A Level Classical Civilisation Love and Relationships 1.4 Sappho

When was Sappho alive?

The exact dates are uncertain - 7th to 6th century BC, c. 615-530

Where was Sappho from?

Mytilene on Lesbos

Lyre

A stringed musical instrument played with a plectrum

Plectrum

A small, flat object used to pluck or strum the strings of a lyre

Monody (pl. monodies, adj. monodic)

The solo performance of poetry, associated with personal, intimate poetry.

Chorus

A number of performers singing together. Choruses would perform poems/songs at religious rituals.

Thiasos (pl. thiasoi)

A religious group which would perform at rituals.

Lyric

Poetry with love as its principal theme, which would usually be performed accompanied by a lyre (hence the name). Performances of lyric poetry would take place at symposia and religious rituals.

Topos (pl. topoi)

A recurring feature in literature. Topoi in Sappho include the pain of love, the bounty of nature, invocations of and personal relationships with the gods and the use of metaphor of nature for sex.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for literary effect.

Metaphor

Comparison made for literary effect.

Eros

Sappho uses this word for 'love'. We should think of eros as meaning passion or desire as well as love. E.g. in poem 112 the bridegroom sees 'eros' on the face of his new bride'.

Thumos

Sappho uses this word for 'heart' or 'soul'. Thumos is used to indicate powerful desire as well as to illustrate the depth of anguish or pain. E.g. in poem 1 she prays to Aphrodite not to overcome her 'thumos' with grief.

Pothos

Sappho uses this term to indicate powerful 'desire'. E.g. in poem 102 the poet is overcome with 'pothos'.