Folklore 401

Essay 3 – Myths
Captain Dega

Read the myth of “Prometheus and Pandora” in your Grimoire (pages 285-286), Then, answer
these questions:
a. Does “Prometheus and Pandora” fit the criteria for a myth? Explain your answer and give
examples to support your claims.
b. What is the purpose of the story?
c. What phrases in the story tell you that it is considered to be sacred, deeply meaningful,
culturally important, or all three?

Introduction
Myths can be curious and often times viewed as antiquated methods of explaining the Universe.
However, in ancient times, when scientific worldview wasn’t the focal point of existence, myths
described a very real, sacred, and supernatural aspect of the world (Pesznecker, Folklore 401:
Lesson 4 - Myths, 2006). While the debate as to whether these modes of folklore are no longer
relevant persists among scholars and the people alike, myths represent a time when humankind
thought the mysteries of the Universe as something special in comparison to contemporary
thought. In this essay, this Wizard looked at the myth of Prometheus and Pandora to analyze if it
fit the common understandings of myths per the course text (Pesznecker, Folklore 401: Lesson 4
- Myths, 2006).
Criteria for a Myth
The course text describes three minimal points to qualify a folklore tale as a myth (Pesznecker,
Folklore 401: Lesson 4 - Myths, 2006):
 Myths are a type of narrative folklore that occurs in a remote, unidentifiable past (“before
time”) and in a non-recognizable place.
 In the society in which they are told, myths are considered to be truthful accounts of what
happened in the remote past.
 Myths are populated with supernatural beings and are widely recognized as sacred. They
are often connected to the creation of people of civilization.
According to the textbook version, the myth operates in some time before recorded history as
Prometheus, his brother, and Zeus among other gods are still creating and organizing things in
the Universe (Zell-Ravenheart, 2004). It is assumed to be Olympus or another place in or around
Olympus, but the textbook version didn’t include this data.
As a Philosophy degree holder who loved Plato’s dialogues with Socrates, it is unclear that all
Roman or Greek citizens actually thought the stories told about the gods were ‘true.’ For
example, no one bard was there witnessing the events (Durant, 1939). However, common
thought probably deemed the myths as likelihoods of the gods themselves; exact events may not
be told, but a ‘gist’ of the story was probably accurate. Other citizens may or may not believe
anything about the gods, but the government as a whole might come down upon you and
criminalize those thoughts as heresy, as in the case with Socrates (Wikipedia, 2025); the
governments spent a lot of money creating temples in the case that the gods were true and really
watching (Durant, 1939). So, this Wizard is unsure that the myths were considered true, but
government-wise, it was better to just say they were true. Professor Opsopaus denotes that the
gods and daemons are above good and evil human understandings (Opsopaus, 2010), it is better
not to anger them (Professor John Opsopaus, 2024). Erring on the side of caution, I would say
the people thought this myth might be ‘sacred’ and speak of something about the evils in the
world (Zell-Ravenheart, 2004).
This myth certainly does incorporate many supernatural beings and supernatural magicks, such
as Zeus’ box to Pandora (Zell-Ravenheart, 2004). While the Pandora box story may not be
sacred, the actions of the gods, whether or not humans understand them, are sacred. Thus, this
Wizard would argue that the story holds true to the definitional requirement of myths.
Purpose of the Myth
There are many purposes in this short tale: how humans received fire, why some gods love
humans and others hate them (e.g., Zeus), how did evil come into the world, and more pointedly,
who’s fault was it? While these myths may not satisfy the human ego today, for this Wizard
these myths very well might still play a part of the human creation that we are not ready to
accept. What if the gods, such as Prometheus, really did give us fire? How long would it have
taken for small-minded humans to figure out the frictional steps to create fire? Probably a long
time. If gods are real and were watching, would they get frustrated waiting around for humans to
figure out such a simple concept? Probably. Just as humans are not fond of thinking that aliens
might have created them and give them advanced knowledge from time to time, it is even more
outlandish for modern humans to think some spiritual, immortal being gave them fire and was a
god! My point is whether humans received fire from aliens or gods, they do not for the most part
feel comfortable with that thought. However, both are equally valid to this Wizard.
Sacred, Meaningful, Culturally Important
Much of the story didn’t appeal to me except for two points: Prometheus gave fire to the humans
and Pandora closing the box before Hope escaped; this Wizard feels that regardless of who the
gods really are, there is at least one god looking out for humankind. This seems very comforting
that leans of the sacred, meaningful, and culturally important. In short, all three. The idea that
Pandora did not lose humanity’s ability of Hope seems culturally significant and meaningful; this
is similar to the Christian ideal that ‘everything happens for a reason’ or ‘let go and let God;’
suggesting some sort of master plan why God is applying undue pressure, torture, pain, etc. It
would appear that from the Romans and Greeks, there was seemingly no ‘master plan,’ just a
bunch of rowdy gods trying to figure out things, just like humans on earth! Nonetheless,
Pandora’s ability to save Hope for humanity is significant, especially in these troubling times.
Conclusion
Hope, gods, and humanity. Many different stakeholders trying to make sense of an unknown
Universe (Zell-Ravenheart, 2004). While modern humans don’t rely on myths much anymore,
there is very little comfort in a scientifically driven Universe and our existence is due to random
atoms coming together ‘by chance.’ Is this the same chance that if I chuck in the air a pile of
sand it will land as a castle? Probably not. However, the scientist would have us believe such
nonsense, stating that their scientific ‘myth’ is true, whereas the myth of Pandora is completely
false (Zell-Ravenheart, 2004). While it is up to the Wizard to decide whether to personally
believe or not believe, part of being a Wizard is knowing the old tales. Ancient tales. To use in
an instance for humanity’s benefit when others have long forgotten them.
Captain Dega

Works Cited
Durant, W. (1939). The Life of Greece. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Opsopaus, J. (2010). Theurgy 201 - Foundations: Lesson 5 - Gods and Daemons are beyond
'Good and Evil'. Retrieved from The Grey School of Wizardry:
https://www.greyschool.net/lessons/482
Pesznecker, S. (2006). Folklore 401: Lesson 1 - Introduction - What is Folklore. Retrieved from
The Grey School of Wizardry: https://www.greyschool.org/lessons/1314
Pesznecker, S. (2006). Folklore 401: Lesson 2 - Studying Folklore. Retrieved from The Grey
School of Wizardry: https://www.greyschool.org/lessons/1315
Pesznecker, S. (2006). Folklore 401: Lesson 3 - Types of Narrative Folklore. Retrieved from The
Grey School of Wizardry: https://www.greyschool.org/lessons/1316
Pesznecker, S. (2006). Folklore 401: Lesson 4 - Myths. Retrieved from The Grey School of
Wizardry: https://www.greyschool.org/lessons/1317
Professor John Opsopaus. (2024). Instructor Comments from Theurgy 201. The Grey School of
Wizardry.
The Grey School of Wizardry. (2022). The Other Worlds: Lesson 5 - Realms of the Gods.
Retrieved from The Grey School of Wizardry: https://www.greyschool.net/lessons/1061
Wikipedia. (2025). Socrates. Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Socrates&oldid=1265412742
Zell-Ravenheart, O. (2004). Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard. Franklin Lakes: Career Press.