Who is your muse?
Who is your muse?
We write many types of poetry and in many styles. Does our poetry brand us? Does it pigeonhole us into one particular kind of poetry? In ancient Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, the muses were believed to be goddesses who inspired the creation of literature and the arts.
According to Wikipedia, “In one myth King Pierus, once king of Macedon, had nine daughters he named after the nine muses, believing that their skills were a great match to the Muses (mousi). He thus challenged the Muses to a match, resulting in his daughters being turned into magpies and jackdaws. In Greek Mythology these nine daughters of the king usually are referred to as the Pierides.”
The muses are as follows:
Muse Domain Emblem
Calliope Epic poetry Writing tablet
Clio History Scrolls
Erato Lyric /love poetry Cithara (similar to a lyre, but larger)
Euterpe Music Aulos (a reed pipe similar to an oboe)
Melpomene Tragedy Tragic mask
Polyhymnia Choral/sacred poetry Veil
Terpsichore Dance Lyre
Thalia Comedy Comic mask
Urania Astronomy Globe and compass
Think about which muse your poetry most frequently resembles and what emblem you might choose as your own.
Don’t challenge your muse!