What is Pandora's box in Greek mythology, and which poem by Hesiod is it associated with?

Pandora's box is an artifact in Greek mythology connected to the myth of Pandora, as told in Hesiod's poem "Works and Days," written around 700 B.C. According to the myth, Pandora's curiosity led her to open a container, releasing curses upon humanity.

What were the original contents released from Pandora's container, and what was left behind?

Hesiod's account states that Pandora's opening of the container released curses upon mankind, including sickness, death, and other unspecified evils. After she hastily closed the container, only one thing remained inside, which is typically translated as Hope, though it could also carry the meaning of deceptive expectation.

How has the term 'Pandora's box' been mistranslated over time?

The word originally used in Hesiod's account for the container was a large storage jar, specifically a pithos. This term was later mistranslated as 'pyxis,' meaning 'box,' a change usually attributed to the 16th-century humanist Erasmus.

What are the common modern interpretations of the idiom 'to open a Pandora's box'?

The idiom 'to open a Pandora's box' has evolved to mean initiating an action that leads to numerous unforeseen problems. It can also signify starting something that seems valuable but ultimately proves to be a curse, or more colloquially, opening a 'can of worms'.

What was the context for Erasmus' mistranslation of 'pithos' to 'pyxis'?

Erasmus included the story of Pandora in his collection of proverbs, the Adagia, published in 1508. He used the story to illustrate the Latin saying 'Malo accepto stultus sapit,' which means that a fool becomes wise through experiencing trouble.

According to Hesiod, why did Zeus give Pandora to Epimetheus?

Zeus presented Pandora to Epimetheus as a form of vengeance against Prometheus, who had stolen fire from heaven. Epimetheus, whose name means 'Afterthought,' accepted Pandora despite warnings, and it was through her actions that evils were released into the world.

What is the scholarly debate surrounding the interpretation of 'elpis' (hope) in Pandora's myth?

A significant interpretive challenge in Hesiodic scholarship concerns whether the hope imprisoned within the jar of evils is a benefit or a further curse for humanity. Scholars debate whether 'elpis' should be translated as 'hope' or 'expectation,' and whether the jar preserves hope for humans or keeps it away from them.

What is the pessimistic interpretation of Pandora's myth regarding hope?

A pessimistic view suggests that if the jar is seen as a prison, then hope, as an expectation of good, is withheld from humanity. This interpretation implies that while all evils were released, the one potential mitigating force, hope, remains locked away, leaving humanity to face their troubles without it.

What is the optimistic interpretation of Pandora's myth regarding hope?

An optimistic interpretation suggests that the jar, while a prison for evils, becomes a residence for Hope, preserving it as a benefit for humans. This view posits that life is not entirely without hope, and humanity retains the potential to overcome challenges, even if they remain inherently human.

How did the container's nature, a 'pithos,' relate to Pandora herself?

Many scholars observe a close analogy between Pandora, who was created from clay, and the clay jar (pithos) from which evils were dispensed. This connection highlights themes of creation, containment, and the origin of human suffering.

What alternative accounts of containers holding blessings and evils exist in Greek mythology?

Besides Hesiod's account, Homer's *Iliad* mentions two urns in Zeus's palace containing evil and good gifts, mixed by Zeus to determine a person's fortune. The poet Theognis of Megara also spoke of blessings and evils bestowed upon humanity, though his focus was on the departure of positive forces like Trust and Restraint, leaving only hope.

What did the Aesopic fable recorded by Babrius suggest about the jar's contents?

In a version of the myth recorded by Babrius, the gods sent a jar containing blessings to humans. However, a generic 'foolish man' opened it out of curiosity, releasing the blessings. Only hope remained, promising to bestow the good things that had gone away.

How did Renaissance writers like Alciato and Faerno engage with the Pandora myth?

Andrea Alciato alluded to the story in his *Emblemata*, depicting Hope seated on a jar from which evils had escaped. Gabriele Faerno's poem also discussed the origin of hope as the sole remaining 'universal blessing' after others had fled from the jar.

What did Giulio Bonasone's engraving depict regarding the opening of Pandora's jar?

Giulio Bonasone's 16th-century engraving showed Epimetheus, Pandora's husband, lifting the lid of a large storage jar. Female representations of Roman virtues like security, harmony, fairness, mercy, freedom, happiness, peace, worth, and joy were shown flying upwards, while Hope remained on the lip.

