History, Feminism
How ‘Creation of Eve’ Decided the Fate of Women in Society
And why a woman is positioned on a lower pedestal than a man
The role of women in modern society has evolved over time, but the fate of women was decided long back in history. The Creation of Eve is a classic example of this statement. Be it religious theologies or Christian iconographies, a woman is always positioned on a lower pedestal than a man. Religious scriptures played a very important role in dictating what should and should not be done by women. Right from the precept of menstruation to a woman covering her head is all vestige of scriptures written centuries ago.
During medieval Christianity, art was completely under the hands of the patriarchal papacy, and most of the time painters like Michelangelo depicted imagery that was imposed upon them by the religious leaders of that time. Art, sculpture, and scriptures were the means by which papacy influenced society and culture.
Creation of Eve and the religious theologies
In the biblical book of Genesis, Eve was created by God from Adam’s rib. Eve got succumbed to the serpent's temptation and enticed Adam to eat the forbidden fruit resulting in their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The Christian and Jewish teachings held Eve responsible for disobedience to God (often called the fall of man) while Islamic teachings held both of them equally responsible.
God “cursed” Eve for the misdeed and doomed her to live subordinately to Adam.
Genesis 3:16 “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor, you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Judaism view on the Creation of Eve
The early rabbinic literature accused Eve in various instances and made her the perpetrator of original sin.
According to Rabbi Joshua, “God deliberated from what member He would create woman, and He reasoned with Himself thus: I must not create her from Adam’s head, for she would be a proud person, and hold her head high. If I create her from the eye, then she will wish to pry into all things; if from the ear, she will wish to hear all things; if from the mouth, she will talk much; if from the heart, she will envy people; if from the hand, she will desire to take all things; if from the feet, she will be a gadabout. Therefore I will create her from the member which is hidden, that is the rib, which is not even seen when a man is naked.”
Other grave accusations attributed to Eve passed along the history of women appeared in Genesis Rabbah 17:8 that states, “a woman should not go out bareheaded because she is the original sinner and ashamed of doing wrong.” Eve was responsible for shedding the blood of Adam and ultimately his death and so the woman has menstruation.
Christianity’s view on the Creation of Eve
Tertullian, often called the father of Latin Christianity described women as the “devil’s gateway”. On the other hand, Saint Augustine condemned the philosophy of Tertullian and told the original sin could not be based on the transgressions of Eve as she was deceived by the serpent while Adam knew about his sin. Adam chose a life of sin with a woman over a life with God.
In art, Eve has been portrayed as Adam’s temptation and she instigated him towards committing sin. The Renaissance artists replicated the face of the Serpent identical to that of Eve.
Eve’s coming out from Adam’s rib implied her dependency on man and her intimate union with a single man promoting monogamy.
Depiction of Creation of Eve in Christian iconography
Creation of Eve by Michelangelo — The Creation of Eve by Michelangelo is part of the intricate wall fresco in the Sistine Chapel. He portrayed Eve coming out of Adam from “one of his ribs.”
Depiction of Eve in Notre Dame Cathedral — At the entrance of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the image of the serpent as the mirror image of Eve depicted woman as the source of original sin.
Conclusion
The Creation of Adam and Eve depicts the inception of mankind on earth. But religious beliefs and patriarchal iconographies ingrained the belief in society that woman is inferior to man.
Some feminist theologians recently suggested that instead of interpreting Eve coming from Adam’s ribs, it should be rendered as she is coming from his side to support the idea that woman is equal to man and not his subordinate.
History is always changing behind us, and the past changes a little every time we retell it — Hilary Mantel
References
1. Rewriting the Biblical 'Curse' on Womankind
2. EveIf you like this article you might like The Hidden Meaning of Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’ or The Witch Trials of Midwives.