Hope can have different meanings in different contexts. In psychology, it is the capacity to generate and complete (or regulate) goals. In a spiritual context, it might refer to having faith in supernatural powers or beings from whom good things will be delivered.
The Greeks had a strong influence over the others during the past. In the present, they continue to hold their influence in the form of language, literature, mythology and more. The Greek word for hope is Elpis. Elpis is an embodiment of hope. The word and the concept of hope are very important in every language, land and religion. But interestingly, the Greeks did not consider it as vital, but saw it as an extension of suffering. Elpis was not considered as a goddess but rather a daemon (minor goddess) because of the insignificance ancient Greece placed on her.
The relationship between the ancient Greeks and Elpis was not good. She is seen only in a few epics and played a major role in Pandora’s myth. The need for hope wasn’t significant for the Greeks. But the later accounts started to portray Elpis in a positive way. In due course, the later Greeks recognised her as a righteous goddess and started to refer to her in stories.
It is believed that the ancient Greeks depicted her in a negative light because of her family. Elpis is represented as a young woman carrying flowers or the cornucopia (a symbol of abundance that comprises a goat's horn flooded with flowers, fruit and corn) in her arms. She was fatherless, and her mother was Nyx, the goddess of night. who had given birth to some dark, terrifying spirits and daemons like the Moirai, the Fates, and others who brought death, grief, misfortunes and blame.
She is mostly known for her role in Pandora’s downfall. There are several versions of the myth. In one of them, Zeus entrusts a box filled with evil spirits and daemons, including Elpis, to Pandora (the first woman created by gods on earth). Curiosity made Pandora open the box, unleashing the evil spirits and daemons into the world. But hope alone didn’t escape and hung onto the lid.
Hesoid, a Greek poet, mentions this myth in one of his poems, ‘Work and Days’. The reason as to why Elpis continued to stay in the box was not stated, and till today this topic has been debated over by academics and myth-lovers alike.
Why she did not escape? What was she trying to do? If you ask me, I would like to believe this: when there is so much suffering in the world, hope is all we can cling to, because from hope alone comes the strength to accomplish our dreams, goals and resolutions.
Antonette Riana C.
19/UELA/020
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