Be-Mused

For all the stories, tales, and legends that exist, not a single one of them paints a true picture of a Muse. Most people can recount the tale of the Sirens, jealous of their much more beautiful counter parts, challenging the Muses to a contest. They would sing for the favor of Zeus. Counting on the fact that the Muses only prevailed where looks were concerned, the prize would be that the losers cast out of Zeus's presence for eternity. Well, as the story goes, the contest did take place. The Sirens sorely underestimated the competition they would have in the Muses as they made quick work of the spiteful ones. Their ability to beat the Sirens where they typically excelled? Love. The Muses used the power of love to fuel their hearts, thus their voices. As their reward, the Muses were allowed to pluck the feathers from the wings of the sirens, which they would wear in their hair for a day. Now, with naked wings thus unable to fly, they were cast into the seas. They were to drown but Zeus, taking pity upon them, waved his golden scepter and the floundering Sirens were transformed. Their wings disappeared and they were given the ability to breathe beneath the surface of the water. To be sure that they would not ever set foot back on dry land, their legs were bound together and transformed into something much more appropriate for navigating the seas that would be their eternal home. Oh, and the Sirens were also allowed to keep their voices. You see, singing is what enabled a Siren's heart to beat. Without their song, they would surely die. One thing that Zeus did overlook was what these thwarted ones would do with their beautiful voices now that they were out of his favor forever.

In modern times, Muses are thought of as spirits of inspiration. Some liken them to little fairies flitting about, bouncing from shoulder to shoulder of an artist deeply engaged in his craft. While Sirens are barely thought of at all these days. If one does come across a conversation regarding the damned beauties, it is typically in the context of a lost sailor story. It is said that Sirens, having been cast away from the presence of Zeus, set about to sing their way into the hearts of as many seamen as they could wrap their stunning voices around. So entranced were they that they have been said to leap off the bows of their perfectly seaworthy ships to follow the sound calling to them from the watery deep and, ultimately, to their watery graves. Muses are also not a part of regular conversation, but spoken of far more often than their counter parts. When a painter unveils his latest masterpiece he often will credit his Muse. When a singer rockets up the charts with an award winning ballad, his Muse is likely given credit. So to this day, Muses good, Sirens bad.

Somewhere in between the ancient definition and the modern day vernacular the truth can be found. Muses and Sirens do exist, even today. Their story is a bit different than anything one will find in text books and poetry. Far different, in fact. A Muse is assigned to an artist. Not just ANY artist, mind you. Said artist must be committed to his craft with all his heart. Quite literally. If his heart is not in it, for instance, if his craft is but a hobby, a Muse will not generally be assigned. Exceptions are made when the casual artist just doesn't KNOW that his craft is his destiny. In such cases, and at the discretion of the board, an under-muse will be assigned. Such Muses are sent to get a close-up look into the heart of the artist. If the under-Muse sees the passion required to sustain a life of gratification and happiness through art, they will report to the board and a All-Muse will be brought in. Now, here is where it gets a bit confusing. Muses are not the ACTUAL inspiration for the artist. Muses supply the inspiration that the artist needs to further his craft. For instance, when Michelangelo set about to paint the Sistine Chapel inspiration was far from immediate. He had a stomach bug at the time, was dehydrated, suffering from a massive head ache, and there he sat...staring up at the ceiling. Before him was this huge canvas and he had nothing. Not one single idea of what he would paint in order to make Pope Julius happy. Perhaps his illness, compounded by the fact that he detested the fact that he had to paint this thing to begin with, had him in a foul mood at best.

Seeing that his pitcher was empty, and roasting in the heat of midday, Michelangelo called to an alter boy passing through the chapel with a bucket and a mop. The boy was there to clean as the artists worked, and also to tend to the artist's needs. The boy stopped in his tracks, turning to acknowledge he had been spoken to. Michelangelo told him to fetch his pitcher and bring it back full of cold water. While searching for the pitcher with his eyes, the artist pointed in the direction of its location. As the boy turned to look, refracted light (without an actual source) cast a shadow of Michelangelo's outstretched arm and pointing finger. The odd thing was that the shadow was in a corner and the image was set on both walls that met in a right angle. It looked as though the fingers pointing outward were touching. Bam! It hit him. His inspiration for what would come to be known as 'The Last Judgment', arguably Michelangelo's crowning achievement in as far as his paintings were concerned. Was it the Muse that inspired him? Yes, indirectly. By creating light where none was present, thus casting an odd shadow, she created the inspiration for him. So, not the Muse herself, but her manipulated inspiration.

Author's Note

An introduction to a longer story.

Reviews

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I read through this quickly- have to make dinner - It is really interesting ..
The Muses and Sirens .. who was the high Muse ? Kalliope?
I loved reading this .. new knowledge for me ..

Chloe