AboutTed Nesbitt Expertise I can answer questions related to classical Greek and Roman mythologies, as well as the myths and folklore of other regions [Norse, Egyptian, Mayan, Incan, etc.]
Experience I am a reference librarian at a four-year liberal arts college. For the last ten years, I have been an Allexpert volunteer in the areas of grammar and writing, poetry, literature, etymology, and politics.
Education/Credentials Master's degrees in philosophy, English, and library/information sciences.
Question For my "Great Brain Report" at school (6th grade, Dwyer Middle School, California), I need to ask questions of an expert to complete my report on Pandora. I would like to ask:
1. Pandora seems remarkable similar to Eve. Can you comment?
2. Why is Pandora "the sender of gifts" when she released such evil into the world?
3. Did she die along with the other humans when the world was flooded or did she survive with Deucalion?
Thanks so much for helping me, Delaney Farrell
Answer Dear Delaney:
NEW COMMENT -- Delaney, I spent a long time finding the answers to your questions. I did the very best I could and I did it right away. Your question, however, remains in my Allexperts INBOX, because you have not taken a few seconds to complete the evaluation form that was attached to the message.
I really tried to help you. Please complete the form, so that your question will be removed from my inbox.
PLEASE.
Thank you.
Ted Nesbitt
What a great assignment! I will do my best to answer your questions.
1. Pandora and Eve. First, the most obvious comparison is that both of them were the first women to be created. In the Biblical version, Eve was created from a portion of Adam's body [his rib]. In Greek mythology, Pandora was created from water and earth. Second, there is a slight difference between their creation stories: Eve was created by ONE god; Pandora [the word means "all-giving"] was created by several gods, each of them giving her a special aspect, like beauty and intelligence. However, BOTH were created for the same reason: Man should not be alone; he needed a mate. Finally, both women were put into circumstances that, as humans, they could not survive. Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat the fruit. Epimetheus and Pandora were asked to look after a chest, whose contents were unknown. [Another version of Pandora's story relates that it was a "jar," not a chest.] They were told NOT to open the chest. Eve listened to the serpent; Pandora heard voices coming from the chest, asking her to "Let us out." You know the rest of the story.
Some people blame Eve for the downfall of man. They believe that she persuaded Adam and, therefore, corrupted him. [Other people take that view a step further, saying that women in general corrupt men.]
Hesiod, the myth teller who lived in 7th century BC, did not give a reason why Pandora opened the chest or jar. It may have been simply curiosity on her part OR she might have done it to be malicious. There are opposing points of view concerning Pandora's intentions.
2. The name "Pandora," meaning "all-giving" or "giver of all," is appropriate, because her actions DID give the world many evils. In most accounts of her story, the evils are never mentioned specifically. However, one particular thing did NOT escape from the chest/jar, and that was HOPE. So, although many evil things were released to plague the earth, HOPE remained for humanity.
3. Hesiod does not relate very much about what happened after Pandora's experience with the chest/jar. Myth-tellers from a later period added to her story. Apollodorus and Hyginus were two men who added to the myth. They wrote about the marriage of Pandora and Epimetheus. From that marriage came their daughter, Pyrrha, who married Deucalion. Both Pyrrha and Deucalion survived the flood, but Pandora is NOT mentioned.
Delaney, remember that myths change over time. Although Hesiod is considered to be the "authority" on various early Greek myths, he told stories that often had no ending. The story tellers who followed many years after Hesiod made changes to suit their desires. Therefore, other versions of Pandora's story exist, but they are questionable. It seems that Pandora's daughter and son-in-law escaped the deluge, but we just don't know what happened to Pandora.
I hope you do well on your report. You have a fascinating subject. You must have an excellent teacher, because your assignment is a very educational one.
