Pandora’s Box
‘Pandora’s Box’ comes from the ancient Greek poem ‘Works and Days’, written by Hesiod around 700 BCE
Prometheus, a Titan, felt sorry for humans who had no fire. He stole fire from Mount Olympus and gave it to them. Zeus, king of the gods, was furious and planned a punishment.The gods created Pandora, the first woman. Each god gave her a gift, so her name means “all-gifted”. They gave her beauty, charm and strong curiosity, plus a sealed clay jar, and told her not to open it. Pandora was sent to marry Epimetheus, Prometheus’ brother.Her curiosity won. She lifted the lid of the jar. Sickness, pain, grief, greed and many other evils flew out and spread over the world. Frightened, she slammed the lid shut. Only Hope stayed trapped inside.Since then, suffering has been part of human life.
Source: Hesiod, Works and Days (c.700 BCE), Archaic Greek mythological tradition.
Theme and lesson
- Curiosity can bring terrible consequences
- Human life is full of suffering, but also hope
Questions
- What do you think hope trapped inside the box mean?
- Do you think Pandora should be blamed for opening the jar?