Pandora

’s Box Essay, Research Paper

Pandora

Before earth and sea and heven were created all things wore one aspect, to which we give the name of Chaos-a confused and shapeless mass, nothing but dead weight, in which, however, slumbered the seeds of things (Pandora 12). Earth, sea, and air were all mixed up together; so the earth was not solid, the sea was not fluid, and the air was not transparent (Pandora 12). God and Nature at last interposed, and put on end to this dicord, separating earth from sea, and heaven from both ( Pandora 12). The fiery part, being the lightest, sprang up,and formed the skies; the air was next in weight and place ( Pandora 12). The earth, beging heavier, sank below; and the water took the lowest place, heavier, sank below; and the water took the lowest place and buoyed the earth ( Pandora 12).

A nobler animal was wanted, and a man was made ( Pandora 12).

It is not know whether the creator made him of divine materials, or whether in the earth, so lately ( Pandora 12). Separated from heaven, there lurked still some heavenly seeds (Pandora 12). Promptheus took some of this earth, and kneading it up with water, made man in the image of the gods ( Pandora 12). He gave him an upright stature, so that he could gazes on the stars ( Pandora 12).

Pandora in greek mythology she was the first woman ( Evslin 62). She was created out of clay by Hephaestus, by order of Zeus ( Evslin 62). For punishment for all men after Prometheus had stolen fire from the heavens in defiance of the gods ( Evslin 62). Her name, meaning “all gift” signified the qualities conferred on her by the Olympian deities; beauty by Aphrodite, feminine skills and arts by Athena, and speech and cumming by Hermes ( Evslin 62). For her dowry she was furnished with a magic jar containing every human evil and sinkness( Evslin 62).

Pandora was sent first to Prometheus; who rejected her, but she was welcomed by his brother Epimetheus ( Evslin 62). He married her despite the warming not to accept gifts from the gods ( Evslin 62). Unable to resist curiosity Pandora opened the jar, releasing all the sorrows and misfortunes that have afflicted humanity ever since ( Evslin 62). By the times they had managed to close the jar, only Hope was saved ( Evslin 62). Ironically, even this proved to be a mixed blessing, for Hope could deceive as well as give cheer ( Evslin 62).

The world being thus furnished with inhabitants, the first age was an age of innocence and happinese, called the Golden Age ( Pandora 14). Truth and right prevailed, though not enforced by law, nor was there any magistrate to threaten or punish ( Pandora 14). The forest had not yet been robbed of its trees to furish timbers for vessels nor had men built fortification round their towns ( Pandora 14). There were no such things as swords, spears, or helmets ( Pandora 14). The earth brought forth all things necessary for man without his labor in ploughing or sawing ( Pandora 14). Perpetual spring reigned, flowers sprang up without seeds, the rivers flowed with milk and wine, and yellow honey distilled from the oaks( Pandora 14).

Then succeeded the Silver Age, infevior to the golden, but better than that of the brass ( Pandora 14). Jupiter shortened the spring, and divided the year into seasons ( Pandora 14). Then, first men had to endure the extrems of heat and cold, and house became necessary ( Pandora 14). Caves were the first dwelling, and leafy coverts of the woods, and huts woven of twigs (Pandora 14). Crops would no longer grow without planting ( Pandora 14).