women: evil?

Why is there evil in the world? Ever since man started to become aware of his own existence and that of the things around him, this question has probably become one the most recurrent curiosities that went on in his mind. Religion and science offer their own explanations – the former through its divinities, and the latter through its theories.

The ancient pagans believed that the events that led to evil’s existence started when Prometheus, a Titan, stole fire from heaven to give to man. Because of this presumption, Jupiter (or Zeus) created Pandora, the first woman, as punishment. It is said that Pandora released evil – which was sealed in a jar – unto the world because of her curiosity. In hurriedly resealing the container, she had failed to free hope – the one thing that remained trapped inside the jar.

Similar to Eve who had brought about Adam’s downfall by having him eat the forbidden fruit growing in the Garden of Eden, Pandora is depicted as the cause of man’s troubles. Both characters are women, and if only based on their gender, it would seem that females have the tendency to doom males.

This is a curious suggestion though, and seems rather sexist. If solely based on the story, it should be noted that Pandora was created by Jupiter (or Zeus), who was male. If she was created to release evil, then she was only fulfilling the function given to her by a male. If Pandora wasn’t designed for this specific role, then she probably wouldn’t have released suffering upon the world on her own. To put it simply, she was just being used.

Women have had notorious reputations at one time or another. Some see them as temptresses, or as vile schemers. They take the form of Delilah, Salome, or Jezebel. True, women have their own faults, but it should be said that it is men, and not women, who start wars. (Then again, to those who take the story of Pandora literally, they might argue that if it weren’t for women who supposedly brought evil about, wars wouldn’t exist in the first place.)

Perhaps it all comes down to how a woman chooses to present herself to the world. If she lives a life of immorality (turning herself into a mistress or a prostitute for example) then she is in danger of being associated to man’s downfall (no matter how justified her reasons may be for being so). If, however, she becomes a loving daughter, a supportive wife, or a doting mother, she breaks free from the infamy of Pandora and becomes someone who man couldn’t be without. She no longer becomes a reason for death, but instead becomes a reason to live for. And as a woman brings out the best in man, she becomes not his weakness, but his strength.

While Pandora was at one time said to have kept hope sealed inside the jar, it is now our duty as women to set it loose upon mankind. It is our duty to pacify men from their anger and become their sense of reason whenever necessary. It is our duty to bring smiles to their faces whenever they are down and out, our job to bring out the love in their hearts. It is our duty to become their companions in this journey called life as daughters, wives, and mothers.

The choice will always be ours. While women will never be rid of certain biases, the knowledge that we are one of the biggest reasons why men achieve great things (including that which promotes peace) is enough reason to be proud of. Now who can say that women are only capable of bringing about evil?

undeserved

Titles are easy to come by these days -- quaint designations borne of a Machiavellian intellect artistically crafted to make one sound more eminent than one really is. A metaphorical handful truly deserves the labels christened them, with more and more leaching off the gaps between the fingers day by day. Presented with oddments of crooks and cheats, these distinctions are blatant hyperboles, nothing more.


"Sir," "Madam," "Your Honor," "Her Excellency," "First Gentleman..." Yuck. Pukesville.


Droll how any Tom, Dick, or Harry can avail of such merit so effortlessly. Some titles are so off the target, it's mindless -- unfitting venerations for undeserving blokes. Preferable if it was a case of spite, even sarcasm. Sadly, it is not. Titles are indeed easy to come by these days. How many walking oxymorons in the making are yet to come? Hideous!


On consideration, perhaps it is not so surprising as people are quick to praise as they are to condemn... (That, or people are hopelessly clueless) Though gone are the days when distinctions were gained through hard-earned fame (or notoriety): Alexander "The Great," Ivan "The Terrible," Leshrac "The Malicious..." Okay, that last one was from DotA.


Point standing: titles of honor belong to certain people -- deserving people. Bad designations for "heels", good ones for "faces". Good, like say, "Most Valuable Player..." "Highest in Math..." "Chief Editor..." "Magna cum Laude..."


The just don't deserve notoriety, as crooks don't deserve honor. No ifs, no buts. Hideous if undeserving people get such upright titles and move on to become the "Sirs," "Madams," "Her Excellencies," and "First Gentlemans" of the future.


Yuck. Fake.