When a writer faces a crippling writer’s block, he or she fervently hopes for some saving inspiration. When it finally arrives, writer’s often will describe the moment as having found their muse.  So, what is the muse?

Greek mythology produced nine Muses, known as the patron goddesses who ruled over the arts and sciences of ancient Greece.  Each Muse protects and inspires a particular discipline.  Seven of the nine focus on poetry and the theatre; the two remaining, on history and science. (Wikipedia, Muses)  

Four Muses qualify as patronesses for inspired poetry forms:

— Erato (“desired” or “lovely,”): love or erotic poetry  

— Calliope, (“beautiful voice”):  epic poetry; 

— Euterpe, (“giver of much delight”): lyric poetry, as well as music and song; 

— Polyhymnia, (“many praise”): sacred poetry, as well as oratory.  

Of the four Muses noted above, the best known is Erato, who guides a poet though lines of love, platonic or lustful — frequently erotic, but rarely erratic.  Poets even had written poems to Erato for continuing inspiration, or perhaps, for wishful thinking.

Calliope may also look familiar.   Not as the Muse, however, but as the musical instrument that frequently accompanied a traveling circus.  It produced an incredibly loud sound by sending steam or compressed air through large whistles that could be heard for miles.  The sounds emitted were anything but a “beautiful voice,” but certainly gained attention, inspiring people to attend the circus.  (Wikipedia, Calliope)   

Three Muses rule over the theatrical arts, inspiring stage performers, an important discipline in ancient Greece:

— Melpomene, (“to celebrate”);  patroness of tragedy;

— Thalia, (“joyous, flourishing”):  patroness of comedy.

— Terpsichore, (“delight in dancing”): patroness of dance

Rounding out the field: 

— Clio, (to make famous”): patroness of history;

— Urania, (”heavenly”):  patroness of astronomy.

There you have it!  As a society, we have progressed a long way from ancient Greece, but during the writing process, we often await some needed inspiration from a Muse when we most need it.  Like the old saying: a Muse in time may save nine!