Admiral Squish
2011-12-26, 11:30 PM
In the days of ancient Greece, there were nine muses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muses). These were the patron goddesses of the nine arts and sciences that the greeks held in highest esteem. They were seen as fountains of inspiration, and the blessing of a muse would allow a creator to produce breathtaking works of art and groundbreaking discoveries.
There was Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, whose emblem was a writing tablet. Clio, the muse of history, who bore scrolls with her. Erato, the muse of love poetry, who carried a lyre. Euterpe, the muse of song and elegiac poetry, whose symbol was a flute. Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, carried the symbolic mask of tragedy. Polyhymna, the muse of hymns, who hid her face with a veil. Terpsichore, the muse of dance, who also carried a lyre with her. Thalia, the muse of comedy, who wore the mask of comedy. And then there was Urania, the muse of astronomy, whose symbol was a globe and compass.
Nowadays, however, things are very, very different. The modern american would likely not even be able to tell you the difference between epic and elegiac poetry. The muses are out of date. The question is, what arts and sciences of today take that central place in our lives that these nine did for the ancient greeks? So, I'm interested in hearing opinions.
Would we be looking at muses of fine cooking? A muse of rap? A muse of cinema? Computer science? Physics? Would astronomy still be in there, or would it have faded out? Maybe even a youtube muse? How would you depict them? What would they go by? What would be their sacred emblems?
Corollary: If not for the country as a whole, then what about you personally? What muses inspire you? What arts and sciences capture your imagination?
There was Calliope, the muse of epic poetry, whose emblem was a writing tablet. Clio, the muse of history, who bore scrolls with her. Erato, the muse of love poetry, who carried a lyre. Euterpe, the muse of song and elegiac poetry, whose symbol was a flute. Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, carried the symbolic mask of tragedy. Polyhymna, the muse of hymns, who hid her face with a veil. Terpsichore, the muse of dance, who also carried a lyre with her. Thalia, the muse of comedy, who wore the mask of comedy. And then there was Urania, the muse of astronomy, whose symbol was a globe and compass.
Nowadays, however, things are very, very different. The modern american would likely not even be able to tell you the difference between epic and elegiac poetry. The muses are out of date. The question is, what arts and sciences of today take that central place in our lives that these nine did for the ancient greeks? So, I'm interested in hearing opinions.
Would we be looking at muses of fine cooking? A muse of rap? A muse of cinema? Computer science? Physics? Would astronomy still be in there, or would it have faded out? Maybe even a youtube muse? How would you depict them? What would they go by? What would be their sacred emblems?
Corollary: If not for the country as a whole, then what about you personally? What muses inspire you? What arts and sciences capture your imagination?