Quotes About Sappho

If we compare Sappho's poems with Anakreon's or the Sibyl's oracles with the prophet Bakis, then it is clear that the art of poetry or of prophecy is not one art practiced by men and another when practiced by women. It is the same. Can anyone protest this conclusion?

I emphasize the distinction between brackets and no brackets because it will affect your reading experience, if you will allow it. Brackets are exciting. Even though you are approaching Sappho in translation, that is no reason you should miss the drama of trying to read a papyrus torn in half or riddled with holes or smaller than a postage stamp--brackets imply a free space of imaginal adventure.

It was Sappho who likened a girl to an apple … and compared a bridegroom to Achilles. (Orationes 9.16)

détails All the same there are some small questions one would like to put to Sokrates. Or better still Sappho. Avec tes mains brûlées .

I like to think that, the more I stand out of the way, the more Sappho shows through. This is an amiable fantasy (transparency of self) within which most translators labor. If light appears, 'not ruining the eyes (as Sappho says) but strengthening, nourishing and watering,' - Aelius Aristides Orations we undo a bit of cloth.

Although only breath, words which I command are immortal.

Love shook my heart Like the wind on the mountain rushing over the oak trees.

You may blame Aphrodite soft as she is she has almost killed me with love for that boy

Later on I published these poems as Sappho's Boat to make damn sure everyone knew what I meant.

Deathless Aphrodite on your rich-wrought throne.

sing to us the one with violets in her lap ]mostly ]goes astray

Although they are only breath, words which I command are immortal

I was dreaming of you but] just then Dawn, in her golden sandals [woke me]

for when i look at you, even a moment, no speaking is left in me no: tongue breaks and thin fire is racing under skin

In Ancient Greek literature male poets tend not simply to portray women as lecherous but to attribute to them a species of lust different from that of males: a subhuman and automatic reflex, an animalistic urge. Sappho is important because she gives a fulle human voice to female desire for the first time in Western history. Since she defiantly chooses the quintessential love-object Helen of Troy as her freethinking agent, she seems fully conscious of the revolutionary claim she is making.

Suddenly Dawn in gold sandals

My heart flutters in my breast whenever I quickly glance at you- I can say nothing, my tongue is broken. A delicate fire runs under my skin, my eyes see nothing, my ears roar, cold sweat rushes down me, trembling seizes me, I am greener than grass. To myself I seem needing but little to die

When their souls grew cold they dropped their wings to their sides

A deed your lovely face if not, winter and no pain I bid you, Abanthis, take up the lyre and sing of Gongyla as again desire floats around you the beautiful. When you saw her dress it excited you. I'm happy. The Kypros-born once blamed me for praying this word: I want

for her dress when you saw it stirred you. And i rejoice. In fact she herself once blamed me Kyprogeneia because i prayed this word: i want

All would say that my tongue tells tales and for a greater man

I'm waiting to offer you a good thing in sacrifices but going there we know is labor later toward Kydro say I am coming

Blessed one May he be released from his past wrongs with luck now in harbor Kypris, may she feel your sharp needles and may she Doriha not go on crowing how he came back a second time to his desired love.

My pain drips May winds and sorrows carry off him who blames me