Sappho was an Archaic Greek poet from Eresos or Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. Sappho is known for her lyric poetry, written to be sung while accompanied by music. In ancient times, Sappho was widely regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets and was given names such as the “Tenth Muse” and “The Poetess”.
Sappho was an Archaic Greek poet from Eresos or Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. Sappho is known for her lyric poetry, written to be sung while accompanied by music. In ancient times, Sappho was widely regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets and was given names such as the “Tenth Muse” and “The Poetess”.
Some of my favorite lines/quotes:
“Power intoxicates men. When a man is intoxicated by alcohol, he can recover, but when intoxicated by power, he seldom recovers.
There is no place for grief in a house which serves the muse. May I write words more naked than flesh, stronger than bone, more resilient than sinew, sensitive than nerve.
Love is a cunning weaver of fantasies and fables.
Once again love drives me on, that loosener of limbs, bittersweet creature against which nothing can be done.
Without warning as a whirlwind swoops on an oak, Love shakes my heart.
Although they are only breath, words which I command are immortal. With his venom irresistible and bittersweet that loosener of limbs, Love reptile-like strikes me down.
No honey for me, if it comes with a bee.
How is a woman making love to another woman any different than a woman making love to a man?
But the act, called the sexual act, is not for depositing of seed.
What cannot be said will be wept.”
Sappho is not only one of the few women poets we know of from antiquity, but also is one of the greatest lyric poets from any age. Most of her poems were meant to be sung by one person to the accompaniment of the lyre (hence the name, “lyric” poetry). Rather than addressing the gods or recounting epic narratives such as those of Homer, Sappho’s verses speak from one individual to another. They speak simply and directly to the “bittersweet” difficulties of love. Many critics and readers alike have responded to the personal tone and urgency of her verses, and an abundance of translations of her fragments are available today.
New favorite poet. MY FAVORITE QUOTES…
There is no place for grief in a house which serves the muse.
May I write words more naked than flesh, stronger than bone, more resilient than sinew, sensitive than nerve.
Love is a cunning weaver of fantasies and fables.
Once again love drives me on, that loosener of limbs, bittersweet creature against which nothing can be done.”
Without warning as a whirlwind swoops on an oak Love shakes my heart.
Although they are only breath, words which I command are immortal.
With his venom irresistible and bittersweet that loosener of limbs, Love reptile-like strikes me down.
No honey for me, if it comes with a bee.
How is a woman making love to another woman any different than a woman making love to a man?
But the act, called the sexual act, is not for depositing of seed.
What cannot be said will be wept.
