pandora's box summary essay

World History Edu

• Greek Mythology

Pandora’s Box: Origin Story, Meaning, Ancient Greek Myths, and Significance

by World History Edu · May 16, 2021

Greek myth of Pandora

Take an in-depth look at how the first woman Pandora was created, as well as how one particular gift that the Greek gods bestowed upon her become humanity’s worst nightmare.

Meaning of the metaphor

The phrase “Pandora’s Box” is used whenever a simple situation or event quickly takes a turn for the worse, resulting in a series of ceaseless and uncontrollable complications. The origin of the phrase emerged from ancient Greek mythology about how the first woman created by the gods unleashed misery on the earth, thereby ending humanity’s Golden Age.

Creation of Pandora in Hesiod’s epic poems

Ancient Greek poet Hesiod is credited with writing the epic poems Works and Days and Theogony . Most likely written in the 7 th century BC, the two poems contain the story of Pandora’s Box and how the holder, Pandora, unknowingly released into the world all manners of misery and evils.

The story recounts how the Greek Titan Prometheus – a fire god and god of trickery – stole the sacred fire from the abode of the gods on Mt. Olympus. Prometheus, who in many cases is seen as the creator of men, was a benevolent deity. He desired nothing than to share the gift of fire with his creation, mortal men.

Enraged by Prometheus’ bold defiance, Zeus , the king of the gods, decides to even out the scale. He orders his son Hephaestus , the Greek god of fire and divine craftsmen, to create a woman out of earth.

According to Hesiod, once the woman, Pandora, was created, the gods bestowed numerous gifts upon her, including good looks, charm, wits, curiosity, and the ability to tell lies. For example, the Greek goddess Athena gifted Pandora an elegant dress and showed her how to make clothes. Aphrodite , the goddess of love and beauty, showered copious amounts of grace on her. This explains why her name “Pandora” came to mean “all gifted” or “she who gives all gifts”.

Read More:  9 Most Famous Epic Poems of All Time

Zeus’ gift to Pandora

When it came to Zeus’ turn to give Pandora a gift, the king of the gods gave Pandora a jar (or box) so elegantly designed that it instantly caught the attention of Pandora.

Unbeknownst to Pandora, Zeus had placed in the box all kinds of human toil, sufferings and evils. He also placed the spirit of hope in the box.

Pandora and Epimetheus

With Pandora all set and ready, Zeus sent Pandora to Epimetheus, a titan and the brother of Prometheus. Zeus was fully aware that Epimetheus would fall head over heels for Pandora.

In spite of Prometheus’ stern warning, Epimetheus went ahead and married Pandora (“sender of gifts”), making her the first bride of the human race.

Pandora’s curiosity gets the better of her

One thing ancient Greek gods were good at was acting in a very cunning and sly manner. This trait of theirs often times wreaked immense havoc on the race of men. One such case was the one with Pandora.

When creating Pandora, the gods (Zeus) purposely placed in her loads of curiosity and the propensity to lie. Zeus then went ahead to intentionally make his gift – Pandora’s Box – look very catching on the eye.

Therefore it came as no surprise that Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her, making her very eager to see the contents that Zeus had placed in the box. No sooner had she opened the box than did she see the grave mistake she had made. According to the poet Hesiod, an awful lot of misery and evil immediately came out of the box and spread to all four corners of the world.

The end of humanity’s Golden Age

Prior to the 16th century AD, the phrase used was “Pandora’s Jar” and not Pandora’s Box | Image: James Gillray cartoon, 1809

Just as dark clouds of misery engulfed the world, Pandora marshaled a bit of strength and shut the box close. All that was left in the box was the spirit of hope (known as “Elpis”).

The evil contents of the box in effect brought an end to the Golden Age of humanity . The ancient Greeks believed that prior to Pandora’s coming the race of men were prosperous and lived in a completely harmonious environment.  

Pandora’s Box: Meaning and Significance of the myth

The ancient Greek myth of Pandora’s Box was the ancient Greeks’ way of making sense of the world around them. The ancient Greeks, perhaps like many other civilizations before and after them, always pondered the meaning of life. They must have been bedeviled with the age-old question: Where did all the misery and suffering in the world come from? This is where Pandora’s Box myth comes to play.

Ancient Greeks reasoned that in order to navigate through the ills of this world, humans ought to work. Pandora’s coming threw a wrench into a perfectly harmonious and prosperous system (i.e. humanity’s Golden Age). It was Zeus’ way of exacting punishment on mortal men for graciously receiving fire from Prometheus.

Therefore, Pandora’s Box can be seen as the steep price the world pays for all the benefits that we get from “fire”. Even for an ancient civilization as that of ancient Greeks, fire was extremely important. As a matter of fact, the hearth in the homes of ancient Greeks was considered a very sacred place, as it was vital in keeping the home warm and meeting other domestic needs. They believed that quenching the fire at the hearth could spell doom for the home and city.

The above explains why Zeus was incensed after Prometheus stole the sacred fire from Mt. Olympus.

• Hestia – the Greek Goddess of the Hearth and Sacrificial Flame
• Greek goddess Artemis: Birth, Myths, Meaning, & Symbols  
• Demeter: the Greek goddess of agriculture and grains

To modern civilizations like ours, “fire” encompasses knowledge, science and technology. The very inventions that were meant to bring us improved health and advance the course of our civilizations become the very instruments that poison our water, choke the air, and kill the land.

Similarities between Pandora and Eve

In Abrahamic religions, Eve is recognized as the first woman created by God. One cannot help but notice a striking resemblance between the story of Eve and that of Pandora. In both cases, a race of [naïve and/or innocent] men (Adam from a Biblical perspective) lived in a habitat that was pristine and free from all evils. The demise of that habitat ( Garden of Eden ) only occurs the moment the first woman was introduced. We can thank the high levels of misogyny in those ancient cultures for interpreting the beginning of human race in that manner.

Regardless, both stories are classic retelling of how humanity lost the grace of the gods (or God) by falling prey to the deception of a cunning being. In the case of those Abrahamic religions, that cunning being could be depicted as Lucifer (Satan), the bringer of knowledge and evil.

