Curiosity: a blessing, or a curse?
The paradoxical nature of this trait, was personified for the ancient Greeks in the mythical figure of Pandora.
According to legend, she was the first mortal woman, whose blazing curiosity set a chain of earth-shattering events in motion.
Pandora was breathed into being by Hephaestus, God of fire, who enlisted the help of his divine companions to make her extraordinary.
From Aphrodite she received the capacity for deep emotion;
from Hermes she gained mastery over language.
Athena gave the gift of fine craftsmanship and attention to detail, and Hermes gave her her name.
Finally, Zeus bestowed two gifts on Pandora.
The first was the trait of curiosity, which settled in her spirit and sent her eagerly out into the world.
The second was a heavy box, ornately curved, heavy to hold – and screwed tightly shut.
