Melpomene

In Greek mythology, Melpomene, is the Muse of tragedy in Greek mythology. She is described as the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne along with the other Muses, and she is often portrayed with a tragic theatrical mask. Etymology Melpomene's name is derived from the Greek verb melpô or melpomai meaning "to celebrate with dance and song". The Oxford English Dictionary cites μέλπειν (melpein – to sing). Myth Melpomene is one of the nine Muses, the Muse of tragedy. Hesiod, Apollodorus, and Diodorus Siculus all held that Melpomene was the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. She was the sister of the other Muses, Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania. Apollodorus, Lycophron, and Gaius Julius Hyginus said that Melpomene was the mother of the sirens, though some ancient writers identified this role with other figures. Melpomene is described as singing songs of mourning for people of note after they die, particularly for poets.