In Movies & Television
The Muse (1999)
Click the picture to be redirected to the trailer for "The Muse"
Directed by Albert Brooks, "The Muse" is about a writer who has "lost his edge" and needs a way to rekindle his ability to write. His friend suggests to him that he contacts Sarah, a self-proclaimed "muse" to those in the entertainment industry. He sees success with her, but her outrageous demands make it difficult for him to afford working with her.
This modern perspective on the role of a Muse is an obviously askew account of what one's actual role was in mythology. In ancient texts, the Muses were called upon, but they never demanded any sort of "payment" for their inspiration.
This overall portrayal makes Sarah out to be more of a bargainer as opposed to a simple inspiration. Instead of being called upon with words or gifts, she makes those who want to use her resources pay for them at a high cost. If anything, this movie certainly brings a modern, capitalized perspective on the concept of what used to be a great gift from myth.
This modern perspective on the role of a Muse is an obviously askew account of what one's actual role was in mythology. In ancient texts, the Muses were called upon, but they never demanded any sort of "payment" for their inspiration.
This overall portrayal makes Sarah out to be more of a bargainer as opposed to a simple inspiration. Instead of being called upon with words or gifts, she makes those who want to use her resources pay for them at a high cost. If anything, this movie certainly brings a modern, capitalized perspective on the concept of what used to be a great gift from myth.
Hercules (1997)
Click the image to be redirected to the Muses' introduction in "Hercules"
The Disney classic "Hercules" provided some of the earliest exposure of Greek mythology for those born in the 1990's and beyond. It tells the story of Heracles, an ancient hero whose greatest feats were overcoming the twelve labors set upon him.
Five of the Muses are shown in this film. On the image provided, they are as follows from left to right:
Thalia (who makes fun of the way the narrator tells the story, as being too tragic)
Melpomene (who carries the tragedian mask)
Calliope (whose introduction states, "We are the Muses, goddesses of the arts and proclaimers of heroes")
Clio (who is seen with a scroll)
Terpsichore
These five Muses use their role in the movie to tell the story of Hercules. As a children's movie, it is an effective way of getting the plot across, but it does not use their roles as inspirers in any way. However, their portrayal of the Muses with their props and personalities is fairly accurate.
Five of the Muses are shown in this film. On the image provided, they are as follows from left to right:
Thalia (who makes fun of the way the narrator tells the story, as being too tragic)
Melpomene (who carries the tragedian mask)
Calliope (whose introduction states, "We are the Muses, goddesses of the arts and proclaimers of heroes")
Clio (who is seen with a scroll)
Terpsichore
These five Muses use their role in the movie to tell the story of Hercules. As a children's movie, it is an effective way of getting the plot across, but it does not use their roles as inspirers in any way. However, their portrayal of the Muses with their props and personalities is fairly accurate.
Down To Earth (1947)
Click the image to view a scene of "Down to Earth"
"Down to Earth" is about a Broadway producer whose play makes fun of the Muses. Terpsichore hears about it and flies down to earth, auditions for the play, makes it in, and then tries to restore the Muses' image, failing in the process while also falling in love with the producer.
Terpischore, as the Muse of Choral Song and Dance, is obviously a fitting role for this movie, whose perspective on the Muses is an interesting one. It begins with an unrealistic portrayal of the Muses and develops as Terpsichore attempts to convince the producer that the Muses did, in fact, provide inspiration and were used for good. This is not necessarily an incorrect interpretation of the role of the Muses but instead provides a type of plot that is simply different than the Muses' traditional roles would necessitate.
Terpischore, as the Muse of Choral Song and Dance, is obviously a fitting role for this movie, whose perspective on the Muses is an interesting one. It begins with an unrealistic portrayal of the Muses and develops as Terpsichore attempts to convince the producer that the Muses did, in fact, provide inspiration and were used for good. This is not necessarily an incorrect interpretation of the role of the Muses but instead provides a type of plot that is simply different than the Muses' traditional roles would necessitate.
The Nanny - "No Muse is Good Muse"
Click the image to view the episode.
In this episode of The Nanny, Fran claims she will write a hit song about her misery as a single woman to become famous. However, in the process, she ends up meeting Tasha, an overly-dramatic hit singer-songwriter who sees Fran's "sad" life and takes her in as her Muse. However, as she finds out that Fran's life isn't so bad, she drops her and finds a new Muse.
This representation of the Muse takes a very modern approach to the idea. A singer needs an inspiration in a dark sense in order to be successful. This differs from the Greek role of the Muses in the sense that only one of them represented tragedy and that, in fact, many of them were cheerful and inspire love, poetry, and happy song.
This representation of the Muse takes a very modern approach to the idea. A singer needs an inspiration in a dark sense in order to be successful. This differs from the Greek role of the Muses in the sense that only one of them represented tragedy and that, in fact, many of them were cheerful and inspire love, poetry, and happy song.