What is the significance of the inscription 'NESCITUR IGNESCITUR' found on the casket in Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting?

The inscription 'NESCITUR IGNESCITUR' on the casket in Rossetti's painting means 'unknown it burns.' This phrase likely relates to the mysterious and potentially dangerous nature of the contents, possibly symbolizing knowledge or desires that, once unleashed, have a powerful and perhaps destructive effect.

How has the blame for opening Pandora's box shifted in different interpretations?

While Hesiod's account focuses on Pandora's curiosity, later interpretations, particularly in Renaissance art and 18th-century French plays, have shifted the blame. Epimetheus is sometimes depicted as the one opening the jar, and in the plays, the trickster god Mercury is often implicated in contriving mankind's subversion.

What specific evils were unleashed in Alain-René Lesage's 1721 play 'Pandora's Box'?

In Lesage's play, Mercury, disguised as Harlequin, unleashes evils such as ambition, competition, greed, envy, jealousy, hatred, injustice, treachery, and ill-health upon Pandora's village, causing social disruption.

What was the subtitle of Pierre Brumoy's 1743 play about Pandora's Box?

Pierre Brumoy's three-act satirical verse comedy was subtitled 'curiosity punished' (la curiosité punie), highlighting the negative consequences of seeking forbidden knowledge or engaging in actions driven by curiosity.

What form did two English poems about Pandora's opening of the box take?

Two English poems, one by Frank Sayers (1790) and another by Samuel Phelps Leland (1839-1910), were presented as monologues or monodramas. These poems explored Pandora's actions and their consequences through a single speaker's perspective, often with lyrical interludes.

What did Pandora release in Frank Sayers' monodrama, and what was left to comfort her?

In Frank Sayers' 1790 monodrama, Pandora, after opening the casket she carried, released strife, care, pride, hatred, and despair. At the end of the recitation, only the voice of Hope remained to comfort her.

What was the consequence of Pandora shutting the lid too early in Samuel Phelps Leland's poem?

In Samuel Phelps Leland's poem, Pandora's premature closing of the lid meant that she 'let loose all curses on mankind Without a hope to mitigate their pain.' This resulted in a situation where humanity was left with all the evils but without the solace of hope.

How does Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting of Pandora relate to the dilemma of hope?

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 1869-71 painting of Pandora holding the box, accompanied by his sonnet, highlights the dilemma of whether hope, if still pent within the box, is alive or dead. The painting itself features a fiery halo streaming from the opening casket, inscribed with the motto 'unknown it burns,' suggesting the ambiguous nature of unleashed forces.

What does the presence of a sphinx in Lawrence Alma-Tadema's watercolor of Pandora suggest?

The molded sphinx on the urn in Alma-Tadema's watercolor, which Pandora gazes at with curiosity, suggests a personality on the verge of gaining harmful knowledge. The sphinx, often associated with the femme fatale in iconography, implies that Pandora is approaching a point of transformation where her innocence might be negated.

What is the significance of the pithos in ancient Greek burial practices?

Pithoi, the large storage jars that were the original 'containers' in the Pandora myth, were also used ritually as burial containers for human bodies. It was believed that souls escaped from these jars and necessarily returned to them.

What is the scholarly view on the adjective 'arrektoisi' (unbreakable) applied to Pandora's jar?

Scholars note that the adjective 'arrektoisi,' meaning unbreakable, is typically applied to structures meant to contain or restrain, such as metal fetters in Homeric texts. This characteristic supports the interpretation of the jar as a prison, whether for evils or for hope, emphasizing its role in controlling what is inside.

What does the phrase 'moune Elpis' suggest in a minority interpretation of the Pandora myth?

In a minority interpretation, the phrase 'moune Elpis,' usually meaning 'only hope,' is construed as 'empty hope' or 'baseless hope.' This suggests that humanity is not only plagued by evils but also persists in a futile hope for improvement, making the myth's tone even more pessimistic.

What is the symbolic meaning of Pandora's box as a 'present which seems valuable but in reality is a curse'?

This interpretation of Pandora's box highlights its deceptive nature. It suggests that something initially perceived as a gift or a source of benefit can ultimately bring about great troubles or misfortune, embodying a hidden danger or a curse disguised as a blessing.

What was the role of Mercury in the French play 'La Boîte de Pandore' by Alain-René Lesage?

