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Greco-Roman Origin Myths

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Art Inquiry: Pandora
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Odilon Redon, Pandora (1910/1912)
The name Pandora means 'a gift to all.' The story of Pandora, her curiosity, and a beautiful box was a Greek myth explaining the existence of trouble in the world.


Learn more about this work of art by answering the multiple-choice questions below. Mouse over the image for clues!

1. What is Pandora doing?

  1. Opening the box
  2. Closing the box
  3. Deciding whether or not to open the box
  4. Falling asleep with the box in her hands

2. What did Zeus tell Pandora when he gave her the box?

  1. “Never open it.”
  2. “Open it on a special day.”
  3. “Open it when I tell you to.”
  4. “Don't tell anybody about the box.”

3. What is inside Pandora's box?

  1. Food and drink
  2. Happiness, joy, and cheer
  3. Disease, sorrow, and greed
  4. Gold, silver, and jewels

4. What do the golden shapes surrounding Pandora symbolize?

  1. Sunshine
  2. Earthly paradise
  3. Peaches
  4. Pain and suffering

5. What was the earth like before Pandora?

  1. Only men lived there.
  2. It was paradise.
  3. Both a and b
  4. None of the above

6. What happens after Pandora opens the box?

  1. She is no longer hungry or thirsty.
  2. Everyone in the world is happy.
  3. Pandora becomes the most beautiful woman in the world.
  4. Trouble and woe comes into the world, as well as hope.
 
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Odilon Redon, Pandora, 1910/1912, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Chester Dale Collection