Melpomena, in Greek religion, is the patron of tragedy and lyre playing. In Greek art her attributes were the tragic mask and the club of Heracles.
Also spelled as "Melpomene," meaning "to sing" or "the one that is melodious", she was initially the Muse of Chorus, and then became the Muse of Tragedy, for which she is best known for. Her name was derived from the Greek verb melpô or melpomai meaning "to celebrate with dance and song." She is often represented with a tragic mask and wearing the cothurnus, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors. Often, she also holds a knife, sword, or club in one hand and the tragic mask in the other.
According to some traditions, the half-bird, half-woman Sirens were born from the union of Melpomene with the river god Achelous.
The sirens were the divine handmaidens of Kore (Persephone) who were cursed by her mother, Demeter, when they were unable to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone by Hades.
In Roman and Greek poetry, it was traditional to invoke the goddess Melpomene so that one might create beautiful lyrical phrases; odes hinted as one inspired form.
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To My Love: The Greek Muses
PoetryThe world is made up of many individuals; of many vocations, passions, character, viewpoints, culture, and race. However, the world's inhabitants can be simmered down to two sorts: The Creators and The Destroyers. For the love of life, we will spea...
