In the trailer for the film, Tubal Cain (played by Ray Winstone) seems like a typical epic villain. I didn't expect much from him, but that was a very wrong assumption. I should have known that Darren Aronofsky wouldn't have created a two-dimensional "villain" and also that he would, of course, be a symbol of something greater.
I really love what they did with Tubal Cain's character. He represents man's inhumanity to man, to creation, and to the Creator. This is achieved by his hugely misinterpreted version of what it means to have dominion over the earth. True dominion means sovereignty, authority, ownership and within that is caretaking and stewardship over what you have been given dominion over.
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Cain kills Abel with a rock, very cool scene |
This has corrupted not only their view of the rest of creation, but of each other too. They trade their women in for meat giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "a piece of meat." They kill anyone who gets in the way of their own desires without blinking. They savagely take from the earth without respect or gratitude to their Provider. In their eyes, whatever they wish can belong to them. It's a survival of the fittest mindset and it is bloody.
Tubal Cain is the leader of Cain's descendants and they look to his leadership for provision, making him a god among men. He is ruthless and barbaric, but he is also intelligent and spiritual though he thrives on a complete misunderstanding of the Creator's calling for mankind. He is a nemesis for Noah in that way, they both believe they are doing what they should be, but the difference is Noah's humility and complete reverence to God's will, Tubal Cain only has reverence for works and what man can do, though he thinks he follows the Creator's will. When Tubal Cain bites the head off a lizard even knowing it's the last of it's kind, we know then instantly all he truly cares for is himself.

But his conviction only lasts only the night and in his fear he sets out with his men to attack Noah and his ark. Of course, they all fail. The rains come and water also comes from the earth and wipes them all away. In this film, Tubal Cain sneaks aboard the ark in a cowardly effort to save his life and to also give conflict for Ham, but his death naturally is inevitable as his sin cannot live in a new world.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I absolutely loved the ending scene. And the main reason why is because it was made abundantly clear what true dominion is and now man would have a second chance to live faithfully to that vision of dominion. To be fruitful, multiply and subdue the earth, to be caretakers and stewards, to be the hands and feet of the Creator here on earth. It took Noah some time to truly understand dominion too, but the Lord knew his heart would be turned by love and grace and with it the understanding of the Creator's vision for man and dominion.
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