# The Muse — Eugene Onegin character guide > The Muse in Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Muse, LIII The Muse **First appearance:** 0012-viii ## Who they are The poetic muse who inspires the narrator and appears as a personified figure. ## Relationships ### [Eugene Onegin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/characters/eugene_onegin) _psychological_ The Muse represents Pushkin's poetic inspiration, with Onegin serving as a foil to the author's creative spirit. ## In the story ### [A Short Biographical Notice of Alexander Pushkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/a-short-biographical-notice-of-alexander-pushkin) Referenced indirectly through Pushkin's poetic inspiration and the reflection of his life in his work. ### [Canto the First: "The Spleen"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/canto-the-first-the-spleen) Invoked in the opening as the poet prepares to write the romance. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xv) Alluded to as the drama of the poet's youth played beneath the side-scene's shade. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xvi) The narrator addresses his muses, lamenting their absence and the loss of inspiration they once provided. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xvii) The Muse is invoked through the description of Istomina's dance, embodying the artistic inspiration of the performance. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxix) The poet invokes Terpsichore, the muse of dance, as the subject of admiration. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xliii) The poet invokes inspiration from Apollo's sons, aligning himself with the muse of poetry. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/li) The narrator's Muse is revived by past images and is the subject of inquiry regarding whom she adores. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/lii) Implied as the source of inspiration that recognizes the poet's meditative incantation. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/liii) Appears to the poet after love has passed, rekindling his creative spirit. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxii) Lenski's Muse is described as having a mournful temper, influenced by his love for Olga. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xl) The poet addresses the Muse, expressing gratitude to admirers who cherish his poetry. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxi) The narrator addresses his Muse, whom he must now employ with Tattiana's letter. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxvi) Described as stormy, inciting Lenski's poetic efforts. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xxxvi) The Muse is mentioned as being abandoned in this alternate, prosaic life. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xliii) Invoked as 'youth’s early inspiration' to invigorate the poet's imagination and prevent spiritual decay. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/v) The capricious Muse is invoked to accompany the narrator to the countryside. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlvii) Implied through the discussion of Melpomene, Thalia, and Terpsichore, the muses of tragedy, comedy, and dance. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xlix) The poet addresses his lyre and muse, dedicating the strain to an unnamed beauty. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/lii) Invoked as the epic Muse to guide the poet's song ### [Canto the Eighth: The Great World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/canto-the-eighth-the-great-world) Appears in the opening stanzas as Pushkin's inspiration, now leading him into high society. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/i) The Muse appears to the poet in his boyhood, inspiring his early poetry. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/ii) The narrator's Muse is mentioned as being encouraged to sing more sweetly by his companions. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/iii) The poet's Muse, who accompanied him to feasts and fights and brought the gift of song. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/iv) The Muse is personified as a constant companion who inspires the narrator's poetic journey. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/v) The Muse leaves the capital and roams among gipsy hordes, then appears transformed in the garden. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/vi) The poet's Muse is led into good society for the first time, observing the aristocratic gathering with amazement. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/characters/the_muse - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eugene_onegin_se/characters