Sappho

Sappho

Among the world 's most famous poets , Sappho is arguably the best known female poet of Classical Greece . She was believed to have been born around 600 B .C . in the island of Lesbos in the Greek archipelago . Most of Sappho 's poetry did not survive antiquity , but the precious few that were left is clear , unmistakable proof that Sappho deserves to be counted as one of the best poets mankind has ever produced

Unfortunately there are no verifiable , historical records of Sappho as the woman . We glean the life and

the person from the writings that she has left us . Her poetry is all that she has left us and from these precious few words we cull out glimpses of how Sappho lived and how she was as a human being . Very little is actually known about Sappho the person the best that we can do is make inferences and assumptions based on what remains of her work . Maybe that is why Sappho remains a controversial and enigmatic figure in the world of poets . As such , it is incumbent upon us to do right by her work and do her justice through careful analysis of her poetry

Poetry , as it existed in Sappho 's days , was performed or spoken with background music . The instrument used to accompany poetry is called the lyre , which is akin to a small harp . Perhaps it is because of this element of music that gave Sappho 's poems a lyrical , expressive , almost mystical tone . In fact , Sappho did not depend on anyone else to render music to her poetry , she wrote the words and the melody . As a classical poet , Sappho was a trailblazer . She introduced new styles and improved upon the writing techniques that were prevalent in her time . Sappho was part of the group of poets who pioneered the shift from writings using the god 's point of view to mankind 's perspectives . Sappho was also credited to be among the first to use poetry as an expressive device that shows how life events affect an individual on a personal and intimate level . In a sense , Sappho gave us among the first pieces of poetry that were intended to express emotions in all its raw nakedness Her poems speak of sublime beauty that is so compelling , even thousands of years after they have been written

In one of her poems (Wilkie , 2000 ,

. 1146 "Yes , Atthis you may be sure ' Sappho writes

Now among Lydian women she in her

turn stands first as the red-

fingered moon rising at sunset takes

precedence over stars around her

her light spreads equally

on the salt sea and fields thick with bloom

In this poem Sappho speaks of beauty as a function of how we value and see the things around us . Beauty is a matter of perspective , and it can be found by anyone who is willing to look for such beauty in their everyday lives . Mankind has embraced Sappho 's take on...