Comparison of Prometheus and the Serpent of Genesis

The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis, and Prometheus in Theogony have many similarities. In particular, the role of the serpent and role of Prometheus complement each other. The serpent and Prometheus are both portrayed as sly-talking tricksters that reveal immortal knowledge to the humans of earth, and they are both punished for their actions. In both stories, Prometheus and the serpent are conniving characters that rebel against the higher authority figure. In Genesis the serpent is introduced as, â€Å"more crafty than any wild creature that the Lord God had made†¦[the serpent] said to the women, ‘is it true that God has forbidden you to eat any tree in the garden?’’ (Genesis, 3). The serpent later uses his craftiness to fool the†¦show more content†¦Prometheus also gives knowledge to mankind, but reveals it in a more direct way than the serpent. Prometheus steals fire from Zeus, then takes the fire to earth and bestows the knowledge on mankind (Nelson, 45). When Prometheus deceives Zeus and gives fire to mankind, he releases the wrath of Zeus upon mankind and himself. Zeus punishes Prometheus by binding him with â€Å"inescapable harsh bonds†¦ he inflicted on him a long-winged eagle, which ate his immortal liver; but grew as much in all at night as the long-winged bird would eat all day† (Nelson, 43, 521-525). God’s punishment of the serpent does not seem as violent as Prometheus’s punishment, but they are both harsh. God also uses nature when punishing the serpent, like Zeus controlled the eagle. â€Å"Then the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this you are accursed more than all cattle and all wild creatures. On your belly you shall crawl, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life†¦They [mankind] shall strike at your head’† (Genesis, 3). The serpent and Prometheus are punished for eternity for rebelling against their authority. Throughout both stories, the roles that the serpent and Prometheus play parallel each other. They both are presented as crooked characters from the outset. Both reveal knowledge to humans that the corresponding authority figures did not want the humans to have. The serpent and Prometheus’sShow MoreRelatedComparision of Greek Myth of Prometheus and Judaeo-Christian Adam and Eve1623 Words   |  7 PagesWhen comparing the ancient Greek creation myth of Prometheus and the Judaeo-Christian Adam and Eve story we find some striking similarities in both of them. Analyzing Hesiod’s Theogony and other sources we come to the conclusion that the old Greek religion did not include a direct link as to the creation of the humans. They just co-existed with the Gods. Maybe they sprang from Gaea herself, it is not certain. Other sources for the creation of man, point to Zeus giving the task of creatingRead MoreBible vs. Mythology994 Words   |  4 Pagesman and the universe. However the Greek Myths and the Bible have many differences when it comes to how and why everything happened. A comparison between these two is the creation of the universe. In Genesis 1:1 it states that â€Å"the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters† (Genesis 1:2). Then throughout seven days, God created light, the sky, the sea, plants, stars, birds, animals that live in water, livestock, andRead MoreEssay about Similarities in the Mythologies of Creation1301 Words   |  6 PagesLook at the ancient Greco - Roman creation myths as told by Hesiod in his Theogony and Works and Days and Ovid’s Metamorphoses, when compared to the creation myths as seen in the Old Testament’s book of Genesis they may not be as different as one would think. Taking a more in-depth look at both Genesis and Hesiod’s and Ovid’s work more closely, the reader can see that on multiple occasions the myths have almost identical similarities which reflect their views in society. The similarities in pa rticularRead More Mary Shelleys Frankenstein and Satanic-Promethean Ideals Essay2862 Words   |  12 Pageslatters Paradise Lost which informs the themes and structure of the novel more than any other source. Like many of her contemporaries, Mary Shelley draws parallels between Miltons Satan and the Titan Prometheus of Greek myth. However, the two are not simply equated (as in Byrons poem, Prometheus), but appear in various facets through both Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Furthermore, God, Zeus, and Adam are also evoked through these characters. Though its treatment of these mythical figuresRead MoreEssay about The Trickster in Myth2146 Words   |  9 Pageswith his duality and duplicity; his tendency to shape-shift and gender shift whenever necessary for the sake of the trick. In many cultures the trickster is the villain and the hero; stealing fire from the gods and bringing it to the people as Prometheus did in ancient Greek culture. (Wikipedia, Trickster) Wit hin his duality he is a god and a mortal; a creator and a destructor; a male and a female. The trickster can be found to live as a god or goddess or simply as an anthropomorphic animal, which