Prometheus & Pandora Myths

Question 1

What are the different version of the myths of Pandora and Prometheus?

Answer 1

Theogony - Hesiod - 700-800 BC
Works and Days- Hesiod - 700-800 BC

Question 2

Summary of the Theogony of Prometheus

Answer 2

1. Starts with Prometheus being chained/punished with an eagle coming at him always eating his liver, but due to being immortal, it would regrow
2. Heracles saves Prometheus
3. Then starts to tell the reason why he was bound: Prometheus tricked Zeus by giving him a worse portion of meat and giving others a better portion. Even though Zeus wasn’t really tricked due to him being eternally wise.
4. Zeus hides fire from all mankind due to the actions of Prometheus
5. Prometheus then steals the fire from Zeus and gives it to mankind

Question 3

Summary of the Theogony myth of Pandora

Answer 3

1. Hephiastos makes a woman (Pandora) out of clay due to Zeus’s orders. Athena makes her clothes and puts a wreath to crown her with.
2. Zeus made her as a curse for mortal men, and this idea that women are going to take from men’s work and not do anything.

Question 4

Summary of the Works and Days Myth

Answer 4

1. The myth starts talking about why Zeus makes life hard for humans.
2. He says that due to Prometheus tricking Zeus and stealing the fire from him, he will make life hard for humans by creating Pandora.
3. He called Hephaistos to make Pandora, Athena to teach her embroidery, Aphrodite gave her grace, Hermes gave her a bitchy mind and a cheating heart. Pandora was a real pain for human beings because her name meant all gifts.
4. Zeus sent Hermes to take her to Epimetheus (afterthought) and they get married
5. Pandora releases from a jar miseries and the only thing left in the jar was Hope.
6. Making life harder for mankind.

Question 5

Summary of the Five Ages Myth

Answer 5

The myth talks about the Five Ages.
Gold: tending to justice, close to the gods, didn’t have to face any difficulties
Silver: lack of wits/failure to sacrifice, so Zeus did away with them
Bronze: all they cared about/was fighting and war
Heroes: the race before the present one, Demigods, they all died fighting in the great wars
Iron: terrible pain and vexation, hardships