Significance of Hermes in Greek mythology

Interesting facts about Pandora’s Box

Pandora’s Box | Portrait: John William Waterhouse, 1896

Starting around the 16th century AD, authors and mythologists began using the phrase “Pandora’s Box” instead of “Pandora’s jar”. This change most likely stemmed from a mistranslation by Rotterdam-born humanist Erasmus. It must be noted that in the Greek word that Hesiod used (in his epic poems) “pithos” translates into a large storage jar.

Lilius Giraldus of Ferrara was another 16th-century writer who mistranslated the word “pithos” to mean casket (“pyxis”). This explains why we sometimes see “Pandora’s Casket” or “Pandora’s Box” in literature works.

In some accounts of the story, Hermes , the Greek messenger god and inventor, was the one who created Pandora out of the earth.

Many scholars have opined that Hesiod’s Theogony was undoubtedly inspired by similar tales from much older civilizations (than ancient Greece) in the Mesopotamian region.

Over the centuries, a slightly different account of the story gained some bit of popularity. Proponents of this account state that Pandora’s jar did not contain great misery and evil as it is widely believed. Rather the jar had only good things placed in it. The story goes on to say that those good things could have gone to the human race had they not been let to escape into the vast cosmos. As a result, humanity was left with the only content that stayed in the box, i.e. the spirit of hope.

Her  Roman name was Anesidora, which means “she who sends gifts”. This name was also used to describe several goddesses and mythological figures, including Demeter , the goddess of the grains and harvest, and Gaea (Gaia), the goddess of the earth.

Tags: Epimetheus Garden of Eden Hesiod Hesiod's Theogony Pandora Pandora's box Prometheus Zeus

You may also like...

Forced Relationships in Greek Mythology

September 16, 2023

Aphrodite in Greek Mythology – Birth Story, Meaning, Symbol, Powers, & Abilities

August 23, 2019

Deianira: the woman who accidentally killed Heracles in Greek Mythology

April 22, 2021

• Pingbacks 0

Interesting. I think it is about s*x or m*asturbation. (One article I read elsewhere gave me the idea) Her being the “first bride,” “first woman,” and so curious she “opened the box/jar,” (i.e: m*ting) plus the greeks generally being misogynistic in ancient times, says it all. Classic patriarchy is reducing women to s*x objects and saying they birth all evils, ‘selfishly’ keeping the gift of life to themselves. (I.e: hope was left in the box, aka her womb)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Next story  Themis: Birth, Family, Symbols, & Powers
• Previous story  9 Most Famous Epic Poems of All Time
• Popular Posts
• Recent Posts

What caused the Peloponnesian War? – History and Major Facts

Life and Major Accomplishments of Xenophon of Athens

History of the Acropolis of Pergamon and why it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Israel-United States Relation and its impact on the Middle East Peace Process

Anglo Saxon England: History and Major Facts

Greatest African Leaders of all Time

Queen Elizabeth II: 10 Major Achievements

Donald Trump’s Educational Background

Donald Trump: 10 Most Significant Achievements

8 Most Important Achievements of John F. Kennedy

Odin in Norse Mythology: Origin Story, Meaning and Symbols

Ragnar Lothbrok – History, Facts & Legendary Achievements

9 Great Achievements of Queen Victoria

12 Most Influential Presidents of the United States

Most Ruthless African Dictators of All Time

Kwame Nkrumah: History, Major Facts & 10 Memorable Achievements

Greek God Hermes: Myths, Powers and Early Portrayals

8 Major Achievements of Rosa Parks

Kamala Harris: 10 Major Achievements

10 Most Famous Pharaohs of Egypt

How did Captain James Cook die?

The Exact Relationship between Elizabeth II and Elizabeth I

Nile River: Location, Importance & Major Facts

Sobek in Egyptian Mythology: Origin Story, Family, Powers, & Symbols

How and when was Morse Code Invented?

• Adolf Hitler Alexander the Great American Civil War Ancient Egyptian gods Ancient Egyptian religion Apollo Athena Athens Black history Carthage China Civil Rights Movement Cold War Constantine the Great Constantinople Egypt England France Germany Hera Horus India Isis John Adams Julius Caesar Loki Medieval History Military Generals Military History Nobel Peace Prize Odin Osiris Pan-Africanism Queen Elizabeth I Ra Religion Set (Seth) Soviet Union Thor Timeline Turkey Women’s History World War I World War II Zeus

greekmyths-greekmythology.com

The myth of Pandora’s box

The myth of Pandora’s box is considered one of the most descriptive myths of human behavior in Greek mythology. Ancient Greeks used this myth not only to instruct themselves about the weaknesses of humans, but also to explain several misfortunes of the human race.

Pandora, the first woman on Earth

Pandora was, according to the myth, the first woman on Earth. She was created by Gods; each one of them gave her a gift, thus, her name in Greek means “the one who bears all gifts”.

Pandora was created as a punishment to the mankind; Zeus wanted to punish people because Prometheus stole the fire to give it to them. Her gifts were beautifully evil, according to Hesiod. Hephaestus created her from clay, shaping her perfectly, Aphrodite gave her femininity and Athena taught her crafts. Hermes was ordered by Zeus to teach her to be deceitful, stubborn and curious.

Pandora’s box

Pandora was given a box or a jar, called “pithos” in Greek. Gods told her that the box contained special gifts from them but she was not allowed to open the box ever. Then Hermes took her to Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus, to be his wife. Prometheus had advised Epimetheus not to accept anything from the Gods, but he saw Pandora and was astonished by her beauty, thus he accepted her right away.

Pandora was trying to tame her curiosity, but at the end she could not hold herself anymore; she opened the box and all the illnesses and hardships that gods had hidden in the box started coming out. Pandora was scared, because she saw all the evil spirits coming out and tried to close the box as fast as possible, closing Hope inside.

According to Hesiod Hope indeed stayed inside because that was Zeus’ will; he wanted to let people suffer in order to understand that they should not disobey their gods. Pandora was the right person to do it, because she was curious enough, but not malicious.

