The World vs The Male Muse
If you search male muse online, articles are scarce, but the female muse has several page links you can click to read about this topic. Why are we not talking about the male muse when scores of female artists and creatives use our masculine counterparts to inspire our art? Is it because men like to talk about the females that inspire them more often, or do we focus more on the female muse in our society? Perhaps, the media is male-dominated in a way where they want to control the narrative? Why would they want to be vulnerable to the scrutiny of a female artist picking them apart to express human art?
Now don’t assume my stance on gender politics. I think, for the most part, men and women are on an even playing field and sometimes different playing fields that offer equal opportunity for winning. But, I also believe that biologically men and women think differently and respond differently to each other. It is the age-old story of men like to chase, and women like to be chased.
As a writer and poet, I have used males as my muses on several occasions and even to write entire poetry books. Sometimes I keep this to myself, and other times I tell them they are the subject of my work. I find the reaction to my transparency interesting as I am often ignored or faced with silence from my male muse. Is it because I am triggering the feeling of chasing them or outing their vulnerabilities that they panic and pretend it’s not happening?
The female muse has embraced the male artist throughout history and goes to great lengths to further his interest and please his creative drive, and often ends up in a relationship with him. Sometimes the male muse happens to be in a relationship with the female artist, but more often, the female artist is left out in the cold searching for meaning in an unrequited love story.
I can only assume from experience that women like to be seen and admired for the traits that make them human, their vulnerabilities, and their uniqueness. Men struggle with vulnerability. It’s biologically innate for them to appear strong and in control at all times. It maintains their ability to protect their communities and their families. The male muse wants to control the narrative. Female scrutiny threatens their safety, so men want to run or remain silent.
Male or female, we are human, and we are all vulnerable. I hope we get to a point in our evolution when we realize that discovering and strengthening our vulnerabilities is a valuable part of growth and progress for humanity. In a world where we find ourselves arguing about gender constructs and male/female differences and similarities, maybe it’s truly a way to embrace our vulnerabilities and come to terms with the beauty that is our humanity. Isn’t that the point of art?
S. Angell is a published poet, writer, philosopher, video blogger, and preschool teacher by day. She explores an array of topics including love, life, death, history, and society from a philosophical perspective. You can find her on Instagram @therainydaypoetess or TheRainyDayPoet.com
