Momus

Definitions

The personification of satire and mockery.

Greek

Equivalents

Examples

“The extraordinary section of the poem that here follows is based on the mythological story of Momus, expanded by the fancy of the modern poet. The story ran that Momus, "the jester", was hurled off Olympus by the other gods, who could not endure his satirical criticism. When Zeus gave the "fatal kick⟳" that sent Momus off Olympus, it was fatal not so much to Momus as to the mountain of the gods, although apparently Olympus still aspired to heaven, while Momus went limping, crippled by his fall⟳. But the gods, lacking the criticism of his Comic Spirit, rapidly degenerated, and soon fell to earth.”

CEFR level