#greek #mythology #muse #tragedy
By Joseph Fagnani
Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York City, N.Y. USA.
1869
In Greek mythology, Melpomene - 'to sing' or 'the one that is melodious') is the Muse of Tragedy in Greek mythology. She is described as the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne (and therefore of power and memory) along with the other Muses, she is often portrayed with a tragic theatrical mask.
Etymology
- Melpomene's name (implying the meaning "Songstress" is derived by etymologists from the Ancient Greek verb μέλπω (melpô) or from its inflexion μέλπομαι (melpomai) meaning "to celebrate with dance and song". The Oxford English Dictionary cites μέλπειν (melpein – to sing). She sings at the funeral of poets.