The myth of Pandora’s box has been fascinating people since ever, catching the imagination of countless artists, who created frescos, mosaics and sculptures depicting Pandora and the mythological elements. The myth itself though appears in many different versions; the most distinctive difference is that in some myths Hope does come out. The main purpose of the myth of Pandora though is to address the question of why evil exists in the world.

The birth of Pandora was represented on the pedestal of the statue of Athena situated at the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.

Share this post:

Similar posts.

The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology

The myth of Pegasus and Bellerophontes

Calypso and Odysseus

The Myth of Sisyphus

The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur

The myth of Cassandra

71 comments.

Always love how Christians label anything outside of their own belief as a “myth” but their own religion is “absolute truth.” I doubt the people of Greece during that time considered their worship, of the different Gods, as a myth.

Even the first commandment of the Christian bible states, ” Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.” Notice it did not say there are no other Gods.

Verses from the Bible that refut the statement that there are other gods: 1 Kings 8:60 — That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. 1 Timothy 2:5 — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Hosea 13:4 — Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no savior beside me. 1 Chronicles 17:20 — O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Actually, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all called “Monotheistic” for a reason. They believe in one God. Well let’s start that commandments come from the Old Testament – Bible to Jews and Christians. Most of the Commandments make sense and are found in other religions or belief systems – Do not Murder. Do not Steal. Don not lie. etc. I believe that most modern Christians and Jews are NOT biblical absolutists. That is, we realize that some of the harsh laws from two thousands of years ago, have no real basis in science or rational discourse today – and some of the stories are meant to be allegories – lessons not always to be taken literally. But yes, one of the Commandments is – Do not worship false idols. But if you are a monotheist and are a Jew, Christian or Muslim – One God is your belief system. And the notion that making gods of “people” is bad is the morally right position – and today that could mean celebrities or Politicians – I think that’s a good idea to prefer to worship God – whatever you may envision that to be – and not a flawed human. When you replace our God with say, humans like a Mao or Hitler or Stalin – we’ve seen some pretty nasty, deadly outcomes – millions of dead in their wake.

Hi my name is Suriya Reddy and Im from South Afirca ,Durban,Chatsworth.I am going to do a project on how to make Pandora’s box.

So if Pandora was the first woman on Earth how come she was created as a punishment for the mankind? Which mankind?

She was created for the men to lust over which would also be seen as a distraction

I realize that you wrote this a loong time ago, I think you are trying to blend a bible story (Adam and Eve) with Greek mythology. Just like Eve was the first woman in the bible, Pandora was the first woman in Greek mythology. In the bible Adam was the first man and God (singular) created Eve as a companion. Greek mythos the Gods (plural) created Pandora for Men (plural). Hope that helps you and any others that may read this.

Nope, similarities are not the author’s fault. He simply explained the myth as it was written.

This article was written quite poorly. In the Works and Days, there were expressly multiple generations previous.

Pandora wasn’t ever described as the first woman nor even as a mother by Hesiod. She was merely a weapon the gods sent to punish the degeneration of man. (The list of traits that they gave her included beauty from Aphrodite)

I mean, you have a point. Like guys and gurls, think bout it for a sec…

HI MY NAME IS NIRANYA CHAMODA RATHNAYAKE AND I AM FROM SRI LANKA AND AT SCHOOL I AM STUDYING ABOUT GREEK MYTHS + GREEK CIVILIZATION AND THIS ARTICLE IS WELL THE BEST

I have often asked people , who opened Pandora’s box ? It surprised me of the large number of people who did not know or had never heard of the myth .

This was a very informational article and it was interesting to read about. I’m doing an essay about Greek Mythology, and I had chosen Pandora’s Box considering the fact that it was the only Greek myth I knew about. I read more into Greek Myths and found some other stories I was interested in. But, ya can’t go back when you have a teacher as strict as mine UwU. This explained the myth of Pandora’s Box and informed me more of what I needed, which will definitely come in handy when writing this essay. Have a nice life rando ppl I don’t know!

I have always read “Hope” remaining differently. The Box is full of EVILS of all kinds. Empty Hope can be an evil. You can “Hope” all you want, but you can’t sit there waiting without doing something about it.

I loved this article and the way it was written. I didn’t know anything about Pandora’s box before. reading this article. Also, reading some of the comments was really helpful in better understanding the specific of this myth, especially the one which specified the difference between this myth as stated in the Bible vs Greek Mythology.

I am 65+…..My generation learned of thIs myth in grade school days and from our parents, songs, churches and TV.

A great myth still today….yet the youth of today mainly know nothing about this….teachings and times have changed so much since I was young. i still have faith in our youth today, however many are disillusioned from schools because of what they are teaching them. It is a lack of Caring from some teachers & a lack of Respect from some of the students, I believe that is greatly hindering solid educations. Some kids graduate from HS & still cannot read & write properly….that is atrocious…..and their Math skill levels are so very low. This is ultra dangerous to the future for them and America. The “FOUR PILLARS” of my youth teachings were ….AND in this exact order—- 1) God……..2) Country……..3) Home …….4) School. These should be stressed, now more than ever from Youth to the Elderly. None of us all should never quit learning.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Understanding the Significance of Pandora's Box

• Mythology & Religion
• Figures & Events
• Ancient Languages
• American History
• African American History
• African History
• Asian History
• European History
• Latin American History
• Medieval & Renaissance History
• Military History
• The 20th Century
• Women's History
• M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota
• B.A., Latin, University of Minnesota

A "Pandora's box" is a metaphor in our modern languages, and the proverbial phrase refers to a source of endless complications or trouble arising from a single, simple miscalculation. Pandora's story comes to us from ancient Greek mythology , specifically a set of epic poems by Hesiod , called the Theogony and Works and Days . Written during the 7th century BC, these poems relate how the gods came to create Pandora and how the gift Zeus gave her ultimately ends the Golden Age of humankind.

The Story of Pandora's Box

According to Hesiod, Pandora was a curse on mankind as retribution after the Titan Prometheus stole fire and gave it to humans. Zeus had Hermes hammer the first human woman—Pandora—out of the earth. Hermes made her lovely as a goddess, with the gift of speech to tell lies, and the mind and nature of a treacherous dog. Athena dressed her in silvery clothing and taught her weaving; Hephaestus crowned her with a marvelous golden diadem of animals and sea creatures; Aphrodite poured grace on her head and desire and cares to weaken her limbs.

