Loeb 1: Aphrodite, goddess of the embroidered throne
Summary:
Sappho implores Aphrodite to come to her aid as her heart is in anguish as she experiences unrequited love. She makes clear her personal
connection to the goddess who has come to her aid many times in the past. She asks Aphrodite to leave Olympus and travel to the earth to
give her personal aid. Sappho uses a striking image of Aphrodite yoking her chariot drawn by sparrows as she descends to the mortal realm.
Aphrodite comes quickly, showing her care for Sappho and the urgency of Sappho's plea.
When Aphrodite arrives she is smiling in a tender, motherly (or perhaps mocking) was and asks what the cause of her suffering was. She
questions who is hurting Sappho, showing her deep care for her. She then speaks directly, in the form of an ancient spell, to tell Sappho that
soon the object of her love will love her in return - even against her will.
The poem ends with Sappho expressing her desire for Aphrodite to help her and be her ally in her personal war of love.
● This poem has many Homeric features to it. Scholar Ruby Blondell believes it is an subversion of Iliad Book 5 where Aphrodite attempts
to help her child on the battlefield but fails. Here, Sappho gives Aphrodite the power to succeed.
It is also the only poem in which Sappho names herself, making it even more personal.
Analysis:
● Sapphic metre
● Tripartite structure
● Invocation of the goddess – Kletic poem
● Homeric features – epithets
● The poem begins with a dramatic address to 'Aphrodite, goddess of the embroidered throne' - this is an apostrophe. This address
immediately makes the poem seem like a woman's prayer. This is also Homeric due to the grand language and the goddess.
● She then uses two epithets to describe Aphrodite as 'Daughter of Zeus; weaver of wiles' which gives the poem its Homeric tinge. This
highlights her power as an Olympian goddess and also her more mischievous side she is very devious. She is seen as skilled in
deception, making her the perfect person to appeal to in order to ensnare a reluctant lover.
● We see Sappho as desperate as she says 'I beg you' which is also dramatic and imploring.
Summary:
Sappho implores Aphrodite to come to her aid as her heart is in anguish as she experiences unrequited love. She makes clear her personal
connection to the goddess who has come to her aid many times in the past. She asks Aphrodite to leave Olympus and travel to the earth to
give her personal aid. Sappho uses a striking image of Aphrodite yoking her chariot drawn by sparrows as she descends to the mortal realm.
Aphrodite comes quickly, showing her care for Sappho and the urgency of Sappho's plea.
When Aphrodite arrives she is smiling in a tender, motherly (or perhaps mocking) was and asks what the cause of her suffering was. She
questions who is hurting Sappho, showing her deep care for her. She then speaks directly, in the form of an ancient spell, to tell Sappho that
soon the object of her love will love her in return - even against her will.
The poem ends with Sappho expressing her desire for Aphrodite to help her and be her ally in her personal war of love.
● This poem has many Homeric features to it. Scholar Ruby Blondell believes it is an subversion of Iliad Book 5 where Aphrodite attempts
to help her child on the battlefield but fails. Here, Sappho gives Aphrodite the power to succeed.
It is also the only poem in which Sappho names herself, making it even more personal.
Analysis:
● Sapphic metre
● Tripartite structure
● Invocation of the goddess – Kletic poem
● Homeric features – epithets
● The poem begins with a dramatic address to 'Aphrodite, goddess of the embroidered throne' - this is an apostrophe. This address
immediately makes the poem seem like a woman's prayer. This is also Homeric due to the grand language and the goddess.
● She then uses two epithets to describe Aphrodite as 'Daughter of Zeus; weaver of wiles' which gives the poem its Homeric tinge. This
highlights her power as an Olympian goddess and also her more mischievous side she is very devious. She is seen as skilled in
deception, making her the perfect person to appeal to in order to ensnare a reluctant lover.
● We see Sappho as desperate as she says 'I beg you' which is also dramatic and imploring.
