In Hesiod’s account of Pandora, Hermes gives her a deceptive mind and skillful speech. In Works and Days, Zeus orders the gods to fashion Pandora as part of his punishment of humanity after Prometheus gives humans fire. Different gods contribute different qualities to the new woman.
Hermes, the Olympian messenger, supplies speech and a temperament associated with deception. The detail fits his broader mythological identity: Hermes is connected with communication, cleverness, boundaries, trade, and trickery. His role is therefore more specific than simply being Pandora’s messenger or escort.
Modern retellings often compress the creation scene and attribute all of Pandora’s traits to Zeus or Hephaestus. Hesiod’s poem instead presents a collaborative divine construction. Hephaestus shapes her from earth, Athena teaches useful crafts, and other deities add adornment or social qualities. The famous container is also traditionally called a box, although Hesiod describes a jar.