Pandora was to be the first of a race of women, the first bride and a great misery who would live with mortal men as companions only in times of plenty, and desert them when times became difficult. Her name means both "she who gives all gifts" and "she who was given all gifts". Never let it be said that Greeks had any use for women in general.

All the Ills of the World

Then Zeus sent this beautiful treachery as a gift to Prometheus' brother Epimetheus , who ignored Prometheus's advice to never accept gifts from Zeus. In the house of Epimetheus, there was a jar—in some versions, it too was a gift from Zeus—and because of her insatiable greedy woman's curiosity, Pandora lifted the lid on it.

Out from the jar flew every trouble known to humanity. Strife, sickness, toil and myriad other ills escaped from the jar to afflict men and women forever more. Pandora managed to keep one spirit in the jar as she shut the lid, a timid sprite named Elpis, usually translated as "hope."

Box, Casket or Jar?

But our modern phrase says "Pandora's box": how did that happen? Hesiod said the evils of the world were kept in a "pithos", and that was uniformly employed by all Greek writers in telling the myth until the 16th century AD. Pithoi are huge storage jars that are typically partly buried in the ground. The first reference to something other than a pithos comes from the 16th-century writer Lilius Giraldus of Ferrara, who in 1580 used the word pyxis (or casket) to refer to the holder of evils opened by Pandora. Although the translation was not exact, it is a meaningful error, because a pyxis is a 'whited sepulcher', a beautiful fraud. Eventually, the casket became simplified as "box". 

Harrison (1900) argued that this mistranslation explicitly removed the Pandora myth from its association with All Souls Day, or rather the Athenian version, the festival of Anthesteria . The two-day drinking festival involves opening wine casks on the first day (the Pithoigia), releasing the souls of the dead; on the second day, men anointed their doors with pitch and chewed blackthorn to keep the newly released souls of the departed away. Then the casks were sealed again.

Harrison's argument is bolstered by the fact that Pandora is a cult name of the great goddess Gaia. Pandora is not just any willful creature, she is the personification of Earth itself; both Kore and Persephone, made from the earth and rising from the underworld. The pithos connects her to the earth, the box or casket minimizes her importance.

The Meaning of the Myth

Hurwit (1995) says that the myth explains why humans must work to survive, that Pandora represents the beautiful figure of dread, something for which men can find no device or remedy. The quintessential woman was created to beguile men with her beauty and uncontrollable sexuality, to introduce falsehood and treachery and disobedience into their lives. Her task was to let loose all the evils upon the world while trapping hope, unavailable to mortal men. Pandora is a trick gift, a punishment for the good of Promethean fire, she is, in fact, Zeus's price of fire.

Brown points out that Hesiod's story of Pandora is the icon of archaic Greek ideas of sexuality and economics. Hesiod didn't invent Pandora, but he did adapt the story to show that Zeus was the supreme being who shaped the world and caused the misery of the human lot, and how that caused human descent from the original bliss of a carefree existence.

Pandora and Eve

At this point, you may recognize in Pandora the story of the Biblical Eve. She too was the first woman, and she too was responsible for destroying an innocent, all-male Paradise and unleashing suffering ever after. Are the two related?

Several scholars including Brown and Kirk argue that the Theogony was based on Mesopotamian tales, although blaming a woman for all the evils of the world is definitely more Greek than Mesopotamian. Both Pandora and Eve may well share a similar source.

Edited and updated by K. Kris Hirst

• Brown AS. 1997. Aphrodite and the Pandora Complex . The Classical Quarterly 47(1):26-47.
• Harrison JE. 1900. Pandora's Box. The Journal of Hellenic Studies 20:99-114.
• Hurwit JM. 1995. Beautiful Evil: Pandora and the Athena Parthenos. American Journal of Archaeology 99(2):171-186.
• Kirk GS. 1972. Greek Mythology: Some New Perspectives . The Journal of Hellenic Studies 92:74-85.
• Wolkow BM. 2007. The Mind of a Bitch: Pandora's Motive and Intent in the Erga. Hermes 135(3):247-262.
• Selene, Greek Goddess of the Moon
• Hesiod's Five Ages of Man
• Prometheus: Fire Bringer and Philanthropist
• Symbols of the Greek Goddess Athena
• Greek Gods, Myths, and Legends
• Who Are the Nymphs in Greek Mythology?
• Birth of the Olympian Gods and Goddesses
• Themis, Goddess of Justice
• A Biography of the Greek God Hades
• Greek Goddess Demeter and the Abduction of Persephone
• The Myth of Cupid and Psyche
• Medusa: The Ancient Greek Myth of the Snake-Haired Gorgon
• Ancient Greek Flood Myth of Deucalion and Pyrrha
• Hermes - A Thief, Inventor, and Messenger God
• Ancient Greek Pottery

Want a daily email of lesson plans that span all subjects and age groups?

The myth of pandora's box - iseult gillespie.

8,182,331 Views

63,337 Questions Answered

Let’s Begin…

Pandora was the first mortal woman, breathed into being by Hephaestus, god of fire. The gods gave her gifts of language, craftsmanship and emotion. From Zeus she received two gifts: the trait of curiosity and a heavy box screwed tightly shut -- never to be opened. But what treasure could never be seen by human eyes, and why was it in her care? Iseult Gillespie explores the mystery of Pandora’s box.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

• Educator Iseult Gillespie
• Director Silvia Prietov
• Storyboard Artist William Cifuentes
• Animator Jorge Moyano, Mauricio Piraquive
• Compositor ALETA Diseño Audiovisual
• Art Director Alejandro Mesa
• Composer Stephen LaRosa
• Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
• Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
• Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
• Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
• Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

More from Myths From Around the World

The Greek myth of Demeter's revenge

Lesson duration 05:54

350,525 Views

The god who wanted to rule the seas

Lesson duration 05:02

213,220 Views

Japan's scariest ghost story

Lesson duration 06:02

379,091 Views

A tour of the ancient Greek Underworld

Lesson duration 05:37

635,386 Views

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Myths — Greek Mythical Character: Goddess Pandora

