Muse is Answering the question

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Even a person who is not professionally engaged in creativity knows the feeling when a muse visits. This state, close to intoxication, causes a whole stream of thoughts and emotions, a desire to create something truly great. The writer begins to frantically print the pages of his novel one after another, the artist begins to experiment with forms, to bring to life hitherto unseen techniques and techniques of fine art. But still, the muse is what? Where did the legends of the Muses originate?

Most people know that the muse is a product of the fantasy of the ancient Greeks. This was the name of the nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. That is, the patrons of inspiration belonged to the third generation of Olympians. It is interesting that initially the competence of the muses - along with art - in the modern sense of the word included science and craft. That is, the ability to compose epigrams was valued about the same as divination by the stars. On the other hand, in ancient Greece there was no muse of painting or architecture, which seems a bit strange to contemporaries.

The giants of Aloada were the first to honor these creatures. At first there were only three of them (their names were translated as "experience", "memory" and"song"), but then the number increased. According to later legends, the muse is the one who lives on Helikon, sings of the gods and knows everything about the past, present and future. She gladly patronizes poets, musicians and other creative people, whom, however, she will severely avenge if they, in turn, try to compete with her, the daughter of Mnemosyne and Zeus. In more recent times, the muses have evolved from specific mythological creatures into abstract symbols of science or craft.

Calliope

Calliope was considered the main among all the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and even the patron Apollo did not dare to interrupt her when she passionately talked about the purity and nobility of warriors. Calliope was the mother of Orpheus, it was from her that he inherited the ability to feel music well, as well as a special understanding of the poetic word, which should induce the hero to noble deeds, instill faith in his soul. So her attributes in the form of a stylus and a scroll are by no means an ordinary symbol. It was not by chance that the warriors who were facing a difficult battle could have sworn that they heard Calliope composing her new work.

Inspirational heroic muse is the personification of civil patriotism. The ancient Greeks even ordered her miniature images when they were going on a long journey full of dangers and difficulties. According to legend, Pallas gave one of these miniatures to Odysseus, so that he would always strive to return to his native land.

Clio

"Inspires love forthe past” – this is how Clio, the second muse, was characterized. This vague description refers to the sciences that were valued by the Greeks almost above all else. It's about history. The ancients believed that the muse preserved even the most insignificant event for posterity, so as not to lose any element of the puzzle called "the past." She was quite strict and condemned Aphrodite when she became inflamed with passion for a mortal. In retaliation, the goddess ordered little Eros to hit Clio with an arrow, and the muse fell in love with a man who did not reciprocate her feelings. Having learned what the agony of love is, the muse no longer dared to condemn feelings.

Especially friendly, according to legend, Clio was with Calliope. And there is nothing surprising in this: history goes hand in hand with courage and patriotism. They were even similar to each other, images of these muses were often ordered from the same masters.

Melpomene

The patroness of tragedy is next. As the myths say, she was the mother of the sirens - those who nearly killed the Argonauts. From childhood, the daughters of Melpomene were endowed with a beautiful voice. But they decided to compete with the Muses, for which they were punished by Zeus (or Poseidon, according to another version) and turned into birds. From now on, Melpomene will be sad forever about the fate of her children. In the hands of the muse of tragedy are a theatrical mask and a sword, symbolizing the punishment for vanity.

Waist

Thalia, the next muse, is the patroness of comedy. She is closest to Melpomene, although she never understood her boundless faith in rock. Cicero argued that on this basis, the Muses oftenquarreled. In the hands of Thalia was a comedy mask, and this symbol could be interpreted as the embodiment of gaiety, love of life, or the fact that human life is just a game of the gods. There is a legend that Zeus himself fell in love with Thalia, but the “lucky woman” knew the character of Hera, so she chose to hide from the love of the Thunderer.

Euterpe

The next muse is the inspiration of true poets. Euterpe patronized lyric poetry and was considered the most refined, feminine among her sisters. This is the muse of the word, the gift of versification. Olympians could listen to her poems for hours to the accompaniment of a harp.

Erato

Erato was distinguished by gaiety and perkyness, for she believed that the hearts of true lovers could not separate even the kingdom of Hades. This muse of music, wedding and love lyrics is invariably adorned in images with roses - symbols of passion. Once, at one of the weddings, the muse of music got bored. She said something to the musician - and instantly a magical melody rang out, making those present wish to always be together.

Terpsichore

This is Terpsichore, the muse of dance, which used to have a slightly different meaning than it does now. The Greeks perceived dance as something that should express harmony, absolute unity with culture or nature. This muse was depicted with a lyre in her hands.

Polyhymnia

Polyhymnia patronized orators. It was believed that one had only to pronounce her name at night, and the goddess would descend to the supplicant and help him gain the gift of a voice that could reach the hearts of listeners.

Urania

The wisest (with the exception of Athena) of the daughters of the Thunderer, Urania was the patroness of even sciences far from astronomy. Portrayed with a globe and a compass.