ipl-logo

Ode To Aphrodite Analysis

903 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Different gender roles in greek mythology

Mia Pollini
Comparative Literature 30

Sappho’s Ode to Aphrodite: An Analysis

Ancient Greek poetess Sappho’s “Ode to Aphrodite” and both her and its existence are cannot be overstated; consider that during Sappho’s era, women weren’t allowed to be writers… and yet Plato still deemed Sappho the “10th muse”. Sappho’s writing is also the first time, in occidental culture, that we get to know about emotions felt by a woman – and in this case, for another woman. Sappho’s use of the ode structure, coupled with certain details, diction and auditory choices demonstrate reason this poem and Sappho herself have become revered classics admired for centuries is that both the content and the medium are so human (and how Aphrodite is also so human…) - …show more content…

While this poem is a Pindaric ode (which were written performed with a chorus and dancers) in the form it’s not very religious in intent considering Sappho is praying (arguably begging) Aphrodite to make someone who doesn’t return her affections love her. Ode to Aphrodite has twenty-eight lines, arranged in seven Sapphic stanzas which lack in pauses but is full of enjambment (for example, the first stanza beginning with “Death” and not having a period until the first line of the third stanza after car). Using enjambment connotes the feeling that emotions being expressed, in this case, Sappho’s heartbreak and desire, cannot be …show more content…

The ode begins with an anonymous speaker, but towards the end of the poem is identified as Sappho by Aphrodite. Groundbreaking with its intimacy and openness, Sappho writes the ode to ask Aphrodite for her help in making an unrequited love requited– and not for the first time, shown through the use of the parenthetical “now again” Are in the fourth and fifth stanzas. Moreover, all of Sappho’s “if’s highlight how hopeful she is, and how willing Aphrodite is to assuage any of the unfavorable situations (the unnamed woman refusing gifts, for instance) by setting them up with “if”’s and then shooting them down. Towards the end, after Aphrodite’s interlude, Sappho is more assertive with statements like “come to me now” and “You be my ally” (28). In fact, Sappho and Aphrodite seem somewhat spiteful, with a little bit of a manipulative undertone showing through phrases like “soon she will love even unwilling”. But the venom is balanced out when Sappho shows the extent of her need, with images of urgency and intensity: quick sparrows, wings whipping, black hearth, to name a few. Ultimately, focusing on the use of the parenthetical now against; Sappho is in a somewhat humorous way, acknowledging that eros is fickle, that these feelings are strong - but

Show More
Related
290 Words | 2 Pages

Reading the Poems of Sappho translated by Julia Dubnoff is a powerful and emotional experience. Sappho's poetry is known for its intense emotionality, and Dubnoff's translation brings that emotion to life in a way that is both accessible and relatable to a modern audience. One of the most striking things about Sappho's poetry is the way she uses imagery and metaphor to express her feelings and emotions. From the lush and detailed descriptions of nature, to the clever and evocative comparisons she makes, Sappho's poetry is full of vivid and powerful imagery.

Read More
1809 Words | 8 Pages

The different key features also plays an important role for example the tone that is being formed by the lyrical voice that can be seen as a nephew or niece. This specific poem is also seen as an exposition of what Judith Butler will call a ‘gender trouble’ and it consist of an ABBA rhyming pattern that makes the reading of the poem better to understand. The poem emphasizes feminist, gender and queer theories that explains the life of the past and modern women and how they are made to see the world they are supposed to live in. The main theories that will be discussed in this poem will be described while analyzing the poem and this will make the poem and the theories clear to the reader. Different principals of the Feminist Theory.

Read More
1112 Words | 5 Pages

In The Odyssey, references to musicians or poets like the author, Homer, are often used to enhance the story and the character of the poem’s hero, Odysseus. Homer inserts himself and his identity as a storyteller into his story this way, creating a comparative relationship between himself and his hero. Homer’s comparative relationship, expressed through the use of the character Demodokhos, the use of deities, and descriptions of Odysseus himself, stresses the importance of storytellers as most fit to understand heroes and their stories. As directed by the poet, storytellers in the poem are most able to provide insight into those they speak about because of the similarities between them and their heroes. Directly embodying Homer and other poets,

Read More
635 Words | 3 Pages

Women have been oppressed in male dominant societies since ancient times and still are in some present-day societies. Homer’s The Odyssey gives insights into the Greek culture through the story of Odysseus and the challenges he faces in attempts of returning home to Ithaca. The epic poem revolves around men, or in particular, their hardships and accomplishments while rarely providing women’s perspective of life. Millay’s “An Ancient Gesture” empathizes with Penelope’s difficulties and admires her fortitude, while the poem addresses Odysseus’s fault with his lack of understanding and empathy.

Read More
1522 Words | 7 Pages

Desire is a consuming force that causes the body to act without consulting the mind. Anne Carson’s translation of Sappho’s fragments in, If Not Winter, creates experiences in which, eros produces a gap between the subject and the desired object. With the use of vivid imagery and overt symbolism within fragment 105A, Sappho allows her readers to experience the uncontrollable forces of desire and attraction which govern a person who is in love; even if such feelings are irrational. This ultimately creates a tangible distance between the subject and the object she desires. In this paper, I will argue that longing after an unattainable person becomes so consuming that it eventually produces madness within the desiring individual.