Greek Mythical Character: Goddess Pandora

• Categories: Mythology Myths

About this sample

Words: 1197 |

Published: Mar 1, 2019

Words: 1197 | Pages: 3 | 6 min read

Works Cited

• Brown, R. (2007). Retelling Stories, Framing Culture: Traditional Story and Metanarratives in Children's Literature. Routledge.
• Davis, C. (2011). Chasing Davis: An Atheist's Guide to Morality Using Logic and Science. Eloquent Books.
• Edinger, R. E. (1994). The Eternal Drama: The Inner Meaning of Greek Mythology. Inner City Books.
• Hamilton, E. (2013). Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Grand Central Publishing.
• Hesiod. (n.d.). Theogony and Works and Days. (M. L. West, Trans.). Oxford University Press.
• Kerenyi, K. (1951). The Gods of the Greeks. Thames & Hudson.
• Morford, M. P. O., & Lenardon, R. J. (2011). Classical Mythology. Oxford University Press.
• Powell, B. B. (2015). Classical Myth. Pearson.
• Rose, H. J. (2018). A Handbook of Greek Mythology. Routledge.
• Vernant, J. P. (1991). Mortals and Immortals: Collected Essays. Princeton University Press.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

• Expert in: Science Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 1104 words

1 pages / 487 words

3 pages / 1462 words

3.5 pages / 1575 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Myths

There are a lot of myth about creation all around the world. Each one has different standpoints about how the world and human being were formed. However, basically all agree that there is a great lord that in a way or another [...]

The tale of Orpheus and Eurydice is one of the most poignant and enduring love stories in Greek mythology. This tragic narrative, filled with themes of love, loss, and the power of music, has captured the imagination of [...]

The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite is a beautiful piece of ancient Greek literature that tells the tale of Aphrodite and Ares’ affair. This hymn serves as an excellent example of how Greek mythology and ancient Greek culture placed a [...]

Powell, B. (2015). The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology. New York: Routledge.Graves, R. (2018). The Greek Myths: Complete Edition. United Kingdom: Penguin UK.Burkert, W. (1985). Greek Religion. United States: Harvard [...]

Aeschylus' play Prometheus Bound centers on the struggle between Prometheus and Zeus. Prometheus is an intelligent god who is concerned with the welfare of others. Zeus is a tyrant who acts rashly according to his emotion. The [...]

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan, culture hero, and trickster figure who is credited with The creationofmanfrom clay, and who defies the gods by stealingfire and giving it to humanity,an act that enabled progress and [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Entertainment

Essay Samples on Pandora's Box

Summary of the myth of pandora’s box.

Aeschylus was said to have been born in about 525 or 524 BCE in Eleusis, a small town just northwest of Athens. His first play was performed when he was only 26 years old (in 499 BCE), and fifteen years later he won his first...

• Literature Review
• Pandora's Box

Elements of Fantasy and Actual Depictions of the Greek Society in Greek Mythology

Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks. These stories concern the origin and the nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes and mythological creatures, the origins and significance of the ancient Greek’s own cult and...

• Greek Mythology

Prometheus and Frankenstein: The Destructive Desire for Knowledge

The desire to gain more knowledge has been a core piece of humans’ character since the beginning of our time. Even in the time of dinosaurs, humans desired to learn more of their surroundings and their predators, which ultimately allowed them to survive. However, while...

• Frankenstein

Various Viewpoints of Humanity’s First Woman - Pandora

Introduction The myth of Pandora, as seen in Hesiod’s Theogony and Works and Days, has accumulated significant-interest for centuries, considering her infrequent appearances in Ancient Greece mythology. Pandora generates several questions regarding womankind, the identity of a woman, her impacts on society (both positive and...

Best topics on Pandora's Box

1. Summary of The Myth of Pandora’s Box

2. Elements of Fantasy and Actual Depictions of the Greek Society in Greek Mythology

3. Prometheus and Frankenstein: The Destructive Desire for Knowledge

4. Various Viewpoints of Humanity’s First Woman – Pandora

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option
• 13 Reasons Why
• Bridge to Terabithia
• Movie Review
• Hidden Figures
• Finding Nemo
• Elvis Presley
• Video Games

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

• Investigations Swazi Secrets Pandora Papers Cyprus Confidential Deforestation Inc. Panama Papers More Investigations
• Data Offshore Leaks Database Medical Devices Database Datashare
• Journalists
• About About ICIJ Our team Corporate ICIJ’s awards Media partners Our supporters Work with us
• Leak to ICIJ

An ICIJ Investigation

Pandora papers.

The largest investigation in journalism history exposes a shadow financial system that benefits the world’s most rich and powerful. Read more .

• Featured stories in this investigation
• Original stories
• Key findings
• More from ICIJ About the Pandora Papers FAQs The Power Players The Secrecy Brokers About the data Stories from our partners

PANDORA PAPERS

Investigators worldwide continue to open ‘pandora’s box’ to pursue criminals identified in pandora papers two years after icij’s landmark investigation, by scilla alecci, october 3, 2023.

Behind the scenes

‘we wouldn’t have been able to do pandora papers without it’: the powerful platform behind icij’s biggest investigations, by tracie mauriello.

Accountability

Confronting the nexus of power and money, pandora papers inspires crime thriller, by fergus shiel, april 3, 2023.

Offshore secrecy

Who helps russian oligarchs secretly buy jets, yachts and other luxury playthings, by will fitzgibbon, april 11, 2022.

The Land Lords

November 3, 2021.

Environment

As a poisoned town sought justice, top chemical giant executive moved millions to tax havens, october 5, 2021.

LEGION OF CHRIST

As catholic order fought sex abuse claims, secret trusts devoted to it poured millions into american rental properties, by spencer woodman.

PLUNDERED ANTIQUITIES

From temples to offshore trusts, a hunt for cambodia’s looted heritage leads to top museums, by malia politzer.

THE ENABLER

How america’s biggest law firm drives global wealth into tax havens, by sydney p. freedberg, october 4, 2021.

US ENFORCEMENT

Rogue americans shielded money offshore, eluding victims and criminal investigators.

