In Greek mythology, Hope remains inside Pandora’s jar after all the evils escape.
Hesiod’s Works and Days describes Pandora opening a container that releases diseases, toil, and other troubles into the human world. The text then says that only Elpis, usually translated as “hope,” remains inside because Pandora replaces the lid before it can escape.
The ending is debated. Some readers view hope as humanity’s consolation against suffering; others note that ancient Greek elpis could mean expectation generally, not only optimistic hope. The story also does not clearly say whether Zeus intended Elpis to help humans or to remain trapped. Modern retellings usually present hope as a blessing left behind.
The container is commonly called a box, but Hesiod describes it as a large jar, or pithos. “Pandora’s box” became the standard expression through later retellings and translation traditions, while “Pandora’s jar” is closer to the earliest surviving account.