Melpomene (Μελπομένη) is the Muse of Tragedy, for which she is best known now. Her name was derived from the Greek verb melpô or melpomai meaning "to celebrate with dance and song." She is often represented with a tragic mask and wearing the cothurnus, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors. Often, she also holds a knife or club in one hand and the tragic mask in the other. She is also the mother of several of the Sirens, the divine handmaidens of Persephone who were cursed by her mother, Demeter, when they were unable to prevent the kidnapping of Persephone by Hades.
Trivia[]
- Her symbol is a tragic mask
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| v • e | The Muses | |
| Muses: | Kalliope • Kleio • Erato • Euterpe • Melpomene • Polyhymnia • Thaleia • Terpsikhore • Ourania | |
| Related articles: | Zeus • Mnemosyne • The Muses • The Elder Muses | |