Analysis of Sappho's Poem 94 Essay Example

Sappho is one of the renowned Greek poets of the ancient society. Her works are the only surviving ones done by a Greek female. During her time, she wrote many poems that are commonly referred to as fragments. These poems dealt on various themes. However, it seems that Sappho was much interested in feminism and, therefore, most of her poems are inclined to feminist ideas. The ancient Greek society was highly patriarchal and, therefore, it seems that Sappho often found solace and a place to express herself in poetry. One of Sappho's major works of art is the fragment named Poem 94. This is just one out of her many works. The poem has two seemingly female speakers who are about to depart from each other. The first speaker begins by saying that she simply wants to be dead because she has to leave against her will (Line 5). However, the second speaker advises her not to worry but to rejoice and remember her, and how they cherished her as she goes (Line 8). She also reminds her of all the good times they have had, probably, as a way of reminding her that her departure does not mean the end of the world for them. In this poem, Sappho uses a conversational structure and a language that is richly figurative to communicate the main message.

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The structure of the poem is conversational. There are two speakers taking turns to air their views. The poet has deliberately made it so. Considering the emotions associated with the departure of a person one has already gotten used to, a natural conversation seems to be the best mode of communicating what the speakers feel. One of them says that she just wants to die. She cannot imagine leaving especially when she remembers what she and her companion have had to go through. While weeping, she even says that this is a bad turn of things and that it is against her will she leaves (line 4-5). On the other hand, the other speaker, who can be considered to be Sappho herself, comforts her by telling her to rejoice and never forget her. She further reminds her of how they cherished her, and all the beautiful times they have had (line 11). This conversation brings out the natural bond that must have been created between the two characters over time. It seems difficult for the two women to part yet they have no choice. The young woman has to leave Sappho despite the tears and emotions involved. The conversational structure is, therefore, a very effective technique that gives the poem a natural touch thus making the reader clearly understand what is going on. It also creates an aura of nostalgia that emphasizes the emotional departure.

Additionally, the poet's use of figurative language cannot be overlooked. Figurative language in literary texts often includes aspects such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and idiom among others. Sappho uses such figures of speech in an effort to communicate the main ideas in the poem. One figure of speech that the poet makes use of is hyperbole. There is some exaggeration used in the poem. As it opens, the poem begins with the line 'I simply want to be dead.' The persona is about to part with her companion after having had a strong bond. Though the line seems to be in the middle of a plot, it communicates a very strong message. The exaggeration in itself shows the deep sadness with which the persona takes the idea that she is about to be separated from a person she has strongly bonded with already. It is important to note that the persona does not simply 'wish' but 'wants' to be dead. Nobody would want to die simply because they are leaving someone or being left. New friends can always be made. Implying that one wants to be dead is more of an exaggeration than reality. However, in this poem, the persona's use of this hyperbole reveals that she feels forlorn and dejected at the thought of parting ways with her companion. It signals to the reader that right from the word go, there is a deep sadness that has been occasioned by a separation between two people who have had a very close relationship.

Sappho also uses metaphors. There are two women in the poem who seem to be in love, but time has come for them to part. It is such an emotional departure. They must have had a very strong bond in this relationship. The persona uses the image of flowers to create a vivid picture of this relationship in the mind of the reader. The speaker reminds the other one of the 'many crowns of violets / and roses/ .../ and many woven garlands/ made of flowers. These lines clearly bring out the value of flowers in the poem. The flowers are used to bring out a deep meaning. they are highly metaphorical. In the real sense, a flower is a beautiful plant. Therefore, the poet uses it to stress on the beauty of the time that the persona has had with her companion. It further emphasizes the youthfulness of the personas. The addition of the phrase 'your soft throat' caps it all. The metaphorical use of the flower evokes aspects of youthful cheerfulness. It also brings out the comparison between the suppleness of women and the softness of flowers. Young women, in particular, are considered beautiful and soft, just like the petals of flowers. Therefore, the metaphor is relevant in communicating the message of youthfulness and beauty of women in the poem. This, coupled with youthful cheer seem to be what makes it difficult for the two personas to part.

Also, the figurative language used by Sappho in this poem reveals some of the types of relationships that existed among the Greeks. The persona reminds her companion of the beautiful times they had by telling her 'you anointed yourself/ and on a soft bed/ delicate/ you would let loose your longing.' These lines imply that the companion declared herself the persona's partner by anointing herself as so and then lying on the bed to fulfill her desires. The metaphorical implication seems to reveal a certain sexual relationship between the two personas. Considering that the personas are female, it brings out the aspect of lesbianism. However, it may not necessarily be so. The woman may have been in a training camp after which she is to depart as she is now ready for marriage. Nevertheless, the ancient Greek society was highly patriarchal, and little is known about its attitude towards same-gender sexual relationships such as lesbianism. Therefore, this poem may have presented an opportunity for Sappho to express her views on the subject.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that Sappho has used both an appropriate structure and figurative language to communicate her message. While the structure used is chiefly conversational, the figures of speech include hyperbole and metaphors. The conversational structure effectively captures the emotions of the personas as they depart from each other. The hyperbole reveals how saddened the two characters are at the thought of separation while the metaphors bring out the good times the personas have had together and the youthful cheer they have often shared. By using these techniques, Sappho clearly communicates her message in the poem.

Part 2 - Poem Composition

In this poem, there are two personas: a man and his estranged wife. The wife begins by saying she has no time for the man but the man tries to convince her to come back to his house. There is hyperbole where the man says the world knew how the woman changed this man's house into a factory, through the noise she made. The poet also uses metaphors by referring to the snail and the bee. It is a way of convincing the wife that what they had was only a minor misunderstanding thus they have an opportunity to solve the issue. He pleads with her to come back home.