Editing Melpomene (section)

== Iconography and depiction ==
[[File:Palestra grande di pompei, affreschi di Moregine, primo triclinio , IV stile, epoca neroniana, le muse 08 melpomene.jpg|thumb|Melpomene on an antique fresco from [[Pompeii]]]]
Depictions of Melpomene may include a [[Comedy and tragedy masks|tragic mask]], [[buskin]]s, lyres, scrolls, and a crown of leaves.<ref name=":0" /> She may also be shown with a dagger and a cup. Satirist [[Anthony Pasquin]] described Melpomene as "murder-loving".<ref name=":02"/>

The iconographer [[Cesare Ripa]] described Melpomene in his ''Iconologia''. An English edition describes her as "a gentlewoman all in mourning; she holds a bloody dagger in her right hand; behind her, upon the ground, a garment of cloth of gold, and diverse precious jewels; shod with ''[[cothurni]]''". Another describes her as being "of a grave aspect, in a heroic dress, with her head finely attired; she holds a cup in one hand, and a dagger in the other, with a crown and scepter at her feet; she is shod in buskins, which were used by the ancient tragedians. The grave aspect and heroic dress, denote that tragedy is a representation of famous deeds and of history".<ref name=":02"/>