The story of Pandora is one of the most well-known Greek myths in the present day. Though widely misinterpreted in modern culture, Hesiod’s dramatic image of Pandora breaking the seal on a jar full of evils still fuels many debates. Explanations of her character, her motives, and what particular aspects of the story may represent vary widely between readers.
Even with such a broad variety of interpretations, few are so forgiving as to say that Pandora had innocent motives. The article The Mind of a Bitch: Pandora's Motive and Intent in the Erga, written by B. M. Wolkow, explores the traits bestowed on Pandora by the gods and investigates her aim in opening the jar given to her by Zeus. Wolkow stresses the idea that Pandora is not an isolated …show more content…
Pandora, being the first woman, is not immune to these accusations. Wolkow argues that understanding these archetypal wives helps us better appreciate Pandora's own motivations in opening the jar of evils. The original Greek for the word "jar" in this context is "πίθος" or "pithos," which is a large jar used to store provisions such as grain. Wolkow argues that, based on structural implications and certain translations of the original text, one should assume Pandora was not informed of the jar's contents. Once that assumption is made, it becomes easy to connect the woman with the over-emphasized buttocks to the alluringly outfitted Pandora opening the jar simply for the sake of thieving gluttony (Wolkow 253-260).
However, some are less concerned with Pandora’s character and more interested in her jar and its contents. P. Walcot’s article, Pandora's jar, Erga 83-105, begins exploring that topic with an examination of the poet Hesiod’s intent. Walcot claims that Hesiod fixated on the tale of two brothers, Prometheus and Epimetheus, in order to communicate a moral to his own brother, Perses. That moral is obvious: Mind the advice given to you by your brother, or you will find yourself in the same position as
Even with such a broad variety of interpretations, few are so forgiving as to say that Pandora had innocent motives. The article The Mind of a Bitch: Pandora's Motive and Intent in the Erga, written by B. M. Wolkow, explores the traits bestowed on Pandora by the gods and investigates her aim in opening the jar given to her by Zeus. Wolkow stresses the idea that Pandora is not an isolated …show more content…
Pandora, being the first woman, is not immune to these accusations. Wolkow argues that understanding these archetypal wives helps us better appreciate Pandora's own motivations in opening the jar of evils. The original Greek for the word "jar" in this context is "πίθος" or "pithos," which is a large jar used to store provisions such as grain. Wolkow argues that, based on structural implications and certain translations of the original text, one should assume Pandora was not informed of the jar's contents. Once that assumption is made, it becomes easy to connect the woman with the over-emphasized buttocks to the alluringly outfitted Pandora opening the jar simply for the sake of thieving gluttony (Wolkow 253-260).
However, some are less concerned with Pandora’s character and more interested in her jar and its contents. P. Walcot’s article, Pandora's jar, Erga 83-105, begins exploring that topic with an examination of the poet Hesiod’s intent. Walcot claims that Hesiod fixated on the tale of two brothers, Prometheus and Epimetheus, in order to communicate a moral to his own brother, Perses. That moral is obvious: Mind the advice given to you by your brother, or you will find yourself in the same position as