Sri Lankan power couple piled up luxury homes, artworks and cash offshore as ruling family rose and rose

Leak reveals how Swiss wealth consultants shield global cast of suspects

October 3, 2021.

While foreign aid poured in, Jordan’s King Abdullah funnelled $100m through secret companies to buy luxury homes

• An investigation by more than 600 journalists from 150 news outlets has unearthed offshore dealings of 35 current and former world leaders and more than 300 other current and former public officials and politicians around the world.
• The offshore system continues to thrive despite decades of legislation, investigations and international agreements aimed at combating money laundering and tax dodging.
• South Dakota and more than a dozen U.S. states have become leaders in the business of selling financial secrecy — even as the U.S. blames smaller nations for enabling tax avoidance and dirty money flows.
• The Pandora Papers unmask the hidden owners of offshore companies, secret bank accounts, private jets, yachts, mansions and artworks by Picasso, Banksy and other masters.
• The biggest leak in ICIJ history contains 2.94 terabytes of confidential information from 14 offshore service providers

GIVE TO HELP US INVESTIGATE!

• Coverage from Pandora Papers

May 09, 2024

Chilean court dismisses pandora probe into deceased former president sebastián piñera.

Apr 22, 2024

New ethical guidelines for tax professionals announced following global scandals.

Apr 18, 2024

Uk freezes london property linked to putin ally after icij report, real estate.

Apr 09, 2024

Us prosecutors push to seize apartment tied to congolese president in luxury trump complex.

Feb 28, 2024

London property tied to putin ally remains untouched by sanctions.

Feb 13, 2024

Pakistan in political limbo after voters deliver rebuke of military, real estate.

Feb 09, 2024

Us takes aim at real estate money laundering.

Feb 06, 2024

Former malaysian finance minister charged following pandora papers revelations, learn about the pandora papers investigation data, major findings and more..

Oct 19, 2021

Frequently asked questions about the pandora papers and icij, global overview.

Offshore havens and hidden riches of world leaders and billionaires exposed in unprecedented leak

Oct 03, 2021, data journalism.

Pandora Papers: An offshore data tsunami

Pandora Papers by the numbers

Dec 06, 2021, want to know when we publish.

Help us change the world. Get our stories by email.

• Original Stories

Explore the original investigative stories at the heart of the investigation.

Oct 04, 2021, oct 05, 2021.

• Contact ICIJ

Do you have a story about corruption, fraud, or abuse of power?

See the global impact of the pandora papers revelations..

Dec 21, 2021

Pandora papers caps off 2021 with consequences felt around the globe.

Governments vow investigations within hours of Pandora Papers revelations

Chilean legislators impeach president after Pandora Papers revelations

Nov 09, 2021.

Denver museum to return looted relics to Cambodia after US moves to seize them

Nov 10, 2021.

Do you believe journalism can make a difference? For just $25 / month you can help expose the truth and hold the powerful to account.

The Pandora Papers sheds new light on the offshore secrets of Russia's oligarchs and elites.

An oligarch’s nephew, a tattoo artist and $700 million in secret transfers traced to a Putin ally

Apr 11, 2022, offshore expose.

ICIJ reveals more than 800 Russians behind secret companies in landmark expansion of public offshore database

The oligarch’s accountants: How PwC helped a Russian steel baron grow his offshore empire

• Recent investigations
• All projects

Swazi Secrets

Cyprus Confidential

Deforestation Inc.

Shadow Diplomats

Trafficking Inc.

Hidden treasures.

The Uber Files

Russia Archive

• Latest news
• More from ICIJ Impact All stories

May 03, 2024

Mexico’s president calls deadly human smuggling ‘unfortunate,’ shifts blame to us.

Mar 29, 2024

Cyprus and u.s. to form partnership to combat financial crime.

Pandora’s Box Lesson Summary and Explanation in English Class 7th

Back to: Karnataka Board Class 7th English Guide and Notes

Table of Contents

Pandora’s Box

This is a story about Epimetheus and Pandora. Epimetheus lacks a companion so Mercury brings Pandora to him. They live happily until Mercury asks them to keep a box. Pandora curiously opens the box even though Epimetheus asks her not to. This unleashes ugly creatures which bring sadness and pain to the world. But at last, they find hope in the box to heal the world too.

Epimetheus-  a lovely boy with everything except a companion 

Pandora – a girl that Mercury brings to be Epimetheus’s companion

Mercury – the messenger god

Epimetheus and Pandora

When the world was young, everything was bright and beautiful. There lived a lovely boy called Epimetheus during that time. He had everything except a companion.

One day he saw Mercury, the messenger god wearing a winged cap and winged heels, coming towards him. There was a beautiful girl called Pandora with him. Epimetheus joyfully welcomed Pandora.

Epimetheus and Pandora lived happily for some time. One evening, they saw Mercury again. He looked very tired and was carrying a huge box on his shoulder. Mercury would not tell them what was in the box. He only asked if he could leave it with them until he needed it again.

Pandora became curious about what was in the box. Epimetheus tried to make her leave it alone and come play with him, but she refused. When Epimetheus went out to play alone, Pandora went to the box to examine it.

Pandora Opens the Box

It was made of dark wood with a smiling head carved on top. A glittering gold string was tied around it. Pandora thought it would be okay to loosen the cord if she did not open the box. When the knot came undone, Pandora could hear whispers from the box. Sad voices asked her to have pity on them and free them from that dark prison.

Pandora really wanted to peep inside the box now. Just then she heard Epimetheus coming. She knew that he would want her to leave the box alone, so she opened the lid a little bit. 

Immediately, all kinds of ugly creatures flew out and filled the room. They stung Epimetheus and Pandora, and then flew out of the window to spread sadness and pain everywhere.

Epimetheus and Pandora had never felt sadness and pain. But after these things had stung them, they cried. Epimetheus blamed Pandora for all that was going on.

Suddenly they heard a sweet voice from the box which told them it would heal their wounds if they let it out. Epimetheus asked Pandora to open the box because there may be some good fairy who would help them.

It was good that she opened the box, because a little fairy, called Hope, spread her white wings, and came out. She touched all their wounds gently and then flew quickly through the open window, out into the world, to do the same thing for others.

