Editing Momus (section)

==Comedy==
[[File:Momus Tarot.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|"The Fool" (Momus), on a 17th-century playing card|left]]
Elsewhere in Europe, Momus was becoming softened into a figure of light-hearted and sentimental comedy, the equivalent of [[Harlequin]] in the French and Italian ''[[Commedia dell'arte]]''.<ref>Derek F. Connon, ''Identity and Transformation in the Plays of Alexis Piron'', London 2007, [https://books.google.com/books?id=w36s4EjIPdMC&dq=momus+theatre&pg=PA126 pp.125-6]</ref> A typical production has him competing for the amorous favours of a nymph in [[Henry Desmarets]]' opéra-ballet ''Les amours de Momus'' (1695).<ref>French language outline [http://operabaroque.fr/DESMAREST_MOMUS.htm online]</ref>

By this period, Momus was the patron of humorous satire, partnering the figures of [[comedy]] and [[tragedy]]. As such he appeared flanked by these female figures on the frontispiece to ''The Beauties of the English Stage'' (1737),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?assetId=840180001&objectId=3287471&partId=1|title=Image gallery: print / frontispiece|website=British Museum|access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> while in Leonard Defraine's ''Figures of Fabled Gods'' (1820), he partners [[Comus]], god of [[Carnival]], and [[Themis]], patroness of assemblies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allposters.com/-sp/Comus-Themis-and-Momus-Greek-Gods-Posters_i10656207_.htm|title=Comus, Themis and Momus, Greek Gods Giclee Print by Leonard Defraine at AllPosters.com|website=AllPosters.com|access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> Because of the Harlequin connection, and as the character able to make home-truths palatable through the use of humour, Momus had now taken the place of the [[Jester|Fool]] on a French [[Minchiate]] card pack. He also lent his name to [[George Saville Carey]]'s satirical poem, ''Momus, or a critical examination into the merits of the performers and comic pieces at the Theatre-Royal in the Hay-Market'' (1767).<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://name.umdl.umich.edu/004807208.0001.000|title=Momus, a poem; or a critical examination into the merits of the performers, and comic pieces, at the Theatre-Royal in the Hay-Market|first=George Saville|last=Carey|date=September 30, 2008|access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref> The god himself plays no part there, only "Momus' sons," the comic actors.