Sappho’s Tithonus poem bears an interesting duality of historical and literary relevance. Within this essay I focus on the relationship between Sappho and her audience as well as her use of myth, bearing in mind historical context and literary language, and structure.
Sappho’s historical background is limited, with scant concrete evidence as to how her poems were performed, what her life was like or what type of relationship she had with her peers. The generally accepted theory is that her ‘circle’ consisted of a chorus, of which she was the leader. This circle was most likely a group of young women, some of which may have been her lovers. While Sappho’s history remains mysterious, her Tithonus poem reveals some information about Sappho’s
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relationship with her audience, in this poem’s context. The singer, and ultimately Sappho, opens with informal and personal language: “[You for] the fragrant bosomed [Muses’ lovely gifts / [be zealous,] girls…” (Sappho 58.1-2). The singer addresses the audience with a singular “You”, suggesting a level of intimacy, as if she were speaking to each member of her audience individually. The singer then encourages the “girls” to pursue the gifts of the Muses while their bodies are young and able. On a historical level this reaffirms that Sappho had close relationships with the girls surrounding her, in this instance the language demonstrates comradeship, rather than homosexual intimacy associated with some of her other poems. In my opinion, this passage also demonstrates a teacher-pupil relationship in which the older woman, Sappho, offers advice, encouraging her pupils to pursue the Muses’ gifts, while they can. The following versus support my interpretation, as the singer reflects upon how her body has changed, using herself as an example of what these young women will eventually experience: “[but my once tender] body old age now / [has seized;] my hair’s turned [white] instead of dark…” (Sappho 58.3-4). The singer describes how her hair grows white instead of dark, revealing how her body is changing. The singer continues with: “my heart’s grown heavy, my knees will not support me, / that once at a time were fleet for the dance as fawns.” (Sappho 58.7-8). Here the singer uses simile to further illustrate how she can no longer dance like she used to, referring to one of Muses’ gifts from the beginning of the poem. The singer utilizes her old age multiple time to encourage audience to readily pursue the Muses’ gifts. These images also create a clear distinction between the singer, Sappho and her audience, who remain young. M.L. West’s article “The New Sappho” also interprets this passage similarly however, he argues Tithonus serves as an example of ageing, in addition to the singer. During my initial reading of the poem, I interpreted the Tithonus allusion as demonstrating the inevitability of ageing.
However, the interpretation does not make sense as the story of Tithonus more demonstrates Eos’s failure to ask Zeus for eternal youth in addition to immortality. My initial interpretation is further disproved when considering the tale of Ganymede, as he is a mortal who successfully achieves both immortality and eternal youth. The Tithonus reference serves to reinforce the singer’s advice to her audience: “handsome and young then, yet in time grey age / o’ertook him, husband of immortal wife.” (Sappho 58.11-12). “Yet in time grey age / o’ertook him” closely mirrors the language the singer uses earlier to describe how her hair turned white. Additionally, Tithonus was left to continuously age while married to an eternally beautiful wife, just like the singer, Sappho, was constantly surrounded by younger girls. The Tithonus portion of the poem is also interesting as it contributes to the poem’s unique structure; the poem never returns to the initial narrative. Instead, the singer concludes with Tithonus, adding to the emotional impact of the poem. The brevity of its conclusion reflects the brevity of the singer’s and the audience’s lives, the body grows old and eventually they will not be able to do all they used to.
Sappho’s Tithonus poem holds much in the way of historical and literary value. It elaborates on Sappho’s relationship with her circle, as
a place of close friendship and personal exchange. In addition, her use of myth contributes to its unique structure as well as its emotional impact.
Prometheus Bound is quite different from other tragedies in that it is peopled entirely by gods. The play focuses on the story of Prometheus, and we have versions of this myth in Hesiod's famous works. There is reason to think that the author of Prometheus Bound was not only acquainted with Hesiod's version but actually drew on Hesiod directly in this play. This essay therefore aims to establish in what ways the author of Prometheus Bound seems to have drawn from Hesiod's version of myth, in what ways he has diverged from it, and what reasons he might have had for making these changes and innovations. This might therefore highlight any particular emphasis or purpose of Prometheus Bound and what its author might have been trying to get across. Though there is not space in this essay to discuss the problems of attributing this play, it must be recognised that this ambiguity of authorship and dating makes it even more difficult than usual to look at views and purposes behind the play.
Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus can be argued that it is related loosely to Rita Dove's The Darker Face of the Earth. This comparative and contrasting characteristics that can be seen within both plays make the reader/audience more aware of imagery, the major characters, plot, attitudes towards women, and themes that are presented from two very different standpoints. The authors Sophocles and Dove both have a specific goal in mind when writing the two plays. In this paper I will take a closer look of the two, comparing and contrasting the plays with the various elements mentioned previously.
The. Penelope's Renown. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1991. Hesiod. Theogony.
Eupriedes, Medea and Sappho’s writing focus on women to expose the relationships between a variety of themes and the general ideal that women are property. The main characters in both pieces of literature demonstrate similar situations where love and sex result in a serious troll. These themes affected their relationship with themselves and others, as well as, incapability to make decisions which even today in society still affects humans. Headstrong actions made on their conquest for everlasting love connects to sacrifices they made to achieve their goal which ultimately ended in pain. Love and sex interferes with development of human emotions and character throughout the course
Although Homer’s The Odyssey is a tale of Odysseus’s heroic quest to return to Ithaca, the women in it play an equal, if not more important role. The saying “behind every great man is an even greater woman” rings true throughout The Odyssey. In Ancient Greek culture, one’s glory is based off of the geras they acquire; for men that glory included women. In Penelope, Odysseus found the perfect match, both intellectually and hospitably; she is clever, cunning and faithful. Penelope, along with other mortal and immortal women such as Athena, challenge the view of women during this time because Homer presented Penelope as a strong woman rather than the submissive character she is expected to be.
