Melpomene
/mɛlˈpɒm.ə.niː/noun
In Greek mythology, the Muse of tragedy; in modern use, a poetic name associated with tragedy or the tragic arts.
Did you know?Melpomene’s name is tied to the Greek verb melpō, meaning “to sing” or “to celebrate with song,” which shows that tragedy began as sacred performance, not just sadness.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Μελπομένη (Melpoménē)
“The Muse of tragedy, one of the nine Muses”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέλπω (melpō)
“to sing, chant, celebrate with song”
Latin
Latin
Melpomene
“Borrowed as the name of the tragic Muse in classical literature”
14th Century
English
Melpomene
“Used in learned and poetic English for the Muse of tragedy”
Modern English
English
Melpomene
“A literary or mythological name for the Muse of tragedy”
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