Melpomene is the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology, one of the nine Muses born to Zeus and the Titaness Mnemosyne. She is most often depicted holding a tragic theatrical mask, the emblem of her dramatic domain. In several ancient accounts she is named as the mother of the Sirens. Since the poetry of Horace, invoking Melpomene was considered auspicious for poets seeking inspiration and acclaim.
Adapted from Wikipedia, "Melpomene" · CC BY-SA 4.0
I.Family
Melpomene is one of the nine Muses, the daughters of Zeus and the Titaness Mnemosyne, the personification of memory. Her eight sisters are Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania, together presiding over the arts and sciences.
Several ancient writers, including Apollodorus, Lycophron, and Hyginus, name Melpomene as the mother of the Sirens, though other sources assign that role to different figures. In genealogical accounts her consort is given as the river god Achelous.
II.Role and iconography
As the Muse of tragedy, Melpomene is most readily identified by the tragic theatrical mask she carries. Her attributes in art and poetry include buskins (the high boots worn by tragic actors), the lyre, scrolls, and a crown of leaves, and she is at times shown with a dagger and a cup.
Her name, derived from the Greek verb meaning "to celebrate with dance and song," reflects an original association with melody and chorus that came to be focused on the dramatic genre of tragedy.
III.Invocation in poetry
In Greek and Latin poetry from the time of Horace (died 8 BC) onward, it was commonly held to be auspicious to invoke Melpomene. Horace called upon her when seeking the laurel wreath and the standing of poet laureate, establishing her as a figure to whom poets appealed for inspiration and renown.