I really enjoyed the animal epigrams of Anyte of Tegea. I feel like the human-animal relationship is a timeless classic that will never grow old. That might be because I myself love animals so much, but I think people around the world today can still relate to the feelings brought about by these epigrams. People love their pets. I feel like if people were to write eulogies for their pets they would be similar to these despite the many many years between Anyte's time and ours. People would talk highly of their pets in happy remembrance. I already talk to my animals and about my animals like they are my best friends, so imagining a funeral and eulogy for my pets seems like something I would definitely do. I remember having a funeral for my pet hamster when I was little (at the time I didn't know about eulogies or else I'm sure I would've had one for Nick the Hamster ). I also loved the one about the cricket and the cicada. It shows how humans really know no bounds when it comes to attaching ourselves and feelings to other living creatures. There's a real sense of empathy present. I work with children and could very easily see one of them having funerals for their little bugs.
As for Sappho, While You Can Sing and Out of Reach stood out to me. While You Can Sing makes me think of how women have always felt pressure to look beautiful and nice as it has been attached to the societal value of women for so long. This makes aging especially hard for women. Women seem to lose rank as they age or no longer fit societal beauty standards. Sappho here discusses withering skin and her white hair. She is longing for her past when she was a "tender bud." This feels very relatable now. Yes, many people as they age wish they were like their younger selves, but for women, there is an extra layer of loss that goes along with aging. The mental impact of being told your value is attached to your beauty and "losing" that beauty can lead to an identity crisis in women. Out of Reach (once again-to me) also seems to have some sort of commentary on beauty. Originally she writes that the apple is unnoticed by the apple-pickers but then goes on to say that they just weren't able to see it. This seems like her commenting on internal beauty or non-traditional beauty. I then read Ella Haselswerdt's article, and I think there is an added layer in interest regarding Sappho's appearance. I am also doubtful to listen to male accounts of a woman's appearance.