Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse paintings of Melpoméne, she is represented with a tragic mask and also often holds in her other hand a knife or club. In Greek mythology, she is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who had eight other daughters, Melpoméne's sisters and the eight other muses are: Calliope, muse of epic poetry; Clio, muse of history; Euterpe, muse of flute playing; Terpsichore, muse of dancing; Erato, muse of erotic poetry; Thalia muse of comedy; Polyhymnia, muse of hymns; and Urania, muse of astronomy. Reynolds was inspired not only by Sarah Siddons' extreme talent to embody the tragic heroine in Macbeth, but
Valley of the Muses Valley of the Muses The Valley of the Muses was the site of an ancient Greek sanctuary to the Muses and the "Mouseia" festivals held in their honor. It is an open-air historical site open permanently to the public. It is located at Thespies on the eastern slopes of Mount Helicon in Boeotia, Greece. The recorded history of the valley began in the 6th century BC. Its greatest period started in the 3rd century BC with the establishment of the "Mouseia" festivals (Grk "Μουσεῖα"), organised every fifth year by the Thespians. Poets and musicians from all over Greece participated in