Pandora's Box

There is one story in Greek mythology that really stands out to me. It's called Pandora's Box.

In the story, Titan Epimetheus grew to become very lonely(his brother, Prometheus, had just been chained for life to a rock, but that's a different story). The deities of Olympus came together to consider what they could do to make Epimetheus happy again. After much discussion, the deities decided that a companion for Epimetheus was the only solution to his unhappiness. The messenger god Hermes was sent to Earth to bring back some soft clay, which Hephaestus, the artist of the gods, formed into a beautiful figure. As Hephaestus sculpted, Zeus(the most powerful of the gods) told him ideas on how he thought the companion should look. Hephaestus finished his work, the soft clay now being a beautiful young woman with waves of soft golden hair, ivory white skin, and eyes bluer than the bluest Spring sky. The gods, seeing how truly lovely she was, each bestowed a gift to her. After the gifts had been given, they chose the name Pandora, which means "all-gifted". Pandora was brought down to Earth to be married to Epimetheus, and she was so loving and sweet, that Epimetheus grew happier and happier every day, forgetting that he had ever had sorrows to begin with.

Life would have continued on perfectly had it not been for Pandora's immense curiosity. In the house where Epimetheus and Pandora lived, there was a chest. The chest was always bound with a strong cord, and Pandora was not to touch it. Pandora begged and begged her husband to let her see inside, but Epimetheus stood strong. As time went on, Pandora became more curious, and with her curiosity never being satiated, she became depressed. At last, a day came when Epimetheus was out, and Pandora ran to the box and carefully untied the cord that fastened the lid. She opened the lid, and suddenly, an amazingly loud BUZZ and ROAR was heard. Out of the box came a swarm of little evil-looking creatures, some with stingers, some with sharp, sharp teeth. They were not at all pleasant to look at and Pandora quickly became very scared, especially when they creatures suddenly flew right of her house and into the world. As Pandora lay weeping and sobbing, Epimetheus and a group of men ran into the house. "Pandora!" Epimetheus cried. "You have let loose all of the evils and troubles into the world!" He did not stay to comfort Pandora, but ran back outside to try to stop the now constant wailing.

Pandora wept bitterly, out of fear from seeing the evil creatures, out of shame for make her husband so angry with her, and out of guilt for being so curious. As she lay there crying, she felt a soft hand touch her on the shoulder. Pandora looked around, and saw a silvery-white figure the same size as the evil creatures, except beautiful and kind. "I am still with you," said the little creature. "You can never be altogether unhappy if I stay; for my name is Hope." Hope landed on Pandora's wrist, and guided her to the window over looking the city. All the men, including Epimetheus, looked up at Pandora and seen that she was holding Hope for all to see. The wailing and quarreling stopped, and everyone went back to their homes.

The point of this story is that no matter how bad things seem, always remember that Hope is always around. This is a great moral, but I've always had one thing wrong with this story. Why is it so bad that Pandora was curious? Sure, she let all the evil into the world, but is it so wrong to wonder about things? Is it wrong to ponder? I agree with the point that too much knowledge can be a bad thing, but I really think the story was a bit harsh on Pandora. She was just thrust into a world she'd never been in before, of course she's going to question things! She is but a small child(mentally) who is awed by all the wonders of Earth.

But anyways, this is what's been on my mind.