Read More
1343 Words | 6 Pages

The language in Plato’s symposium and the expression of Sappho’s poetry are similar in that they both deal with homoerotic love. Sappho, the only ancient Greek female author whose work survived, talks from the female point of observation, where as Plato’s work concentrates on the idea of love among males. In spite of the fact that both of their points of view are comparative in courses, for example, their thoughts of physical fascination and want, Plato’s work creates a better understanding of the nature of love then Sappho’s ideas. This understanding will be shown with three arguments and counter- arguments in order to demonstrate the dominance of Plato over Sappho. It will than be concluded with an overview of the main idea and a recap of the three arguments made for Plato.

Read More
978 Words | 4 Pages

The union of both sexes is a notable metaphor in both “Symposium” and “Lysistrata”; however, the nature of the love between the sexes draws a distinction between both works. In Symposium, Aristophanes described how both sexes were so powerful when united; and when they were separated, human beings still strived to be united once more by any means. On the other hand, in Lysistrata the characters were already married and united; however, women found their true strength when they started a psychological war on their men. Even though both works drew the readers’ attention to the need for love, Symposium emphasizes the union of sexes in a way that the characters in Lysistrata will never reach; where love is not only about sex and physical attraction, but it’s also about a healthy relationship occupied with affection and caring.

Read More
594 Words | 3 Pages

He questions Agathon about love, “all love is love of something”. He also questions him about what he said in his speech of love and at one point Pausanias thought he was wrong. His main arguments in his speech is that love is not a possession. Although we desire it, it isn’t ours to control and that love can be of something or someone. He refers to Diotima, which is a woman he learned from about love and incorporates it into his speech.

Read More
847 Words | 4 Pages

Another influential factor expressed in Sappho’s writing was her sexuality. Disregarding the fact that she was married to a man for a brief period of time, Sappho found a great interest in women (Poetry Foundation). As an illustration, the poem “In My Eyes He Matches the Gods” is enthusiastic towards Sappho’s sexuality. This poem is about a women Sappho sees sitting across the room and with a man. Sappho is envious of said man and states it does not matter who the man is with this women, any guy would be like the gods getting to be with her, hence the name of the poem.

Read More
742 Words | 3 Pages

Although in Fragments 130 and 31, Sappho doesn’t directly tell the person who she’s admiring but instead keeps her feelings to herself. Meanwhile the Shulamite and her lover are both aware of each other feelings. The Song of Songs is described as a poem that expresses the sexual awaken or even yearning between two lovers. However in ancient Jerusalem it could be considered as an illicit relationship since both lovers were not married.

Read More
700 Words | 3 Pages

The various ideologies of love mentioned by speakers in Plato’s Symposium portrayed the social and cultural aspect of ancient Greece. In the text, there were series of speeches given by Phaedrus, Pausanias, Eryximachus, Aristophanes, Socrates, and Agathon about the idea of love, specifically the effect and nature of Eros. Within the speakers, Agathon’s speech was exceptional in that his speech shifted the focus of the audience from effect of Eros on people, to the nature and gifts from the Eros. Despite Agathon’s exceptional remarks about Eros, Socrates challenged Agathon’s characterization of Eros through utilization of Socratic Method.

Read More
822 Words | 4 Pages

Theodor Storm (1817-1888) was a German lawyer and writer who is perhaps best known for his novellas, most notably his last completed work “Der Schimmelreiter”. His writing developed from the lyrical depiction of love and nature, via artful fairy tales inspired by E.T.A Hoffmann and Hans Christian Andersen to realist prose. “Die Nachtigall” appears in the fairy tale Hinzelmeier, but this context is immaterial to the poem’s interpretation. It elaborates on a young girl’s transition to adulthood from the point of view of an outside observer and captivates the reader with its melodiousness and simplicity. It consists of two stanzas of five verses each.

Read More
746 Words | 3 Pages

Sophocles’ Electra is a well-known Greek tragedy, set place at Mycenae after the Trojan wars. In the tragedy Electra plays one of the most important roles among the Chorus. The Chorus often sympathises with Electra and also helps the reader (or the audience considering it was written as a play) to understand the events better. The Chorus shares emotions with Electra, such as her grief and frustration, or her joy upon the return of Osteres. In my essay I will discuss the importance of the Chorus and how to the presence of the Chorus guides the audience.

Read More
352 Words | 2 Pages

At last but not least, the author employs negative diction, such as: “vexed” (1.1.199), “madness” (1.1.200), and “gall” (1.1.201). “Vexed” denotes annoyed, and “madness” denotes insanity. Since Romeo is referring to love in such a negative way, this shows that Romeo is pessimistic about love. In this passage, the metaphors demonstrate that love is short-lasting, depressing, and conflicting. Due to the metaphor and negative diction in this passage, the author characterizes Romeo as a person who is conflicted and frustrated by love.

Read More
746 Words | 3 Pages

Made from parian marble sculpted separately before being fixed with vertical legs, this piece of art is usually thought to portray Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of physical love and beauty. Venus de Milo is a statue of a naked woman with no arms, restoration experts have said that the statues arms and original base or plinth have been lost almost since the work arrived in Paris in 1820. It has been said that this was partly due to an error of identification because when the statue was originally reassembled, the other pieces that came of the left hand and arm were not believed to belong to it because of their overall rough appearance. This goddess is often shown with mystery, her attitude always tends to be unknown. However to this day, many experts are confident that these additional pieces were part of the original work of art despite the variation in the final product since it was often common to spend less time and effort to the parts believed to be less visible of a sculpture, Many sculpture reconstruction experts guess that the separately carved right arm of the Venus de Milo laid across her torso with her right hand rested on her raised left knee, hence her clasping the clothing covering

Read More

More about Ode To Aphrodite Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document