This story shows us the dangers of being too curious. But it also tells us that no matter how bad a situation gets, hope persists.

Jotted Lines

A Collection Of Essays

Pandora’s Box (Film): Summary and Analysis

Summary: 

Lulu is a beautiful woman with a mysterious past. Raised by the drunkard Schigolch, a pimp and possibly her father, she becomes the mistress of a wealthy and respectable newspaper editor, Dr Ludwig Schön (Fritz Kortner). Schigolch introduces Lulu to Rodrigo Quast, who offers her a role in his variety show. Dr Schön gets engaged to his secretary, Charlotte. Hoping to keep Lulu despite his engagement, Dr Schön persuades his son Alwa to cast Lulu in his revue instead. Refusing to perform in front of Dr Schön’s fiancée, Lulu takes him backstage and seduces him at a rehearsal. Caught in the act, Dr Schön is socially disgraced and forced to marry Lulu. The Countess Geschwitz (Alice Roberts) is also attracted to Lulu. Things get out of hand when Dr Schön ‘catches’ Lulu with Schigolch at their wedding reception. Mistaking them for lovers, Dr Schön asks Lulu to shoot herself but it is he who gets killed. On trial for murder, Lulu escapes with Schigolch’s help, with Rodrigo Quast, Countess Geschwitz and Alwa as accomplices. The Marquis Casti-Piani recognises Lulu, on the run on a train. He blackmails and lures her into his ship, a gambling den. Alwa squanders his wealth. The Marquis shows Lulu’s pictures to an Egyptian brothel-owner. Sensing a deal, Lulu tricks Geschwitz and Quast into helping her as she escapes with Schigolch and Alwa on a boat. The starving trio drift to London on Christmas Eve. Hunger drives Lulu to prostitution, leading her to Jack the Ripper, who proves to be her final undoing. 

Pandora’s Box gets its title from the Greek myth in which Pandora unknowingly opens a box full of evils. Frank Wedekind’s two plays Erdgeist (The Spirit of the Earth, 1895) and Die Büchse der Pandora (1904) recast the mythical Pandora as Lulu, a woman who destroys men without intending to. The plays acquired enormous cultural significance as Germany struggled with rapid political, economic and social transformations during the Weimar Era (1919–33). Several theatrical and filmic adaptations of Wedekind’s plays emerged soon after they were published.1 Asta Nielsen starred in a 1923 silent version directed by Leopold Jessner, which was based on his own stage production of 1911. Such adaptations display a characteristic concern with modernity as a traumatic experience marked by a dangerous encounter with female Die Büchse der Pandora/Pandora’s Box (1929) 121 sexuality, a key trope of Weimar cinema. Together with Joyless Street (1925), Diary of Lost Girl (1929) and The Blue Angel (1930), Pandora’s Box is often cited as one of the most representative melodramas of the Weimar Era. Louise Brooks’ dark bobbed hair became a superlative icon of the New Woman, earning her the soubriquet of ‘the girl with the black helmet’. 2 Brooks published her recollections in several articles and interviews that revived her as a silent film star who acquired a cult following: ‘There was no Dietrich, there was no Garbo, there is only Louise Brooks’, remarked Henri Langlois in a comment that encapsulates her unrivalled appeal as an androgynous, sexually liberated flapper girl.3 

However, it is important to note that such celebration did not become the norm until the late fifties. A contemporary German review wrote Brooks off rather quickly: ‘Louise Brooks cannot act. She does not suffer. She does nothing’. 4 Though unflattering, this is a telling remark in that G. W. Pabst’s Lulu does not apologise for her actions – she is unafraid to seek what she desires, whether it is food, sex or money. For Wedekind, Lulu represents an uninhibited, animalistic sensuousness while for G. W. Pabst, she represents evil’s universal appeal. Both were drawn to Lulu precisely because she defied conventional definitions of evil: it is the reason why she is so alluring. Pabst’s film was significantly different from the earlier silent version: in Brooks’ words, ‘Only five years earlier the famous Danish actress Asta Nielsen had condensed Wedekind’s play into the moral prostitute film Loulou. There was no lesbianism in it, no incest. Loulou the man-eater devoured her sex victims – and then dropped dead in an acute attack of [moral] indigestion’.5 

Pabst wastes little time to begin the film with a tableau that immediately establishes Lulu’s extraordinary desirability. Lulu is the mistress of a middle-aged newspaper baron, Dr Schön. We first see her as a provocatively dressed woman who cavorts with a drunk, ageing Schigolch in a loose peignoir as he eyes her lecherously. It is clear that she has known Schigolch all her life. She sits in his lap with an easy familiarity and dances seductively in front of him as they reminisce about their past. She introduces Schigolch to the meter man outside her apartment as her ‘first patron’ in a turn of phrase that suggests that Schigolch is a pimp. As Dr Schön lets himself into their apartment, Lulu hides Schigolch as if he were a former lover. 

The entire exchange sets Lulu up as an object accessible to a range of men, irrespective of age, class or kinship. Schigolch is her symbolic father but he tries to claim her like an incestuous lover. Dr Schön is old enough to be her father but makes love to Lulu by the end of the first sequence. Incest is again apparent in a scene at their wedding reception, where, enraged at finding Schigolch on their nuptial bed, Dr Schön ironically hands her a pistol and orders her to kill herself. In a visible loss of power, the pistol – clearly a phallic symbol – goes off in Lulu’s hands, knocking Dr Schön dead. The resulting image defines Lulu as a femme fatale even as it positions Alwa as an infantile Oedipal son who usurps his father’s place. 

But Pabst does not leave it there. In a sequence that precedes the wedding, he is unabashed in his introduction of Countess Geschwitz as the woman who falls for Lulu. Geschwitz is the antithesis of Dr Schön’s fiancée, Charlotte, whose wispy blond hair and faraway look mark her as a sentimental icon of femininity. Geschwitz, on the other hand, is introduced as Alwa’s ‘buddy’; she is unafraid of male company. Her cropped hair mimics Lulu’s but the resemblance ends there. Unlike Lulu’s ebony, gleaming crown of hair, hers is blond and tightly curled, while her breeches and tight jacket highlight a tightly reined in masculine personality. Transfixed by Lulu as she sets eyes on her, there is no confusion about Geschwitz’s sexual desire; rather, the problem stems from her inability to express it clearly. To make matters worse, Lulu does not return her love. In Pabst’s hands, this encounter is never reduced to a self-congratulatory scene of lesbianism. Instead, it reveals the complex but ambiguous nature of Lulu’s sexual appeal, ironically noting Geschwitz’s powerlessness. Pabst layers these sequences with shots that capture Lulu’s innocence through her carefree movements and gestures; none of them openly solicit her lovers’ desire. They fall for her because of her sexual magnetism. 

Related Posts:

• Coffee (Movie): Summary & Analysis
• Night Of The Living Dead (1968): Summary, Analysis
• Fritz the Cat (Movie): Analysis
• Freaks (Movie): Summary, Explanation
• The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: Summary and Analysis
• The Lodger (Movie): Synopsis & Analysis

• Environment
• Information Science
• Social Issues
• Argumentative
• Cause and Effect
• Classification
• Compare and Contrast
• Descriptive
• Exemplification
• Informative
• Controversial
• Exploratory
• What Is an Essay
• Length of an Essay
• Generate Ideas
• Types of Essays
• Structuring an Essay
• Outline For Essay
• Essay Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Body of an Essay
• Writing a Conclusion
• Essay Writing Tips
• Drafting an Essay
• Revision Process
• Fix a Broken Essay
• Format of an Essay
• Essay Examples
• Essay Checklist
• Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Research Paper
• Write My Research Paper
• Write My Essay
• Custom Essay Writing Service
• Admission Essay Writing Service
• Pay for Essay
• Academic Ghostwriting
• Write My Book Report
• Case Study Writing Service
• Dissertation Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Lab Report Writing Service
• Do My Assignment
• Buy College Papers
• Capstone Project Writing Service
• Buy Research Paper
• Custom Essays for Sale

Can’t find a perfect paper?

• Free Essay Samples
• Greek Mythology

Pandora's Box Myth

Updated 16 September 2022

Subject Greek Mythology

Downloads 40

Category Literature

Topic Pandora'S Box

In Greek mythology, Pandora's box is a symbol of the fate of mankind.

The myth is linked to an artifact that was left to the care of Pandora by her husband, Hesiod. It is said that she opened it out of curiosity, releasing curses on mankind.

The myth of Pandora's box

The myth of Pandora's box is an ancient story. Zeus gave Pandora a box, but told her not to open it. However, Zeus's intention was always for her to open it, and she was tempted by its contents. Now, the story of Pandora's Box is a popular subject of study, especially among scholars.

The myth of Pandora's box has many interpretations. Many writers have written about the story. Some writers have interpreted it to be a story about hopelessness and despair. Others, such as poet Samuel Phelps Leland, have written lyrical poems that reflect the story.

In the myth, Pandora was the first woman created by Zeus as a punishment for humanity. In the box, Zeus put all the evil that could exist in the world. She was also told never to open the box. If she did, she would let all the evil out into the world. However, she never opened the box, and it still contains a portion of hope.

Meaning of Pandora's jar

The meaning of Pandora's box is that a person who makes decisions without considering the consequences can create problems for themselves and the world. It is said that the Greek god Zeus entrusted Pandora with a box, which once opened would let out evil entities into the world. These entities included greed, hatred, disease, war, and poverty. But one good thing was left behind: hope. Though the box was filled with evil, the good things that the gods had created for humanity were left inside, including the possibility of peace and happiness.

According to Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman ever created. She had a box of evil and misery, and when she opened it, the evils flew into the world, but the box contained hope. Today, the box has come to symbolize endless complications, but it is also a timeless allegory of the tragedies that the world has faced. In Greek mythology, Pandora was created as punishment for Prometheus' sin, when he stole the fire from the Gods. As punishment, the Gods gave Pandora a box of evils, but she refused to open it, and this is where the box came from.

Meaning of Pandora's box as metaphor for world's tragedies

The story of Pandora's box is a familiar one, and has often been referred to in the news. It is also a popular metaphor for violence and destruction. The original myth of the phallic witch is a bit different, with the gods allowing Pandora to open the box and let the contents fall out.

Initially, the box represents personal and familial secrets. Eventually, these secrets become vital parts of relationships. But when a person experiences a traumatic event, the secrecy of the object world compounds the trauma. This is because the person is afraid to open the box and is unsure of reality. In addition, the person may worry about the well-being of objects they love.

The story of Pandora's box

The story of Pandora's box is one of the most famous in ancient Greek mythology. The Greek myth revolves around a woman named Pandora who received a gift from the god Zeus. The gift Pandora received was a gift that ended the Golden Age of humankind. The story is considered one of the most descriptive myths about human behaviour. It also explains the root causes of human tragedies. The story of Pandora's box has captivated the imagination of many artists throughout the centuries and has appeared in different art forms.

Meaning of Pandora's jar as metaphor for world's tragedies

The story of Pandora's jar was first told in the Greek mythology. The god Zeus gave Pandora a beautiful gift, which was not to be opened. However, she ignored his advice and opened the box, unleashing the world's tragedies. The story suggests that curiosity and humanity are in a constant struggle and giving in to curiosity can be disastrous.

Pandora's innocence is often interpreted as an extension of human childish curiosity. This innocence is illustrated in many of the illustrations of the story. Arthur Rackham's Little Pandora depicts a young girl opening an ornamental box. Frederick Stuart Church's famous engraving of a young girl opening a box illustrates this point. Odilon Redon's painting of naked Pandora in 1914 is also a great example of this concept.

Pandora's jar was also a metaphor for human and world tragedies. According to the Greek myth, Zeus created Pandora to punish mankind for disobeying him. Hephaestus, Zeus' messenger, created Pandora for this purpose. The jar was filled with unspecified evils and was released into the world. This punishment also taught humans not to disobey the gods.

Deadline is approaching?

Wait no more. Let us write you an essay from scratch

Related Essays

Related topics.

Find Out the Cost of Your Paper

Type your email

By clicking “Submit”, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy policy. Sometimes you will receive account related emails.