The affair between Ares and Aphrodite poses the question of whether Odysseus will return home to find Penelope with another man. The story of Klytemnestra and Agamemnon is a theme itself throughout most of the poem. Therefore its is hard to ignore it as both hold the same story with different outcomes. In addition, the level of anxiety builds through Penelope's actions and the contradicting traits of different women.
In Sophocles' most famous Theban play consisting of two parts, "Oedipus the King" and "Antigone", both parts are necessary in understanding some of the things that happened around them, and what type of man had raised Antigone. She is the main character in the play of “Antigone”.
Ancient Greece produced a multitude of sophisticated poets. One such poet, Sappho, happens to be the only female Ancient Greek author, in the midst of a male-driven field, whose work has survived. Frequently referred to as the tenth muse, Sappho often wrote on the topic of homosexuality. Her poetry, combined with the name of the island she lived on, Lesbos, inspired the modern day term ‘lesbian’. Another influential Greek poet was Catullus. Catullus typically wrote using intense emotion; this periodically led to the use of vulgar language. Catullus was a blunt, bold anti-political writer whom consistently referenced Sappho throughout his poetry. Although there are a plethora of differences between the two poets, such as their writing style; with Sappho including an abundance of detail while Catullus opted for a more concise approach, there are also distinct similarities. Both poets discuss controversial topics; more importantly, neither were afraid to stand up for what they believed in.
Sophocles’ background influenced him to write Antigone. One important influence on the drama was the author’s life in the “golden era” of Athens during fifth century BCE. In that time, Athens was experiencing much change in all facets, and drama was a major factor in Athenian culture. In his essay “Sophocles,” Ed Downey reports that Sophocles was born at the beginning of the “golden era” in Athens and lived a long life influenced by “the artistic and cultural achievements in the ancient Greek world”. Sophocles was a wealthy and highly educated, “happy man.” As a young man, Sophocles began his playwright career, eventually becoming one of the greatest writers in history although only seven of his works are still intact (1). Similarly, the setting
During her time, Sappho was unique because her stories chose to focus on love while most other stories focused on wars. An example of this is shown as Sappho starts poem 16 with an optimistic approach to love as she argues that "some men say an army of horses…is the most beautiful thing on the black earth. But I say it is what you love". This personal approach on love's allure is much more relatable for an audience than war, as most people will experience these powerful emotions in their lifetime but not all will experience war directly. Sappho's even compares her own life experiences with that of Helen, who left her entire family for Paris of Troy. She states that the story "reminded me now of Anaktoria" but most importantly that she "would rather see her lovely step and the motion of light on her face than chariots of Lydians". Sappho says much more with this line than just of love's power, she is also alluding to the loss of someone she loved. This unusual first-person incorporation to a well-known part of history gives the audience an idea of just how painful love can be, as the idea of getting it back overcomes the excitement of war for
Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex has fascinated readers for over two millennia with its tale of a man who falls from greatness to shame. The enigmatic play leaves many questions for the reader to answer. Is this a cruel trick of the gods? Was Oedipus fated to kill his father and marry his mother? Did he act of his own free will? Like the Greeks of centuries past, we continue to ponder these perennial questions. Part of the genius of Sophocles is that he requires a great deal of mental and spiritual involvement from his audience.
In classical Greek literature the subject of love is commonly a prominent theme. However, throughout these varied texts the subject of Love becomes a multi-faceted being. From this common occurrence in literature we can assume that this subject had a large impact on day-to-day life. One text that explores the many faces of love in everyday life is Plato’s Symposium. In this text we hear a number of views on the subject of love and what the true nature of love is. This essay will focus on a speech by Pausanius. Pausanius’s speech concentrates on the goddess Aphrodite. In particular he looks at her two forms, as a promoter of “Celestial Love” as well as “Common Love.” This idea of “Common Love” can be seen in a real life context in the tragedy “Hippolytus” by Euripides. This brings the philosophical views made by Pausanius into a real-life context.
The ineffaceable impression which Sophocles makes on us today and his imperishable position in the literature of the world are both due to his character-drawing. If we ask which of the men and women ofGreek tragedy have an independent life in the imagination apart from the stage and from the actual plot in which they appear, we must answer, ‘those created by Sophocles, above all others’ (36).
At the beginning of the epic poem, The Lord and Mephisto are introduced in a very intricate conversation, openly discussing their thoughts over humanity. Here we learn that Mephisto tr...
In this Epic Poem the value of loyalty is expressed by many characters. First of all, Odysseus, a Trojan War hero, shows his loyalty by never replacing his wife, Penelope, for someone else. Odysseus is stuck on the island of Kalypso, who is a beautiful sea nymph, when he is tempted to fall in love with her. Odysseus is loyal enough to Penelope and focuses on getting home to see her. Without this value, Odysseus would have fallen in love with everyone on his journey home. Odysseus shows how loyalty is a value that everyone needs in life. In addition, Eumaios and Philoitios, residents of Ithaka, display their loyalty by fighting for Odysseus not against him. Odysseus is disguised as a beggar and tests the faithfulness of Eumaios and Philoitios. He wants to see if they are still loyal to him so he asks them if they would fight for Odysseus if he comes back. They answer by saying, “You’d see the fight in me!” showing how they still care for their leader (20.260). In the end, their loyalty pays off because Odysseus knows of their trustworthiness, so he does not kill them in battle. Eumaios and Philoitios’ integrity is something that Odysseus and others honor. Finally, Penelope’s faithfulness to Odysseus plays an important part in this novel. If Penelope did ...