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Pandora, the First Woman

The Titan Prometheus had been assigned the task of creating man. Defying the gods, Prometheus gave fire to humanity to help man progress as a civilization. As punishment for stealing the fire and disobeying his orders, Zeus chains Prometheus to a rock. Each day an eagle, a symbol for Zeus, was sent to feed on Prometheus’ liver. His liver would grow back to be eaten again the next day. Although Zeus had punished Prometheus for stealing the divine fire from the chariot of the sun, he was not satisfied. He felt the gods should seek retaliation against mankind for accepting the stolen gift. Summoning all the gods to the great hall, he asked them what they thought would plague and torment man the most. It was decided, after many suggestions and arguments, that a woman might pester him and plant seeds of ambition and dissatisfaction in his heart. So, in much the same way as Prometheus has made man, Hephaestus brought clay from the earth and created a woman. The gods named her Pandora. When she was given life, Pandora was endowed by the gods with every gift; Aphrodite bestowed beauty on her, Hermes gave her the art of persuasion, Apollo donated the love of music, and the Charities trained her in the social arts. Most importantly, the gods gave her the gift of curiosity. Then, Hephaestus fashioned an exquisite box of pure gold into which were put all the evils that have plagues mankind ever since—disease, famine, fever, envy, greed, gluttony, hatred, and intolerance. It did not seem possible that a thing as lovely as the golden box could contain so many horrors. As they were about to close the box, the gods and goddesses regretted their hasty decision. Although they were too proud to abandon the idea altogether, they added one beautiful gift that would lessen the pain caused by all the other disasters. This gift was called Hope. The gods tucked it down into the bottom of the box. Then they cautioned Pandora not to open the box, for it was intended as an offering to the man who took her in marriage. Then, bidding her goodbye, they gave her to Hermes, the messenger who bore her away with him to the earth. Hermes left her with Epimetheus, Prometheus’ foolish younger brother. Hermes told him that since his brother was taken away, the gods gift him with Pandora so that he is not so lonely. Epimetheus was so struck by her unusual beauty and grace that he gladly took her into his house. Seeing the golden box under her arm, he asked her what it contained. She answered that she did not know, exactly, but that she had been told to give it to the man she married. She placed it on a table and its brilliance lighted the entire room. Epimetheus cautioned Pandora not to look at the contents of the chest until he asked the advice of his brother. Then he left her alone. He traveled a whole day until he reached the mountain where Prometheus lay in chains. When he heard the story, Prometheus suspected a DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! trick. He told Epimetheus to hasten back and hide the box in a place so distant that no one could ever find it. In the meantime, Pandora explored her new home. She picked flowers and scattered their petals, which were soft and fragrant, under foot. She brought cold, sparking water from the brook that roared over clean stones at the foot of the hill. She took honey from the bees and fruit from the trees. Each time she entered the home, the shining box caught her eye. More than once, she stopped to touch it, shake it, and wonder what it might hold. All day long she kept busy, until, as night drew near, she could find nothing else to do. Drawing a chair up to the table on which the box lay, she sat down, hypnotized by its beauty and glitter. Occasionally, she went to the door and looked in the distance to see if either Epimetheus or Man were approaching. Finally, she took the box from the table and held it, turning it over and over, admiring its exquisite design. It was almost dark and she was all alone. “Surely,” she thought, “it can do no harm to open this lovely thing a mere crack and see what it contains. Is it a crown? A precious jewel? A magic cloak? A gift from the gods must be something both beautiful and rare.” As she thought this, Pandora opened the box a little, and peering in, saw nothing. Angry and fearless, she opened it wider and saw what at first looked to be a brown, ugly cloud. The cloud moved and separated. Then, with a loud buzzing sound, hundreds of things resembling insects escaped into the room. Terrified, she tried to close the box, but her hands shook and she could not manage the grasp. It was almost empty when she finally slammed the lid. Only one thing remained. This was Hope, which had lain on the bottom. She hurriedly placed the box on the table again and ran to the door to see if Epimetheus or Man were in sight. She looked around the room to make sure that none of the evils remained to be seen. She shook her robe in fear that some might lurk in its folds, and she combed her hair free of them. Then, she set the table for supper, selecting the ripest fruits, the most delicious berries, and the loveliest scented flowers. Pulling her chair far away from the table, she sat down to await Epimetheus and Man. When Epimetheus arrived with Man, they found her innocently busy mending clothes. She looked so beautiful sitting there that Epimetheus almost forgot to ask her whether or not she had looked in the box. When he asked her, she pretended for a moment to have no idea what he meant. “The box?” she queried. “Oh, that one! It had slipped my mind entirely. Yes, I did open it a little, and there is a lovely iridescent thing lying in it. It is more beautiful than the rarest jewel, and it is called Hope.” “We will keep it there,” Epimetheus said. She made no mention of the ugly, brown cloud composed of hundreds of ills that had flown out into the world. Therefore, it was some time before Epimetheus and Man knew that the box had contained anything but Hope. When they did learn, Pandora had so endeared herself to them that they could not punish her. They looked at her sadly, unable to speak. Seeing their disapproval in their eyes, she tried to defend her disobedience. “It is true that I opened the box,” she argued. “But it is also true that I allowed the evils to escape into the world. I brushed them from the room. They are not here and cannot harm us. Our house harbors only Hope.” DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

