The Genesis and Greek creation stories are both similar and different in how they use literary archetypes.


Both Genesis and Greek creation stories utilize the villain archetype. A villain is a bad person or someone who purposely does wrong. “However, Uranus was a bad father and husband. He hated the Hecatoncheires; He imprisoned them by pushing them into the hidden places of the earth, Gaea’s womb” (Greek Myth). This shows the villainous acts Uranus performed. Uranus hates his children and he traps them in hidden places because he doesn't want them around and he is neglectful father. “You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you’ll see what’s really going on” (Genesis story). The snake is saying this because he is a villain. The snake is trying to trick the woman into believing God is a bad guy and he’s lying to her because he wants the woman to be seen as villain for being disobedient. These examples show both stories using the villain archetype.


The Greek and Genesis creation stories also contrast, with the former having a father-son rivalry and the latter a paradise archetype. A father-son rivalry is a rivalry or disagreement between a father and his son. “Cronus grabbed his father and castrated him; the stone sickle, throwing the severed genitals into the oceans” (Greek Myth). Cronus and his father are battling against each other because of their disagreements. Cronus is killing his father because he planned to swallow him when he was born. Cronus does not agree with his father’s actions and wants to rid the world of him. A paradise is a peaceful place where people go to be happy and free themselves of their problems. “First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see” (Genesis story). Heaven is an example of a paradise because people work their whole lives to get there. It is seen as the ultimate paradise because it is only filled with good people and good things. This shows that both stories contrast in their use of literary archetypes.