| 词汇 | muses |
| 词源 | Muses. The nine Muses were the children of Zeus and Mne- mosyne (a personification of memory who was one of the six Titans, a daughter of Heaven and Earth). Originally they were goddesses of memory, but Pindar writes that the celestials im- plored Zeus to create the Muses to sing the great deeds of the gods. It was traditional for authors, especially epic poets, to in- voke a particular Muse to help in the act of creation, the appeal for inspiration usually coming near the beginning of a work (as in the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Paradise Lost). While relative- ly few writers today believe in external forces inspiring them, or the “storm of association,” as Wordsworth called it, most depend on inspiration from within rather than the divine af- flatus (as William Faulkner said of the Muses and inspiration: “No one ever told me where to find it”). Nevertheless, if one’s inner inspiration fails, here are the nine Muses all ready for invoking: Calliope (her name, pronounced Ka-lie’o-pee, does not rhyme with rope, although the musical instrument named after her can; the name means “beautiful voice”). The chief Muse, usually associated with epic poetry, poetic inspiration, and elo- quence, she has as her emblems a pen and a scroll of parchment. Clio (Klie’o; means “to tell of ”); Muse of history and heroic exploits, who is often represented like Calliope. The British au- thor Joseph Addison used the name Clio as a pseudonym. Euterpe (Yoo-ter’-pee; means “to delight well”). Muse of music and lyric poetry, patron of flute players, joy, and plea- sure, her symbol is the double flute, which she invented. Thalia (Tha-lie’a; means “blooming”). Muse of gaity, come- dy, and pastoral life, depicted wearing a comic mask and garland of ivy while holding a shepherd’s crook and a tambourine. Melpomene (Mel-pom’i-nee; means “to sing”). Muse of tragedy, song and harmony, “the mournfullest Muse” is shown wearing a tragic mask, sword, and garland of grape leaves. Terpsichore (Terp-sik’o-ree; means “dance-liking”). Muse of dancing, choral song, and lyric poetry, usually depicted seated and holding a lyre. Erato (Er’a-toe; from the Greek eros, love). Muse of erotic and love poetry, miming, and geometry, shown holding a stringed instrument such as a lyre. Polyhymnia (Pol’ee-hym’nee-uh; means many hymns). Muse of the chant and inspired hymn and said to be the inven- tor of the lyre, she is depicted as grave in countenance and wrapped in long, flowing robes. Urania (Yoo-ray’nee-uh; from uranus, sky). Muse of as- tronomy and celestial phenomena, whose name means “the heavenly one” and whom Milton made the spirit of the loftiest poetry, she is often shown pointing with a wand or staff at a ce- lestial globe she holds in her hand. Mnemosyne, the mother of the Muses, gave her name to mnemonics, the art or science of memory training. Calliope gave hers to an organ composed of steam whistles. Terpsicho- rean means anything pertaining to dance, and euterpean is any- thing having to do with music. The Muses collectively are re- sponsible for museum, which literally means the home of the Muses. See also 10th muse. |
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英语词源词典收录了13259条英语词源词条，基本涵盖了全部常用英语词汇的起源、历史，是研究英语词汇或通过词源学英语的必备工具。