In Lesage's play, Mercury assumes the guise of Harlequin and is sent to check if Pandora has opened the box. He actively stirs up disruption in her village, unleashing various evils and causing social breakdown, thereby playing a direct role in the myth's unfolding.

What specific evils were personified in Pierre Brumoy's play 'Pandora's Box'?

Brumoy's play featured seven flatterers, including the Genius of Honours, Pleasures, Riches, Gaming, Taste, Fashion, and False Knowledge. These were followed by seven bringers of evil: envy, remorse, avarice, poverty, scorn, ignorance, and inconstancy, all unleashed from Pandora's box.

What is the connection between Pandora and the Sphinx in Lawrence Alma-Tadema's painting?

In Alma-Tadema's watercolor, a molded sphinx is placed on the unopened lid of Pandora's urn, turned towards her. This symbolizes Pandora's curiosity and her potential to gain harmful knowledge, linking her to the enigmatic and often dangerous nature associated with sphinxes in mythology.

What does the phrase 'he whom mistakes made wise' refer to in Hesiod's account?

This phrase refers to Epimetheus, whose name means 'Afterthought.' It highlights his characteristic of acting without proper consideration, leading to mistakes that ultimately teach him a lesson, particularly in the context of accepting Pandora and her jar.

What is the significance of the 'ages of man' in relation to Greek mythology and the concept of a Golden Age?

The 'ages of man' concept, often discussed in Greek mythology, describes a progression of human eras, beginning with a utopian Golden Age. This contrasts with later ages marked by increasing hardship and the introduction of evils, a theme echoed in the Pandora myth where the Golden Age of humanity ends with the release of troubles.

What role do the 'Keres' play in Greek mythology, and how might they relate to Pandora's box?

The Keres were female spirits of violent or cruel death in Greek mythology. While not explicitly mentioned as being in Pandora's box, they represent the kind of deadly evils that were unleashed upon humanity, contributing to the suffering and mortality that followed the box's opening.

What is the meaning of 'hubris' in the context of Greek mythology, and how might it relate to Pandora's actions?

Hubris refers to excessive pride or defiance towards the gods, often leading to downfall. Pandora's act of opening the box out of curiosity, despite it being left in her care, could be interpreted as a form of hubris, challenging divine order and resulting in negative consequences for humanity.

What is the significance of 'kleos' in Greek heroic culture, and how does it contrast with the outcome of Pandora's actions?

Kleos refers to glory or renown, often achieved through great deeds, particularly in battle or heroic endeavors. While heroes sought kleos, Pandora's action, driven by curiosity, brought about widespread suffering rather than glory, marking a contrast between heroic ambition and the consequences of unchecked human desire.

What is the concept of 'xenia' in ancient Greece, and how might it be relevant to the Pandora myth?

Xenia is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality, the guest-host relationship. While not directly part of the Pandora myth, the arrival of Pandora, a stranger, into Epimetheus's household touches upon themes of hospitality and trust, which are central to xenia.

What does the term 'katabasis' refer to in Greek mythology, and how does it relate to the underworld?

Katabasis refers to a journey into the underworld or the realm of the dead. Many Greek heroes, such as Odysseus and Heracles, undertook katabases, interacting with the spirits and deities of the underworld, which is a realm associated with the evils released from Pandora's box.

What is the symbolic meaning of Pandora's box as a 'source of great and unexpected troubles'?

This interpretation emphasizes the unforeseen and overwhelming nature of the problems that arise from opening Pandora's box. It signifies an action or situation that, once initiated, unleashes a cascade of difficulties that are hard to predict or manage.

What was the nature of the evils released from Pandora's box, according to the French plays of the 18th century?

The French plays focused on abstract evils that disrupted social harmony, such as ambition, greed, envy, jealousy, hatred, injustice, and treachery. These were often personified as characters, highlighting the social and psychological impact of these vices.

What is the significance of the 'golden mean' in Greek philosophy, and how might it contrast with Pandora's actions?

The 'golden mean' in Greek philosophy advocates for moderation and avoiding extremes. Pandora's act of opening the box out of curiosity, an unchecked desire, can be seen as a deviation from this principle, leading to extreme negative consequences rather than a balanced approach to life.