1. Why was Prometheus punished? A. Giving fire to mankind B. Marrying Pandora C. Creating man D. Killing an eagle

2. “It was decided, after many suggestions and arguments, that a woman might pester him and plant seeds of ambition and dissatisfaction in his heart.” What does this tell you about ancient Greeks’ attitudes toward women? A. Greeks believed women should rule the world. B. A man is no one without a woman. C. Women are the downfall of men. D. A woman would ease his suffering.

3. What material was used by Hephaestus to make woman? A. Fire B. Gold C. Clay D. Wood

4. What was the most important gift Pandora was given? A. Beauty B. Art of persuasion C. Love of music D. Curiosity

5. Why did the gods consider this to be the most important gift? A. This gift could save people’s lives. B. This gift would lead to the important answers in life. C. This gift would punish man. D. This gift would support women at every turn.

6. “It did not seem possible that a thing as lovely as the gold box could contain so many horrors.” This is an example of ______. A. Personification B. Irony C. Rising action D. Bias

7. “Hermes told him that since his brother was taken away, the gods gift him with Pandora so that he is not so lonely. Epimetheus was so struck by her unusual beauty and grace that he gladly took her into his house.” Based on this quote, what inference can be made? A. Pandora is to be a slave in his house. B. He is offended by the gifts and will turn her out within the year. C. They are to become husband and wife. D. Pandora is being punished by being given to Epimetheus. DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

8. “In the meantime, Pandora explored her new home. She picked flowers and scattered their petals, which were soft and fragrant, under foot. She brought cold, sparking water from the brook that roared over clean stones at the foot of the hill. She took honey from the bees and fruit from the trees.” What is the purpose of these details? A. To show how poor Pandora is while leaving with Epimetheus B. To make the story really boring and annoy the reader C. To show how Pandora spends her time while Epimetheus is away D. To show the happy environment that existed prior to opening the box

9. When Pandora is staring at the box, which type of conflict is represented? A. Person vs. person B. Person vs. self C. Person vs. nature D. Person vs. society

10. After having opened the box, why would Pandora decorate the table while waiting for Epimetheus and Man to return? A. She is trying to cover up her mistake she made by opening the box B. She is trying to pass the time as she waits for their return C. She wants to honor this man who has taken her in D. She is hosting a huge feast for the neighborhood to celebrate

Matching Directions: Bubble in the letter of the correct character described in each statement below. All answers will be used only ONE TIME!

