Genesis and Daily Life
...e and free from strife at this point. Both stories demonstrate a god intervening in humans’ affairs and establishing their futures. Even further explored is the nature of the gods themselves. The most glaring difference between the stories lies in the “personalities” of the two deities considered. On one hand Zeus is shown to have character defects; he is resentful at Prometheus for tricking him into selecting poor portions of an animal sacrifice (Hesiod 38). That the result of Zeus’s concealment of food causes humans to work productively does not mean he is acting for the benefit of the community. On the other hand, the Lord acts out of altruism when he punishes Adam and soon-to-be-named Eve. The entire overture is intended to increase faith and bring humans and their god closer. Their curse is to now keep them from reaching for the tree of eternal life which, had they not previously disobeyed the Lord, would have been free to them. To wit, the Lord initially tells the man , “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden” except the tree of knowledge (Genesis 2.16). In turn, nevertheless, the man and woman are condemned to eventual death (Genesis 3.19). Personality flaws notwithstanding, Zeus does demonstrate an act of goodwill when he leaves mortals with at least Hope (Hesiod 39). Similarly, the Lord makes clothes for Adam and Eve after punishing them so that they may be protected (Genesis 3.21). In addition, Zeus reveals his limits. Accordingly he admits to Prometheus, “you are pleased at having…outwitted me” (Hesiod 38). Although Hesiod later attempts to reconcile Zeus’s omnipotence with being tricked by Prometheus, the fact remains that the Greek god is deceived. Conversely, the Lord is never mislead. His authority is challenged, however, when the woman is allowed to be deceived. Also central to the books are the roles of women. In both cases their existence is pivotal to the stories. However the similarities end there. First of all, Pandora in Works and Days is created out of earth while Eve in Genesis is formed from Adam’s rib. More important is why each is created. Pandora serves unwittingly as a punishment to mankind, a handicap to be dealt with whereas Eve exists because the Lord declares that mankind is a social animal and deserves a companion. Even the attraction between man and woman works in different directions. Hesiod claims that woman is created by plan to bring about “painful yearning and consuming obsession” in man as part of the ironic curse placed on them (Hesiod 39). According to Genesis, woman must instead desire her husband and submit to his ru...