Reading Sappho: Contemporary Approaches

Classics and Contemporary Thought

by Ellen Greene

Essays that aim to draw attention to Sappho's importance as a poet and to offer a sense of the lively debate and competiting critical positions within Sappho studies. Contents Sappho's amatory language ( Giuliana Lanata ); Eros and Sappho and oral poetry ( Charles Segal ); Sappho and Helen ( Page duBois ); Sappho and social context ( Judith Hallett ); Sappho's fantasies of a goddess and young man ( Eva Stehle ); Apostrophe and women's erotics in the poetry of Sappho ( Ellen Greene ).

Genres: Poetry, History, Academic

303 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 1997

Reviews

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is an academic edition, I think that many of the texts/expressions/words written in greek should ALL be translated. Let's take into account that there is a necessity of bringing ancient authors into contemporaneity so that they are not forgotten and that means that the texts need to be translated even in an academic context. Needless to say that those translations need to be justified. Last, but not least, the diverse approaches and readings of Sapphos' fragments is an enriching factor to this collection of essays.

[chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

always hard to rate edited collections but i enjoyed most and only skipped a few (also fyi the ancient greek wasn’t always translated)

[Jack Granath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mutuality, narrativity, positionalities, intersubjectivity--all the best words are here. If you can stomach this smug, free-floating stuff enough to scratch down to the next level, you may encounter some interesting ideas. Most of the essays are feminist. Several of them address Sappho's audience and whether she sang her songs alone or made them for a chorus. Nothing that will change your life, probably, but sometimes interesting.

[Keithwashaya]

good

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to read only one book about Sappho, read this one. The essays cover an extensive spectrum of issues while being quite short & to the point.

[hmmm]

classicists are weird