Pandora S Box Wiki: Pandora's Legacy: Unveiling the Myth of Hope and Havoc

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The Mythos

Origins in Hesiod

The myth of Pandora's Box originates in the ancient Greek poet Hesiod's epic poem, Works and Days, dating back to approximately 700 B.C.^[1] According to Hesiod, Zeus, the king of the gods, presented Pandora to Epimetheus, the brother of Prometheus. Pandora, whose name means "all-gifted," was crafted by the gods and endowed with various attributes. Curiosity led her to open a large storage jar, a pithos, which had been entrusted to her care.

Release of Evils

Upon opening the pithos, Pandora inadvertently released all the evils that plague humanity into the world. These included sickness, death, toil, and countless other unspecified miseries.^[4] She managed to close the lid just in time, preventing one final entity from escaping.

The Sole Remnant: Hope

The single entity left within the jar was elpis, typically translated as "Hope." However, the precise meaning of elpis is debated; it could signify hopeful expectation or, conversely, deceptive expectation.^[5] This ambiguity has led to varied interpretations of the myth's ultimate message.

The Artifact: Pithos vs. Pyxis

The Original Pithos

In Hesiod's original account, the container was not a box but a large storage jar known as a pithos (pithoi in plural).^[8] These were common in ancient Greece for storing wine, oil, grain, or even for ritualistic burial purposes.^[10] Scholars note a symbolic connection between Pandora, who was made from clay, and the clay jar that dispensed evils.

The Mistranslation

The common term "Pandora's Box" stems from a mistranslation by the 16th-century humanist Erasmus. In his Latin retelling of the myth, he substituted the Greek pithos with the Latin pyxis, meaning "box."^[12] This linguistic shift has persisted through centuries of retelling.

Ancient Context

The pithos itself held ritualistic significance in Greek culture, sometimes serving as a grave-jar from which souls were believed to escape and return. This association may have influenced the myth's narrative, linking the jar to the release of human afflictions.^[10]

The Contents: Evils and Hope

The Unleashed Troubles

Hesiod states that countless evils escaped the jar, including sickness, death, and other unspecified afflictions.^[4] These evils represent the fundamental hardships and sufferings inherent in the human condition.

The Ambiguity of Hope

The crucial element left behind is elpis. Its translation as "Hope" is common, but scholars debate whether this represents a genuine comfort or a final, deceptive torment.^[5] Does hope remain to mitigate the evils, or is it a false promise that prolongs suffering?

Interpretations vary:

Pessimistic View: Hope is a cruel illusion, keeping humanity trapped in suffering by offering false comfort. Nietzsche famously argued that hope prolongs torment.^[30]
Optimistic View: Hope is a genuine solace, preserved within the jar as a means for humanity to endure the released evils.^[31]
Neutral View: Elpis simply means "expectation," which could be good or bad, leaving its ultimate value to context.

Etymology: The Word's Journey

From Pithos to Pyxis

The original Greek term for the container was pithos, a large storage jar. This word was later mistranslated as pyxis (a box) by Erasmus in the 16th century.^[12] This linguistic shift cemented the image of a "box" in popular consciousness.

Erasmus' Context

Erasmus used the story in his collection of proverbs, Adagia, to illustrate the Latin saying Malo accepto stultus sapit ("From experiencing trouble a fool is made wise").^[13] His version also shifted the opening of the container to Epimetheus, whose name means "afterthought," highlighting his belated wisdom.

Interpretations: Blame and Symbolism

Fixing the Blame

While Hesiod's narrative focuses on Pandora's curiosity, later interpretations, particularly in Renaissance art and literature, often shifted the blame to Epimetheus, Pandora's husband.^[33] Engravings by artists like Giulio Bonasone and Sébastien Le Clerc depict Epimetheus as the one opening the jar, emphasizing his "afterthought" nature.

Symbolic Meanings

The myth serves as a powerful metaphor for the double-edged nature of curiosity and knowledge. Opening Pandora's Box signifies initiating an action with unforeseen and often negative consequences. Yet, the presence of hope suggests resilience and the possibility of overcoming adversity.^{[citation needed]}

Cultural Resonance

The idiom "opening Pandora's box" has entered modern language, meaning to create a source of great and unexpected troubles or to unleash a cascade of problems.^[6] It is a potent symbol of unintended consequences and the complex relationship between human actions and their outcomes.

