What is a classical muse?

a beautiful woman that a poet claims inspires him to write
a mythological divinity said to speak through a performing bard
a four-stringed instrument that poets used to accompanied their singing
a singing figure with the body of a bird and the head of a woman

Question

What is a classical muse?

a beautiful woman that a poet claims inspires him to write
a mythological divinity said to speak through a performing bard
a four-stringed instrument that poets used to accompanied their singing
a singing figure with the body of a bird and the head of a woman

Vocaloid · Answer

https://www.infoplease.com/arts-entertainment/mythology/nine-muses pay special attention to the first sentence.