Pandora's Not so Box-like Jar

    Just about everyone who has either studied Greek Mythology as part of their high/middle school curriculum, was read Greek Myths when they were little, or just had a curiosity of Greek mythology is familiar with Pandora's Box. For those of you who didn't know that "box" was actually a jar. The original word used was pithos, which can be translated as a large storage jar. This jar did not change into a box until the 16th century when the myth was mistranslated.
    If you are unfamiliar with the well-known story of Pandora's Box, it is about a girl named Pandora. Pandora was the first girl to be made of clay. She was created to be a spouse to Epimetheus. Epimethus and Prometheus were brothers, one of which, Prometheus, had angered Zeus by giving people fire without asking Zeus's permission first. To get even with Epimetheus, Zeus gifted the naturally curios Pandora, with a box. The box was relativity small and had a large lock on it. He then made Pandora promise she would never open it,gave the key of the heavily locked box to Epimetheus, and also told never to open. Zeus was quite sure curiosity would get the better of either one of them and the box would soon be opened. When Pandora wished to see what was inside the box Epimetheus responded, "You know your father," referring to Zeus. "He’s a tricky one."
One day when Epimetheus was sleeping, the highly curious, Pandora stole the key and broke the promise she had made to Zeus. The broken promise resulted in the release of every disease and sickness, all the hate and envy, and everything bad that had not been experienced. When her husband awok,e he found her sobbing. As she explained what had happened, she expressed her effort how she had tried to catch them and failed to do so. She then opened the box again to show him how empty it was, and out flew one tiny bug. Pandora tried to catch it but, yet again, failed. “Hello, Pandora,” said the bug, hovering just out of reach. “My name is Hope."
      I look at this story as a way to teach not only children but everyone, the danger of curiosity. Zeus knew that curiosity was bound to strike either Pandora or Epimetheus, that is why he placed the responsibility into their hands, thus satisfying his need for revenge. I also think that this is a lesson to be learned about temper. Zeus was angry, rather than confronting Epimetheus and Prometheus he released everything bad, apart from Hope. I believe that the opening of Pandora's Box was on account of all four Gods. I feel that in life, the responsibility of dealing with life itself is different than in the story. I feel like if an error is made, it's not so much other people's fault rather than your own. In the myth, the blame is almost equally dispersed among the Gods. I feel like in life it is mainly (for the most part) you who is responsible for your outcomes. I know that life as well as daily tasks heavily depend on others. I feel like if something does go wrong, in general everyday life such as work or school, there are very rare times in which we can say to ourselves, "there was absolutely nothing I could have done." Could you have been better organized? Better prepared? studied more? However you may think there are exceptions. For example in the case of a genetic disease or any fatal tragedy. In that situation there is always something you could have done. Preventing death, is of course inevitable. However, you could have taken them to the place they always dreamed of, spent more time with them, made them smile one more time, and/or heard their laugh just one more time. You always could have done something more, something to have made that time better. If you are experiencing this in the present, by all means do what you will look back on and wish you had done. My question to you now, is not what could you have done or what would you have wanted to do, but what will you do with the time given to you now?