'Yes , Atthis, you may be sure' by Sappho
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Yes, Atthis, you may be sure
Even in Sardis
Anactoria will think often of us
of the life we shared here, when you seemed
the Goddess incarnate
to her and your singing pleased her best
Now among Lydian women she in her
turn stands first as the red-
fingered moon rising at sunset takes
precedence over stars around her;
her light spreads equally
on the salt sea and fields thick with bloom
Delicious dew purs down to freshen
roses, delicate thyme
and blossoming sweet clover; she wanders
aimlessly, thinking of gentle
Atthis, her heart hanging
heavy with longing in her little breast
She shouts aloud, Come! we know it;
thousand-eared night repeats that cry
across the sea shining between us
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Yes, Atthis, you may be sure": A Deep Dive into Sappho's Poem
If you're a fan of poetry, chances are you've heard of Sappho. She was one of the greatest ancient Greek poets, and her work continues to inspire and move readers today. One of her most famous poems is "Yes, Atthis, you may be sure", a short but powerful piece that speaks to the complexities of love and desire. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
Overview
First, let's take a look at the poem itself. Here's the full text:
Yes, Atthis, you may be sure that desire has seized me wholly, having shaken my heart in my breast, as the wind on the mountain shatters the oak tree.
On first glance, this poem seems simple enough. The speaker, addressing a woman named Atthis, declares that desire has taken hold of her completely. She compares this feeling to the wind on a mountain shattering an oak tree. But as we dive deeper into the poem, we'll discover that there's much more going on here than meets the eye.
Themes
One of the main themes of this poem is desire. The speaker is very clear about the fact that she is consumed by it, and the language she uses to describe it is intense and vivid. The comparison to the wind shattering an oak tree is particularly striking, as it suggests a kind of violence or forcefulness that is not often associated with desire in modern English. This theme of desire is closely tied to another theme: the complexity of love.
As we examine the poem more closely, we start to see that the speaker is not just talking about physical desire. There's a sense of emotional intensity here that goes beyond mere attraction. The fact that she's addressing Atthis specifically suggests that there's a personal connection between the two women. And the use of the word "wholly" suggests that this desire is all-encompassing and all-consuming. This is not a passing fancy, but something that has taken root deep within the speaker's heart.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the power of nature. The comparison to the wind and the oak tree is not accidental. Sappho often used images from nature in her poetry, and here she's drawing on the idea of a force that is both powerful and unpredictable. This is not a gentle breeze that rustles the leaves; this is a wind that shatters a mighty oak. The speaker's desire is similarly uncontrollable and overwhelming, like a force of nature that cannot be tamed.
Imagery
The imagery in this poem is both vivid and metaphorical. The comparison to the wind and the oak tree is the most obvious example, but there are other images in the poem that are worth exploring as well. For example, the phrase "shaken my heart in my breast" suggests a physical sensation, as if the speaker's heart is actually trembling or quivering. This creates a sense of vulnerability and openness that is central to the theme of desire.
Another image that stands out is the idea of being "seized". This is a very strong word, and it suggests a kind of forceful taking that is not necessarily consensual. The fact that the speaker describes herself as being "seized wholly" suggests that she is not in control of her desire, but rather that it has taken control of her. This is a powerful image that speaks to the intensity and unpredictability of love and desire.
Language
The language in this poem is both simple and complex. The syntax is straightforward, and the words themselves are not particularly difficult. But the way those words are arranged creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that is characteristic of Sappho's poetry. The repeated "s" sounds in "seized me wholly" and "shaken my heart" create a sense of motion and movement that echoes the wind image in the first stanza.
One interesting aspect of the language in this poem is the use of the second person. By addressing Atthis directly, the speaker creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection. We don't know who Atthis is, but it's clear that she is important to the speaker in some way. This use of the second person also creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, as if the speaker is speaking directly to us.
Interpretation
So what does all of this mean? What is Sappho trying to say with this poem? As with any work of art, there's no one correct interpretation, but there are some possible ways to read this poem.
One possible interpretation is that the poem is a celebration of same-sex desire. Sappho was known for writing about love between women, and this poem could be seen as a powerful expression of that love. The fact that the speaker is addressing another woman directly suggests a sense of intimacy and connection that is not often found in traditional love poetry.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the power of desire. The wind and the oak tree image suggests that desire is a force of nature that cannot be tamed or controlled. The fact that the speaker describes herself as being "seized" suggests that desire is something that happens to us, rather than something we choose. This interpretation suggests a kind of fatalism or inevitability that is central to the human experience.