Artistic Depictions

Renaissance and Beyond

Throughout history, artists have been captivated by the myth. Renaissance artists like Nicolò dell'Abate and Giulio Bonasone depicted Pandora and Epimetheus with the jar, often exploring themes of curiosity and consequence.^[19]

Romantic and Victorian Eras

Later artists such as John William Waterhouse (1871) and Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1869-71) focused more intensely on Pandora herself, portraying her with expressive gazes and ambiguous emotions, reflecting the complex symbolism of the myth.^[43] Lawrence Alma-Tadema's 1881 watercolor captures Pandora with a look of "animal curiosity."^[44]

Enigmatic Representations

Some modern interpretations, like René Magritte's 1951 work titled "Pandora's Box," continue the tradition of enigmatic portrayals, leaving the viewer to ponder the deeper meanings of knowledge, curiosity, and their potential outcomes.^[37]

Theatrical Interpretations

18th Century French Plays

In the early 18th century, several French plays titled "La Boîte de Pandore" (Pandora's Box) emerged. These works, often satirical, explored the social and human effects of the evils released from the box, frequently shifting the narrative focus from Pandora to the disruptive passions unleashed.^[38]

Themes of Disruption

Plays by Alain-René Lesage (1721), Philippe Poisson (1729), and Pierre Brumoy (1743) depicted the release of vices like ambition, greed, envy, and ill-health. These theatrical interpretations emphasized how these abstract evils could subvert societal harmony and individual innocence.^[39]^[40]

Poetic Echoes

Monologues and Reflections

English poets like Frank Sayers (1790) and Samuel Phelps Leland (1839-1910) penned monologues exploring Pandora's actions and their consequences. Sayers' work features Pandora releasing strife and despair, with only Hope remaining to comfort her.^[41] Leland's version tragically notes that Pandora shut the lid too early, trapping all evils without hope.

Rossetti's Sonnet

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting of Pandora inspired a sonnet that reflects on the subversion of divine gifts into ill fortune. The poem questions whether Hope, trapped within the casket, remains alive or dead, mirroring the myth's central ambiguity.^[43]

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References

Schlegel and Weinfield, "Introduction to Hesiod" p. 6

Meagher 2314, p. 148

William Watson Baker, The Adages of Erasmus, University of Toronto 2001, 1 i 31, p. 32

Though Pandora was not a subject of medieval art, Dora Panofsky and Erwin Panofsky examined the post-Renaissance mythos, see Bibliography

Thus Athanassakis 1983 in his commentary ad Works 96.

Metamorphoses d'Ovide en rondeaux (1714 edition), "Pandore", pp. 10â11

Digital Museum

Rossetti Archive

A full list of references for this article are available at the Pandora's box Wikipedia page

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Pandora's Legacy

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

The Mythos 🏺

📜 Origins in Hesiod

🌪️ Release of Evils

🌟 The Sole Remnant: Hope

The Artifact: Pithos vs. Pyxis 🏺

🏺 The Original Pithos

📦 The Mistranslation

🏛️ Ancient Context

The Contents: Evils and Hope ❓

🌪️ The Unleashed Troubles

🌟 The Ambiguity of Hope

Etymology: The Word's Journey 🗣️

🇬🇷 From Pithos to Pyxis

📚 Erasmus' Context

Interpretations: Blame and Symbolism 🤔

⚖️ Fixing the Blame

💡 Symbolic Meanings

🎭 Cultural Resonance

Artistic Depictions 🎨

🖼️ Renaissance and Beyond

🖌️ Romantic and Victorian Eras

🤔 Enigmatic Representations

Theatrical Interpretations 🎭

🇫🇷 18th Century French Plays

🎭 Themes of Disruption

Poetic Echoes ✍️

🎤 Monologues and Reflections

❤️ Rossetti's Sonnet

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Mythos

Origins in Hesiod

Release of Evils

The Sole Remnant: Hope

The Artifact: Pithos vs. Pyxis

The Original Pithos

The Mistranslation

Ancient Context

The Contents: Evils and Hope

The Unleashed Troubles

The Ambiguity of Hope

Etymology: The Word's Journey

From Pithos to Pyxis

Erasmus' Context

Interpretations: Blame and Symbolism

Fixing the Blame

Symbolic Meanings

Cultural Resonance

Artistic Depictions

Renaissance and Beyond

Romantic and Victorian Eras

Enigmatic Representations

Theatrical Interpretations

18th Century French Plays

Themes of Disruption

Poetic Echoes

Monologues and Reflections

Rossetti's Sonnet

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice