Famous Poems About Pandora's Box

Throughout history, the myth of Pandora's Box has captivated poets and served as a rich source of inspiration. This legendary tale from Greek mythology tells the story of Pandora, the first woman on Earth, who was given a box containing all the evils of the world. Despite being warned not to open it, her curiosity got the better of her, and she released these malevolent forces upon humanity. Below, we explore some famous poems that delve into the profound themes and lessons found within this timeless myth.

"Pandora" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, renowned for his narrative poetry, crafted a beautiful piece titled "Pandora." In this poem, Longfellow reflects on the significance of Pandora's curiosity and her role in human existence. Here is an excerpt from the poem:

"All things that are, are with more spirit chased
Than enjoyed. For instance, love's delight
Is in the chase more than the embrace;
Boundless desires, which on earth alight,

Are in the air most spent, most overcome
In their own birth-place. It is thus with life.
Men run their race till they be weary, some
This, that, but none the bliss of blisses, find.

So, hand in hand, they pass through the green
And flowery garden; but, at close of day,
Arm in arm, they lean 'gainst a mossy screen;
Now to speak, now to be silent, they
Must wander, for no cause they understand,

But ever as they wander hand in hand."

"The Opened Gate" by Sara Teasdale

Sara Teasdale, a notable American poet of the early 20th century, explored the myth of Pandora's Box in her poem "The Opened Gate." In this piece, Teasdale contemplates the consequences of opening Pandora's fateful box and the darkness it unleashed. Here is a glimpse of her evocative words:

"The gate is opened, and the night
Rushes across the sky with a shout.
The gate is opened, and the evil
Comes pouring out.

The gate is opened, and the evil
Comes pouring out.
God keep us all this night,
When evil walks about."

"Pandora" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of America's most influential poets and essayists, also delved into the myth of Pandora's Box in his poem "Pandora." Emerson examines the dual nature of Pandora, symbolizing both the curiosity that brings chaos and the hope that emerges from it. Here are some thought-provoking lines from his poem:

"With a secret though she dares
Let no ill my will pursue,
Sacrifice, and hymns of praise,
Charity, and love, and truth,
And the powers that from these rise
In the world's clear morning eyes,
Shall with their sure and sweet delight
Cast out the demons, cast out fear."

These poems, among many others, encapsulate the enduring fascination with Pandora's Box in poetic expression. They serve as a reminder of the power of curiosity, the consequences of our actions, and the eternal struggle between darkness and hope that exist within the human experience.