Muse

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/muse

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the mythological lineage?Nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, embodying arts and sciences
2. What is the primary source text?Hesiod's Theogony details their birth and role in inspiring poets
3. Who are the nine Muses and what do they each help with?The nine Muses are Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Erato (love poetry), Euterpe (music), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (hymns), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), and Urania (astronomy).
4. Why did ancient writers call on the Muses before writing?Ancient writers called on the Muses at the start of their works to ask for help and to thank the gods for giving them ideas.

Archetype: A universal, symbolic pattern or image found in myths and literature.
Titaness: A female Titan, a primordial deity in Greek mythology.
Invocation: A formal plea or request, often to a divine being, at the beginning of a work.