# Muse — Poetry character guide

> Muse in Poetry by John Keats.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Muse

**First appearance:** 0000-imitation-of-spenser

## Who they are

The inspirational goddess of poetry, often invoked.

## In the story

### [Ode to Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/ode-to-apollo)

The Nine Muses are referenced as the powers of song that combine with Apollo.

### [To ⸻](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/to)

Referenced as the Muses, who would have been increased to ten if the beloved had lived in ancient days.

### [Where's the Poet? Show Him! Show Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/where-s-the-poet-show-him-show-him)

The Muses nine are invoked to show the poet.

### [Acrostic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/acrostic)

Referenced as the source of poetic glory in Ulysses and others.

### [Written Upon the Top of Ben Nevis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/written-upon-the-top-of-ben-nevis)

Invoked at the start as the source of a lesson to be read aloud upon the mountain.

### [Sonnet: If by Dull Rhymes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/sonnet-if-by-dull-rhymes)

Referenced as the embodiment of poetic inspiration, who should be bound with garlands of her own if not free.

### [Lines to Fanny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lines-to-fanny)

The speaker's poetic inspiration, described as having wings and being 'unintellectual, yet divine'.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/muse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters