Sappho Quotes

Question 1

Loeb 1 quote (Be my ally)

Answer 1

“Come to me again now, [Aphrodite] … Be my ally.”
(Kletic hymn, invoking a god relevant to the subject of the poem. Used several times by Sappho)

Question 2

Loeb 2 quote (The cold water sings)

Answer 2

”..the cold water sings through the branches of the apple trees, the whole place is covered with the shadows of roses..”
(Apples and roses symbolic of female sexuality)

Question 3

Loeb 15 quote (Doricha)

Answer 3

”..may Doricha not boast … about the second time he returned to his long-lost love.”
(Notable because ‘he’ is likely her brother, and Doricha is a prostitute he was in a relationship with. A rare insight into specific events in her life)

Question 4

Loeb 16 quote (The most beautiful sight)

Answer 4

“The most beautiful sight in the whole world … I think it is the one you love.”

Question 5

Loeb 17 quote (Come, Queen Hera)

Answer 5

“Come, Queen Hera … And help me as you helped in the past.”
(Kletic hymn)

Question 6

Loeb 24a quote (When we were young)

Answer 6

“You will remember what we did when we were young, many, beautiful things..”
(Youth = beauty. Possibly addressed to a member of her Thiasos)

Question 7

Loeb 31 quote (A delicate fire)

Answer 7

“When I see you … A delicate fire runs beneath my skin, I see nothing with my eyes but there is a buzzing in my ears..”

Question 8

Loeb 34 quote (The beautiful moon)

Answer 8

“Around the beautiful moon, the stars hide away their gleaming brilliance..”
(Moon is the goddess Selene. Celebration of femininity)

Question 9

Loeb 47 quote (Love shook my soul)

Answer 9

“Love shook my soul, like a wind buffeting oak trees on a mountain.”

Question 10

Loeb 49 quote (I used to love you)

Answer 10

“I used to love you, Atthis … I thought you were like a clumsy little girl.”
(Again youth is beautiful/the object of love. After youth there is no love)

Question 11

Loeb 50 quote (A handsome man)

Answer 11

“A handsome man is only good to look at, a good man will become handsome.”

Question 12

Loeb 94 quote (I want to die)

Answer 12

“Honestly, I want to die. Weeping, she was leaving me..”

Question 13

Loeb 94 quote (Wreaths, Intricate garlands)

Answer 13

“Remember all the wreaths you placed around your head, violets, roses … and the intricate garlands … you placed around your lovely neck..”
(Floral references, female sexuality. Poem moves from head, to neck, to perfume (body), then bed)

Question 14

Loeb 102 quote (Smitten by a boy)

Answer 14

“I cannot weave my web, I am smitten by a boy because of slender Aphrodite.”

Question 15

Loeb 105a quote (The sweet apple)

Answer 15

“Just like the sweet apple reddening at the highest height … No, they did not completely miss you! They just couldn’t reach.”
(Female subject, people/men are undeserving of her?)

Question 16

Loeb 105c quote (The hyacinth)

Answer 16

“Just like the hyacinth on a mountain, trodden by the feet of the shepherds..”
(Same girl as the sweet apple? Destroyed by men, or specifically her virginity, as symbolised by the hyacinth)

Question 17

Loeb 111 quote (Raise the roof)

Answer 17

“Raise the roof, Hymenaeus! … The bridegroom is coming, like Ares, bigger by far than the biggest man.”

Question 18

Loeb 112 quote (Lucky bridegroom)

Answer 18

“Lucky bridegroom … you have the girl of your dreams … Aphrodite has honoured you above all others.”

Question 19

Loeb 114 quote (Virginity)

Answer 19

“Virginity, virginity, where have you gone? … I will come to you no more..”
(Sex with women was likely not considered a loss of virginity. Sex with men and a loss of virginity is being lamented)

Question 20

Loeb 121 quote (A younger woman)

Answer 20

“If you care about me, find the bed of a younger woman, for I never want to be the older one in a relationship.”
(Youth is desired again)

Question 21

Loeb 130 quote (Bitter-sweet, invincible creature)

Answer 21

“Love which loosens the limbs once again shakes me! Bitter-sweet, invincible creature that he is.”

Question 22

Loeb 132 quote (I have a beautiful daughter)

Answer 22

“I have a beautiful daughter … and I love her more than all of Lydia..”
(Familial love, another rare insight into her personal life)

Question 23

Loeb 160 quote (My companions)

Answer 23

“Now, for my companions, I will sing these songs beautifully.”
(Her Thiasos?)