Adam

GENESIS 1-4 introduces the reader of the Bible to Adam, the first human being created, and the creation account tells us that Adam’s primary occupation was to subdue the earth (GENESIS 1:28) and to tend and keep the Garden of Eden (GENESIS 2:15).  The gravediggers in the opening scene of Act V, refer to “Adam’s profession.”

FIRST CLOWN: Why, there thou say’st, and the more pity

that great folk should have countenance in this world

to drown or hang themselves, more than their even

Christen. Come, my spade. There is no ancient

gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers;

they hold up Adam’s profession.

SECOND CLOWN: Was he a gentleman?

FIRST CLOWN: ‘A was the first that ever bore arms.

SECOND CLOWN: Why, he had none.

FIRST CLOWN: What, art a heathen? How dost thou under-

stand the Scripture? The Scripture says Adam digged;

could he dig without arms?…