A. Antinous B. Eumaeus C. Argus D. Homer E. Athena

11. ______provides Odysseus with the disguise 12. ______Odysseus’ hunting dog 13. ______Odysseus’ faithful swineherd who Odysseus first visits when he returns 14. ______most arrogant suitor who throws a stool at Odysseus 15. ______the author/creator of The Odyssey

A. Telemachus B. Penelope C. Suitors D. Maids E. Ithaca

16. ______Odysseus’ wife who has been fending off the suitors for years 17. ______Betrayed (snitched on) Penelope 18. ______Odysseus’ son who fights beside him 19. ______Odysseus’ home that he finally returns to after twenty years 20. ______Men who have taken over Odysseus’ house and want to marry Penelope

21. Part 1 of the Odyssey is mainly about Odysseus’ DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

B. influence with the gods. C. heroic deeds. D. love of war. E. loyalty to Helios.

22. Odysseus demonstrates the less heroic, human side of his character when he F. resists the temptations of Calypso and Circe. G. refuses to taste the honeyed Lotus plant. H. ties his men beneath the Cyclops’ rams. I. weeps upon meeting his mother’s ghost in Hades.

23. Which of the following sentences best summarizes the Argus episode? J. Odysseus fails to recognize his faithful dog Argus who then dies of neglect. K. A dog named Argus is near death and lies unnoticed by his former master, Odysseus. L. Odysseus’ faithful dog Argus, weak through neglect and abuse, wags his tail at the sound of Odysseus’ voice, and then he dies. M. As Odysseus plots of ways to nurse the old hound back to health, he dies.

24. The episode about Argus, Odysseus’ dog, is important to the overall plot of Part 2 because it emphasizes all of the following EXCEPT N. the length of Odysseus’ absence from home. O. Eumaeus’ awareness of Odysseus’ disguise. P. Argus’ undying loyalty to his master Q. how badly things have become in his absence

25. Choose the phrase that best defines epic simile. R. A figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else S. Literary technique that involves differences between meaning and intention T. A work done in imitation of another U. A long elaborate comparison between two unlike actions or objects

26. Which of the following best summarizes the conflict in Part 2 of the Odyssey? A. Odysseus fears his return to Ithaca will result in a civil war. B. Odysseus dislikes being home and wants to decide if he should stay before he reveals his true identity. C. Odysseus must deal forcefully with his wife’s suitors and determine her attitude towards his return. D. Odysseus discovers his wife’s intention to remarry and he storms out.

27. Odysseus' comment to Telemachus, "This is not princely, to be swept / away by wonder at your father's presence," implies which of the following about ancient Greek cultural values? A. People expected that princes would be easily amazed. B. People look up to princes as men of imagination. C. Princes commonly believed in miracles. D. Princes were not expected to display emotion. DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

28. In Part 2 of The Odyssey, the hero, Odysseus, appears disguised as which of the following? A. A suitor B. Eumaeus C. A beggar D. A priest of Zeus

29. Which of the following character traits does Penelope reveal in Part 2 of the Odyssey? A. Fear B. Weakness C. Loyalty D. Panic

30. Which of the following is an important theme in Part 2 of the Odyssey? A. Good triumphs over evil B. The quest for riches C. Separation weakens relationships D. Old age triumphs over youth

31. Toward the end of Part 2, how does Penelope test Odysseus? A. She disguises herself to see if he will recognize her even if she is not as beautiful as he remembers B. She pretends that she has moved their marriage bed in order to see if Odysseus knows their secret sign C. She tells him that she almost married one of the suitors D. She challenges him to string the bow a second time just to be sure

32. Which of the following ancient Greek cultural values is demonstrated by Odysseus' slaughter of the suitors? A. Violence is never justified. B. Intelligence is more highly prized than physical strength. C. Even heroes sometimes get scared. D. Revenge is sometimes justified, even if it involves violence.

33. Which of these statements most accurately describes an epic? A. An epic is a short poem that usually tells an exciting story. B. An epic is usually about an ordinary person who faces an extraordinary situation. C. An epic is usually about a hero whose traits are valued by his or her society. D. An epic is usually narrated in chronological order, with no jumps in time.

34. What do you call an elaborate comparison that extends over several lines in an epic? A. An epic simile B. An epithet C. An analysis D. A Homeric stanza DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS! DO NOT WRITE ON THIS!

35. What is a myth? A. A story told in dialect B. A fanciful story that explains a natural phenomenon or event C. An accurate explanation of why something occurred D. A fictional adventure story. Now, go answer the writing section on the separate packet.