Mount Parnassus
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A mountain in central Greece: Mount Parnassus is a real mountain in Greece, historically and geographically significant.
- The mythological home of the Muses: In Greek mythology, Mount Parnassus is sacred to Apollo and the nine Muses, the goddesses of the arts, music, and poetry. It is thus considered the symbolic home or source of artistic and poetic inspiration.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- The ancient site of Delphi is located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.
- Poets often speak of Mount Parnassus as the source of their inspiration.
Advanced Usage
- "To climb Parnassus": A literary or figurative expression meaning to strive for poetic or artistic excellence.
- The young writer felt he was attempting to climb Parnassus with his first epic poem.
- "A Parnassian style/poet": Referring to a member of a 19th-century French literary group, the Parnassians, who emphasized strict poetic form and emotional detachment, named after the mountain.
- His precise, descriptive verse was considered Parnassian.
Variants and Related Words
- Parnassian (adjective): Pertaining to Mount Parnassus; or relating to the Parnassian school of poetry.
- The poet's Parnassian ideals focused on perfection of form.
- Parnassus (noun): Often used alone to refer to the mountain or, by extension, the world of poetry and literature.
- His work has earned him a place on the modern Parnassus.
Synonyms
- Helicon: Another mountain in Greek mythology associated with the Muses, often used similarly to Parnassus.
- Home of the Muses: A descriptive synonym for its mythological role.
Related Idioms
- "To reach Parnassus": To achieve the highest level of poetic or artistic skill.
- Many have tried, but few poets truly reach Parnassus.
Noun
- (Greek mythology) a mountain in central Greece where (according to Greek mythology) the Muses lived; known as the mythological home of music and poetry
- Liakoura is the modern name of Mount Parnassus