THE Pandora's box it is an extraordinary object that is part of Greek mythology.
It is a box where the gods have placed all the misfortunes of the world, including war, discord, diseases of the body and soul. However, there was only one gift in her: hope.
Meaning
The Pandora's Box myth explains the creation of women, their strengths and weaknesses, as well as all the evils in the world.
Since its origin, the myth has a social character. In this case, Pandora's Box came to represent the evil that can come from it, disobedience and curiosity that harm human beings.
The Story of Myth
The titan Prometheus, defender of humanity and known for his intelligence, was responsible for stealing the fire from Zeus and deliver it to mortals. Thus, he ensured the superiority of men over animals.
But fire was exclusive to the gods and Zeus, lord of men and supreme mandatary of the gods who inhabited Mount Olympus. Zeus had forbidden the fire to be handed over to mankind, and so he wanted revenge.
With the help of all the gods, Zeus charged Hephaestus, god of fire and metals, and Athena, goddess of justice and wisdom, of creating Pandora. This would be the first woman to live with men on Earth.
Pandora received qualities such as grace, beauty, intelligence, patience, gentleness, skill in dance and crafts.
Before she was sent to Earth, Zeus gave her a box with the recommendation that it should not be opened.
This box contained all the misfortunes of the world: war, discord, hatred, envy, diseases of body and soul, as well as hope.
Pandora could not resist curiosity and, opening the box, released all evil. Repentant, she closed it again, holding on to hope.
The myth of the pandora's box was spread through the work "The Works and the Days", of Hesiod. Because the work of this Greek poet from the 8th century BC Ç. have been transmitted orally, there is no precision about this myth.
Read too:
- Greek mythology
- Prometheus in Chains
