Dive into the intriguing world of Sappho, the mysterious Greek poet whose life and work continue to captivate. Discover the emotional depth of her poetry and the societal constraints she faced. Explore how her fragments resonate with modern themes of love and identity. Guests share their personal connections to Sappho’s work, highlighting her lasting legacy. The discussion also critiques translations that miss the essence of her identity, inviting listeners to reconsider the stories of historical female writers.
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insights INSIGHT
Limited Historical Facts on Sappho
We know very few definite facts about Sappho: she was a 7th-century BCE poet from Lesbos.
Most personal details come from later, often unreliable sources, making her life largely mysterious.
insights INSIGHT
Uncertainty Around Sappho's Family
Many family details attributed to Sappho are uncertain and speculative.
Even the identity of her father is unclear, with multiple possible names recorded centuries later.
insights INSIGHT
Sappho's Pioneering Lyric Style
Sappho's poetry is radically different from other ancient literature in its emotional intensity.
She expresses personal, subjective feelings which were a new invention of love poetry.
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The play revolves around Medea, a Colchian princess and sorceress, who seeks revenge against her husband Jason after he decides to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth. Medea, feeling betrayed and dishonored, plots to kill Glauce, Creon, and her own children to inflict maximum pain on Jason. With the help of Aegeus, King of Athens, who offers her sanctuary, Medea executes her plan, leading to the tragic deaths of several characters and her eventual escape in a chariot provided by her grandfather, the sun-god Helios. The play explores themes of injustice, revenge, and the power of women in ancient Greek society[2][3][4].
Macbeth
Imdad Hussain
William Shakespeare
Macbeth is a tragedy that explores themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of sin. The play follows Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman, and his wife Lady Macbeth as they navigate a complex web of prophecy, murder, and political intrigue. The witches' prophecy sets off a chain of events that leads to the downfall of Macbeth and the restoration of order in Scotland. The play is known for its dark and haunting atmosphere, its exploration of the human psyche, and its commentary on the nature of tragedy and the human condition[1][4].
Heroides
Ovid
Ovid's Heroides is a collection of fictional love letters written from the perspective of mythological heroines to their absent lovers. The poems explore themes of longing, betrayal, and unrequited love. The letters are characterized by intense emotion and vivid imagery. They offer a glimpse into the complexities of love and relationships in ancient mythology. The Heroides' enduring popularity reflects its timeless exploration of human emotions.
If
Rudyard Kipling
Written in 1896 and first published in 1910, 'If—' is a poem that advises on how to rise above adversity and live a life of integrity. The speaker, addressing his son, outlines various scenarios and virtues necessary to 'be a Man,' including the ability to keep one's head in chaos, trust oneself despite doubt, and treat triumph and disaster equally. The poem is structured as a series of conditional 'if' clauses leading to a final 'then' clause, emphasizing a quintessentially British brand of stoicism and the importance of maintaining a strong will and moral character.
Natalie Haynes and guests return for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London.
Natalie is a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome.
This time she's standing up in the name of Greek poet, Sappho, about whom we know so little, and most of what we think we know is made-up. But one thing is certain: her poetry is scorching, and unforgettable.
There will also be a lot of gossip from over a thousand years ago.
With special guests:
Novelist Stella Duffy
Classicist Professor Edith Hall
Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics 
