4.23.2011

4.19.2011

THE MUSE

Through out our log history there have been Muses. From ancient Greek deities to modern female artists. These are women that inspire. While in the ancient meaning Muse meant "men-think" I feel that the modern meaning has more of a broad definition. I think the modern day Muse is one that evokes people to think and has a quality the inspires (man or women). 

Here is the literal definition:

The Muses (Ancient Greek αἱ μοῦσαι, hai moũsai [1]: perhaps from the o-grade of the Proto-Indo-European root *men- "think"[2]) in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths. The compliment to a real woman who inspires creative endeavor is a later idea.
Virgil, in Book I of the Aeneid:
O Muse! the causes and the crimes relate;
What goddess was provok'd, and whence her hate;
For what offense the Queen of Heav'n began
To persecute so brave, so just a man; [...]
(John Dryden translation, 1697)
Dante Alighieri, in Canto II of The Inferno:
O Muses, O high genius, aid me now!
O memory that engraved the things I saw,
Here shall your worth be manifest to all!
(Anthony Esolen translation, 2002)
-Wiki

Here are some modern day Muses, from Yoko Ono to Grace Jones to Kate Moss.