Natyia Johnson
Mr. Varnell / Ms. Brown
September 30, 2014
4th period
Creation and Archetype Essay
The Genesis and Greek creation stories are both similar and different in how they use literary archetypes. Both the Greek and Genesis creation stories utilize the villain archetype. “Cronus swallowed each of his children as they were born.” (Greek Myth) This proves that Cronus is filling the role of the villain archetype. His lust for power is so great that he selfishly sacrifices his own children to keep the throne. “Because you've done this, you're cursed, cursed beyond all cattle and wild animals, Cursed to slink on your belly and eat dirt all your life. I'm declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He'll wound your head, you'll wound his heel.” (Genesis) This annotation fills a villain archetype. He did something evil and now he is being cursed for his mistakes. These examples show both stories using the villain archetype.
The Greek and Genesis creation stories also contrast, with the former having an epic battle or father/son and the latter a garden archetype. “Cronus became the next ruler. He imprisoned the Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires in Tartarus. He married his sister Rhea, under his rule the Titans had many offspring. He ruled for many ages. However, Gaea and Uran*s both had prophesied that he would be overthrown by a son.” (Greek Myth) This fits the father/son archetype because Cronus was afraid that his son would over power him. He also felt he would gain more respect from others that he would. “Then God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. God made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil.” (Genesis) This is an example of garden because god created beauty. He made earth more interesting by adding trees also Adam and Eve. God was very creative and both Greek and Genesis creation stories shares villain, father/son, and garden archetypes.