Why is Melpomene the muse of tragedy?

Melpomene was the Muse of Tragedy. Her mask is sad, and she is often depicted with a weapon in her hand. Sometimes, she even holds the mask itself. Melpomene in art is also seen to be wearing the cothurnus, also known as buskins, which were boots only to be worn by actors performing in tragedies. She also wears a wreath made from a grapevine on her head, which derives from Dionysus.

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