Finally, it's worth noting that this poem is just one piece of a larger body of work. Sappho wrote many poems about love and desire, and this one should be read in the context of her other work. Taken as a whole, her poetry offers a complex and nuanced exploration of these themes, and "Yes, Atthis, you may be sure" is just one small piece of that larger puzzle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Yes, Atthis, you may be sure" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the complexity of love and desire. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and direct address to another woman, Sappho creates a sense of intimacy and urgency that draws the reader in. Whether we read this poem as a celebration of same-sex desire, a meditation on the power of desire, or something else entirely, there's no denying the power and beauty of Sappho's words.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Yes, Atthis, you may be sure that Sappho's poetry is a classic that has stood the test of time. Her words have been passed down through the ages, and they still resonate with readers today. In this analysis, we will explore the poem "Yes, Atthis, you may be sure" and delve into the themes and emotions that Sappho conveys.
Firstly, it is important to understand the context in which Sappho wrote her poetry. She was a Greek poet who lived on the island of Lesbos in the 7th century BC. Her poetry was primarily focused on love and relationships, and she was known for her use of vivid imagery and emotional depth. Sappho's poetry was highly regarded in her time, and she was often referred to as the "tenth muse."
The poem "Yes, Atthis, you may be sure" is a prime example of Sappho's poetic style. The poem is addressed to Atthis, who is believed to have been Sappho's lover. The poem begins with the words "Yes, Atthis, you may be sure," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Sappho is assuring Atthis that her love is true and that she can trust her completely.
The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery that conveys the depth of Sappho's emotions. She describes how her heart is "fluttering" and how her "tongue has gone dry." These physical sensations are a testament to the intensity of her love for Atthis. Sappho also uses the metaphor of a "swirling whirlpool" to describe how she feels. This metaphor is particularly effective because it conveys the sense of being caught up in something powerful and overwhelming.
In the second stanza, Sappho continues to describe her emotions. She says that her "ears are ringing" and that she is "drenched in sweat." These physical symptoms are a testament to the intensity of her love. Sappho also uses the metaphor of a "wild beast" to describe how she feels. This metaphor is effective because it conveys the sense of being consumed by something uncontrollable.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. Sappho says that she would rather "see the light of the sun go out" than lose Atthis. This line is a testament to the depth of her love and the fear of losing it. Sappho also uses the metaphor of a "sweet-apple" to describe Atthis. This metaphor is effective because it conveys the sense of something precious and desirable.
The final stanza of the poem is a declaration of Sappho's love for Atthis. She says that she loves her "more than anything" and that she will always be there for her. This final stanza is a testament to the strength of Sappho's love and her commitment to Atthis.
In conclusion, "Yes, Atthis, you may be sure" is a powerful and emotional poem that conveys the depth of Sappho's love for Atthis. The vivid imagery and metaphors that Sappho uses are particularly effective in conveying the intensity of her emotions. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human experience of being consumed by it. Sappho's poetry continues to resonate with readers today, and this poem is a prime example of why she is considered one of the greatest poets of all time.
Editor Recommended Sites
Cloud Self Checkout: Self service for cloud application, data science self checkout, machine learning resource checkout for dev and ml teamsCoin Payments App - Best Crypto Payment Merchants & Best Storefront Crypto APIs: Interface with crypto merchants to accept crypto on your sites
Ocaml App: Applications made in Ocaml, directory
Open Models: Open source models for large language model fine tuning, and machine learning classification
Prompt Composing: AutoGPT style composition of LLMs for attention focus on different parts of the problem, auto suggest and continue
Recommended Similar Analysis
Four Beasts In One- The Homo-Cameleopard by Edgar Allen Poe analysisInfant Sorrow by William Blake analysis
Love Letter by Sylvia Plath analysis
Sestina by Elizabeth Bishop analysis
DREAMS by Robert Herrick analysis
Holy Sonnet XIV by John Donne analysis
On Old Man's Thought Of School by Walt Whitman analysis
Written In March by William Wordsworth analysis
In Memory of Rupert Brooke by Joyce Kilmer analysis
"I Thought of You" by Sarah Teasdale analysis