Hermes is said to have given Pandora her deceptive character.
In the Hesiodic account, the gods contribute different qualities to Pandora after Hephaestus fashions her. Hermes, the messenger of the gods, is associated with giving her a deceptive mind and a nature capable of lies. This detail fits Hermes’s broader mythological associations with communication, cunning, boundaries, and trickery.
Pandora’s characterization is therefore assembled by divine contributions rather than presented as a single simple trait. Athena provides clothing and craft-related adornment in the narrative tradition, while Aphrodite contributes beauty and desire. Hermes’s role adds the element of deceit.
Modern retellings often mention only curiosity, but curiosity is not the complete ancient description. The exact wording and emphasis vary by translation, and later authors soften, moralize, or reshape Pandora’s character. Hermes should also be distinguished from Hephaestus, who fashions her body.