sappho key fragments

Question 1

loeb 1- Prayer to Aphrodite

Answer 1

Come to me now, release me from my cares, fulfil all that my heart desires.

Sappho calls on Aphrodite to help her in love — shows intense longing.

Question 2

loeb 16 -What one loves most

Answer 2

Some say an army of horsemen… but I say it is whatever one loves.

Argues personal desire is more powerful than war — includes Helen of Troy.

Question 3

loeb 31- Jealousy and physical desire

Answer 3

He seems to me equal to the gods… I see you and my voice fails me.

Sappho is overwhelmed by desire watching a woman with a man.

Question 4

loeb 47- Love as overwhelming

Answer 4

Eros shook my soul, like wind on the mountain falling on oaks.

Passion compared to nature — uncontrollable and wild.

Question 5

loeb 130- The power of love

Answer 5

Love again has loosened my limbs and shakes me — bitter-sweet, irresistible creature.

Love is personified as something overwhelming and paradoxical.

Question 6

loeb 44- Wedding of Hector and Andromache

Answer 6

Andromache came from Thebe… she looked like a goddess.

Epic-style wedding scene — idealised view of marriage.

Question 7

loeb 110 -Wedding song

Answer 7

Raise high the roof-beam, carpenters!

Joyful tone; reflects female performance at weddings.

Question 8

loeb 112-The bride’s beauty

Answer 8

The bride is fairer than a garden of roses.

Traditional poetic flattery of the bride’s beauty.

Question 9

loeb 30- Wedding celebration

Answer 9

Lift the wedding torches!

Part of a communal celebration — joyful and ritualistic.

Question 10

loeb 27-On a maiden’s wedding

Answer 10

I shall sing this finely to delight my companions…

Reflects female voice in ritual poetry.

Question 11

loeb 94-Goodbye to a lover

Answer 11

I want to die with you, but I remember all the times we lay together…

Sensual farewell between women; intimate emotional memory.

Question 12

loeb 96- Female beauty praised

Answer 12

She was like the rosy-fingered moon when she appears…

Elevated description of female beauty — goddess-like.

Question 13

loeb 49- Atthis remembered

Answer 13

I loved you, Atthis, long ago.

Short but personal expression of love to another woman.

Question 14

loeb 137-Desire and shame

Answer 14

…for I love you…

Fragment suggests inner conflict or societal shame.

Question 15

loeb 34-Artemis and purity

Answer 15

I yearn and I seek after delicate-footed Artemis.

Suggests tension between love and chastity.

Question 16

loeb 58-Ageing and beauty fades

Answer 16

But now my limbs are heavy, old age has seized me…

Reflects female ageing, loss of youth, and societal ideals of beauty.

Question 17

loeb 114-Shame and desire

Answer 17

For shame, I have loved…

Fragment hints at shame around female same-sex love.