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPHi6O2rWxc

Episode Links

Cirlot, J.E. A Dictionary of Symbols. Barnes & Noble Books, 1993.

Primacy definition -https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primacy

Daniel Balderston. “The Mark of the Knife: Scars as Signs in Borges.” The Modern Language Review, vol. 83, no. 1, 1988, pp. 67–75. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3728544. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Violence Policy Center - https://vpc.org/revealing-the-impacts-of-gun-violence/murder-suicide/

“Scares and Scars” by Bradley Olson at the Joseph Campbell Foundation - https://www.jcf.org/post/scares-and-scars

Dennis-Bryan, Kim, Nicola Hodgson, et al., editors. Signs & Symbols. DK Publishing, 2008.

Fuller, Bryan. Writer. “Apéritif.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 1. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Fury, David, Chris Brancato, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Potage.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 3. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Schuur, Jennifer. Writer. “Oeuf.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 4. Chiswick Productions, 2012.

Lightfoot, Steve, Bryan Fuller, and Scott Nimerfro. Writers. “Roti.” Hannibal, season 1, episode 11. Chiswick Productions, 2013.

Lightfoot, Steve, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Mizumono.” Hannibal, season 2, episode 13. Chiswick Productions, 2014.

Vlaming, Jeff, and Bryan Fuller. Writers. “Primavera.” Hannibal, season 3, episode 2. Chiswick Productions, 2015.

Vlaming, Jeff, Angela LaManna, Bryan Fuller, and Steve Lightfoot. Writers. “The Number of the Beast is 666.” Hannibal, season 3, episode 12. Chiswick Productions, 2015.