The Myth of Pandora's Box

The Myth of Pandora's Box

By Miss Ower

A long time ago in Ancient Greece, there lived two

brothers named Epimetheus and Prometheus. They

were good gods with very kind hearts. Zeus, the most

powerful of all gods, had hidden fire from mankind,

never allowing them to make tools or cook their

food. Prometheus, with his kind heart, thought this

was unfair.

The Myth of Pandora's Box​

Prometheus was clever and knew that on the Isle

of Lemnos lived Hephaestos, who was a blacksmith.

Zeus allowed Hephaestos to use fire to make things

for the gods. Prometheus travelled to Lemnos and

stole the fire from Hephaestos and gave it to man (he

also taught humans writing, medicine, mathematics and science).

The Myth of Pandora's Box​

Multiple Choice

Epimetheus and Prometheus were...

• Gods & brothers with evil hearts

• Gods & brothers with kind hearts

• Evil gods

• Evil humans

Fill in the Blanks

What had Zeus hidden from mankind?

Multiple Choice

What did Prometheus think about Zeus hiding fire from mankind?

• He didn't care

• That it was unfair

• That it was a great idea

Multiple Choice

Hephaestos was a blacksmith. A blacksmith is someone who...

• Wears black clothes

• Makes things out of wood

• Makes things out of iron

Zeus was furious at Prometheus and as punishment,

chained him to the side of a cliff for many years.

Zeus decided that the humans also needed to be

punished for their lack of respect. Zeus was creative

when it came to revenge and came up

with a very cunning plan.

The Myth of Pandora's Box

He sculpted a woman out of clay. The goddess Athena breathed life into the clay and the woman came to life. Aphrodite made her beautiful and Hermes taught her how to be charming. Zeus called her

Pandora and sent her to Epimetheus, as he knew that he felt very lonely without his brother.

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Multiple Choice

How did Zeus punish Prometheus for giving fire to humans?

• He killed him

• He sent him away

• He chained him to a cliff

Multiple Choice

What did Zeus make?

• A boat

• A woman out of clay

• A woman out of fire

Epimetheus went to visit his brother, Prometheus, who

warned him not to accept any gifts from the gods.

However, Epimetheus was so charmed by the beautiful Pandora that he thought she could never cause any harm.

Zeus was pleased that his plan was working and as a

wedding gift, gave Pandora a small, locked box, that had a sign saying "DO NOT OPEN".

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Why would someone send her a box and not allow her to open it?!

Pandora could no longer stand the torture of not

knowing what was in the beautiful box.

She placed the box on the floor and took the small gold key. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and unlocked the box. She pulled the box open, expecting to see fine silk dresses and jewellery. But there was not one gold bracelet or fine silk dress in sight!

Instead, Zeus had packed terrible evils into the box and out poured sickness, death, poverty and sadness in the form of a horrible black mass.​

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Multiple Choice

Why did Epimetheus not listen to his brother's warning?

• Because he was charmed by Pandora's beauty

• Because he didn't trust his brother

• Because Zeus told him not to

Fill in the Blanks

What did the sign on the box say?

Multiple Choice

What was inside the box?

• Fine silk dresses

• Jewellery

• Joy & happiness

• Sadness and death

Pandora quickly slammed the lid shut, but it was

too late; the evils had already escaped into the world. Epimetheus heard her weeping and ran into the room to console her. Pandora could still hear a tiny voice inside the box, pleading to be released.

Epimetheus and Pandora thought that

nothing could be worse than the horrors that had already been released, so together they opened the box...

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Open Ended

What do you think is in the box?

Poll

Would you open the box again?

• Yes

• No

Out fluttered HOPE in the form of a beautiful gold dragonfly, healing some of the sickness and sorrow.

Even though Pandora had released suffering and sadness upon the world, she had also released hope and this made all the difference in the world.

Humans would suffer but would not feel despair.​

The Myth of Pandora's Box

Open Ended

What do you think the message of the story is?