Momus, God of Laughter by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around a young poet who becomes disillusioned with the harsh realities of life and decides to abandon his artistic pursuits. He meets Momus, the god of laughter, who takes him on a journey through various realms, showcasing the absurdity and humor in human existence. Through this journey, the poet rediscovers his passion for art and learns to find beauty in the mundane aspects of life.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1901 · Genre: Poetry, Mythology, Philosophy · 321 words
First lines
Though with gods the world is cumbered, / Gods unnamed, and gods unnumbered, / Never god was known to be / Who had not his devotee. / So I dedicate to mine, / Here in verse, my temple-shrine.
'Tis not Ares,-mighty Mars, / Who can give success in wars. / 'Tis not Morpheus, who doth keep / Guard above us while we sleep, / 'Tis not Venus, she whose duty / 'Tis to give us love and beauty; / Hail to these, and others, after / Momus, gleesome god of laughter.
What this Textopian page supports
Momus, God of Laughter is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Mythology, Philosophy, Humor
- Length: 321 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Momus, God of Laughter by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a rhythmic and metrical structure.
- Mythology — The content references various gods from classical mythology, focusing on Momus.
- Philosophy — The themes explore philosophical ideas about joy, wisdom, and the human condition.
- Humor — The central theme revolves around laughter and the god of mirth, Momus.
Tags
Philosophy · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Novel · Comedy · Irony · Wit · Cynicism