« Aphrodite

Callie Webb

Poem 1

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Sappho sets the tone of the hymn with asking Aphrodite to not tame her heart; Sappho wants to feel the emotions she has for Aphrodite, wants to act on them. It creates the question of how long could Sappho had feelings for Aphrodite? What would she want Aphrodite to do about said feelings? It seems Aphrodite sent her birds down to figure out what Sappho wants, and she wants to do the opposite of Aphrodite's wishes. Sappho wants to simply stand with Aphrodite and easy her heart that way, instead of Aphrodite calming it with grief.
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  1. Post by Maddison Glaser
    Hymn to Aphrodite
    I don't think this poem is about Sappho desiring Aphrodite. Rather, I think it's Sappho pleading to Aphrodite to help her in her unrequited love. She needs Aphrodite to help her because she's really in love with this person and her heart is already broken. She reminds Aphrodite of her past devotion to her and how Aphrodite has helped her before. Aphrodite comes to visit Sappho and appears to be exasperated at Sappho saying, "“Who must I persuade this time to return you to her love? Who, Sappho, is doing you wrong?" It seems from Aphrodite's tone that she's intervened to help Sappho many times before. Before she leaves, she promises that the Sappho's feelings of desire will be returned soon.  As she leaves, Sappho pleads for her to do something now, as she can't bear to wait any longer. 
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  2. Parent of this post↑ Reply to MGMaddison Glaser from Mary Gilbert
    Re: Hymn to Aphrodite
    yes!
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