In the Greek myth of Pandora, hope remained inside the vessel when it was closed. Hesiod’s Works and Days says that the evils escaped, while Hope stayed within the container.
This detail is one of the most debated parts of the story. Some readers interpret it positively: humanity suffers, but hope remains available. Others note that Hope is trapped rather than released, suggesting a darker or more ambiguous meaning. The Greek word elpis can refer to expectation or anticipation, not only the modern emotional idea of optimism.
The common expression “Pandora’s box” often implies that hope escaped after the troubles. That popular interpretation does not match the wording of Hesiod’s surviving account, where the vessel is closed before Hope leaves it. Modern adaptations regularly change this ending to make hope a gift to humanity.