Melinda Houston, writing for The Age, takes a look at the muse through history. From ancient Greece, to Robert Graves, to Woody Allen’s current collaboration with Scarlett Johansson.

“For the ancient Greeks and Romans, muses were mystical goddesses. Then in the 1940s British poet Robert Graves produced his own definition of the muse, conveniently placing the goddess within a mortal woman. Now, instead of having to go through complicated quasi-religious rituals to access inspiration, you just had to hook up with the right girl. It was clearly an idea whose time had come. The actual three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood muse is making a comeback – much to the delight and relief of ageing fashion models, daughters of famous people, and bored rich girls everywhere. But the trouble with being a muse is that ultimately, you get dumped for a fresher model – something for which Woody Allen is famous.”

Houston also gives “tips” on how to become a good muse (if you happen to be into that sort of thing).

“Be rich. Most muses aren’t paid. You’ll need an independent income, at least in the short term. Inspiration financier’s wife Nan Kempner, muse to Yves St Laurent, and arts patron Sunday Reed, who bankrolled many artists inspired by her.”

Personally, I prefer a reliance on the nine Muses, to the somewhat more predatory practices of certain filmmakers and fashion designers.

Tags: Muses, Paganism