Women of Legend

• Who was the first woman created according to Greek mythology?

  Pandora
• What was the state of humanity before the creation of Pandora?

  Humans did not grow old or die, and there was no disease or hardship
• What was the purpose of creating Pandora according to Zeus?

  To punish mankind by giving them something that would lead to their destruction
• Who shaped Pandora out of earth and water?

  Hephaestus
• What does the name 'Pandora' mean?

  'All gifts'
• What gifts did the gods give to Pandora?

  Gifts that made her appealing and some that made her dangerous
• Who gave Pandora a shameless mind and deceit?

  Hermes
• What did Athena do for Pandora?

  Clothed her and styled her
• What did Pandora bring with her to earth?

  A pithos (jar)
• What was contained in the jar that Pandora opened?

  All the evils that plague mankind
• What remained in the jar after Pandora opened it?

  Hope
• How does Hesiod leave the audience regarding Pandora's action of opening the jar?

  He leaves them to make their own guesses about why she did it
• What is the later version of the story regarding Pandora's container?

  She had a pyxis (box)
• What does the later version of the myth add to Pandora's character?

  It demonstrates her curiosity, disobedience, and lack of self-control
• What are the main themes of the myth of Pandora?

  • The consequences of curiosity
  • The introduction of evils into the world
  • The duality of gifts (both beneficial and harmful)
  • The role of women in Greek mythology
• What does the term "didactic" mean?

  Something that is meant to teach or instruct
• Who were the Titans in Greek mythology?

  The generation of gods before Zeus and the other Olympian gods
• How did the Greeks perceive Pandora's character?

  They saw her as either a double-agent for the gods or a slave to her own curiosity.
• What do the interpretations of Pandora suggest about women in Greek society?

  They imply that women were seen as dangerous and problematic figures.
• In which poem does Hesiod describe the inherent evil of women?

  The Theogony
• What does Hesiod claim about the relationship between men and women?

  He states that men need women to have children, despite the inherent evil of women.
• What does Zeus create women to be, according to Hesiod?

  An evil to mortal men with a nature to do evil.
• What is the consequence of avoiding marriage, as described in the text?

  One reaches old age without anyone to tend to them and their possessions are divided after death.
• How does the portrayal of women in Hesiod's work reflect societal views of the time?

  It reflects a negative view of women as necessary evils in a patriarchal society.
• Who is Pandora in Greek mythology?

  The first woman
• Who is Zeus?

  The king of the Greek gods
• What is Hephaestus known for?

  The god of the forge and craftsmen
• What does the name Epimetheus mean?

  Hindsight
• Who is Hermes?

  Messenger of the gods
• Who is Helen in Greek mythology?

  Daughter of Zeus and Leda
• Why was Helen considered the most beautiful woman in the world?

  She was a princess and demi-god
• What oath did Tyndareus make the suitors swear?

  To go to war if Helen was threatened
• Who did Helen choose to marry?

  Menelaus
• What is Sparta?

  A town in the Peloponnese area of Greece
• What is Mycenae?

  A powerful town in the Peloponnese
• How did Paris disrupt Menelaus and Helen's marriage?

  He took Helen back to Troy
• Why did Paris take Helen with him?

  Aphrodite promised him her love
• What did Helen regret according to Homer?

  Leaving her family and home
• What are the competing versions of why Helen went with Paris?

  Blinded by love or taken by force
• How does Euripides portray Helen's situation?

  As a pawn in a game played by gods