Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics Sappho
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Feb 18, 2020 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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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.
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.
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.
