'It was you, Atthis, who said' by Sappho
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It was you, Atthis, who said
"Sappho, if you will not get
up and let us look at you
I shall never love you again!
"Get up, unleash your suppleness,
lift off your Chian nightdress
and, like a lily leaning into
"a spring, bathe in the water.
Cleis is bringing your best
pruple frock and the yellow
"tunic down from the clothes chest;
you will have a cloak thrown over
you and flowers crowning your hair...
"Praxinoa, my child, will you please
roast nuts for our breakfast? One
of the gods is being good to us:
"today we are going at last
into Mitylene, our favorite
city, with Sappho, loveliest
"of its women; she will walk
among us like a mother with
all her daughters around her
"when she comes home from exile..."
But you forget everything
Editor 1 Interpretation
"It was you, Atthis, who said" by Sappho: A Poetic Tribute to Love and Longing
Sappho, the famous Greek poetess of the 7th century BCE, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature and poetry. Her works, renowned for their lyrical beauty and emotional intensity, continue to captivate readers and scholars alike. One such poem, "It was you, Atthis, who said", stands out for its poignant portrayal of love and longing. In this critical analysis, I will delve deeper into the themes, imagery, and structure of this classic work and interpret its meaning for contemporary readers.
The Themes of Love and Longing
At the heart of "It was you, Atthis, who said" lies the theme of love and longing. Sappho, in this poem, addresses Atthis, a woman she is deeply in love with. The speaker reminisces about their past encounters and the feelings they had shared. She recalls Atthis' words of affection and the moments they had spent together. However, she is now separated from her beloved and feels a deep sense of loss and yearning.
The poem is a poignant expression of the pain of separation and the desire to be reunited with the object of one's affection. The speaker's longing for Atthis is palpable in every line, as she describes the moments they had shared and the feelings they had experienced together. Sappho portrays love as a complex and intense emotion that can both uplift and torment the soul. The poem is a tribute to the power of love and the enduring nature of human desire.
Imagery and Symbolism
The poem employs a variety of vivid imagery and symbolism to convey its themes. Sappho describes the beauty of nature, using images of flowers, birds, and rivers to evoke a sense of peacefulness and calm. These images serve as a backdrop to the speaker's longing for her beloved, underscoring the contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the pain of human desire.
The poem is also rich in symbolism, particularly in its use of the moon and stars. The speaker compares her love for Atthis to the light of the moon, which can be seen even in the darkest of nights. This metaphor suggests that love can endure even in the face of adversity and hardship. Similarly, the stars are a symbol of constancy and steadfastness, representing the unchanging nature of the speaker's feelings for Atthis.
Structure and Form
The structure and form of the poem are integral to its meaning and impact. Sappho employs a simple, yet evocative, structure that consists of three stanzas. Each stanza contains four lines, and the poem as a whole is therefore only twelve lines long. This brevity serves to heighten the intensity of the speaker's emotions, as every word and phrase carries immense weight and significance.
The poem is also notable for its use of repetition and parallelism. The opening line, "It was you, Atthis, who said", is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, emphasizing the centrality of Atthis to the speaker's emotions. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, underscoring the poem's status as a work of lyric poetry.
Interpretation and Relevance
"It was you, Atthis, who said" is a poem that remains relevant and resonant to contemporary readers. Its themes of love and longing are universal, and its evocative imagery and symbolism continue to captivate readers today. The poem is a reminder of the enduring power of human desire, and the pain and joy that come with loving another person deeply.
The poem also speaks to the challenges of same-sex love, a topic that remains pertinent to contemporary society. Sappho, who was known for her passionate love for women, portrays the complexities of same-sex desire with sensitivity and nuance. The poem is a testament to the enduring nature of human love, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
In conclusion, "It was you, Atthis, who said" is a classic work of poetry that continues to captivate readers and scholars today. Sappho's evocative imagery, rich symbolism, and simple yet powerful structure combine to create a work of profound emotional impact. The poem is a tribute to the enduring power of love, and a reminder of the complexities and challenges that come with loving another person deeply.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and feelings that are difficult to put into words. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "It was you, Atthis, who said" by Sappho. This classic poem is a beautiful expression of love and longing that has captivated readers for centuries.
Sappho was a Greek poet who lived on the island of Lesbos in the 7th century BC. She is considered one of the greatest poets of all time and is known for her lyrical poetry that often dealt with themes of love and desire. "It was you, Atthis, who said" is one of her most famous poems and is a testament to her skill as a poet.
The poem is addressed to Atthis, a woman who was likely Sappho's lover. It begins with the line "It was you, Atthis, who said" which immediately draws the reader in and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe how Atthis once said that she longed to see the speaker again.
The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the emotions of the speaker to life. For example, the speaker describes how Atthis's words "stirred up desire" in her heart and how she longed to see her "more than anything." These lines are powerful and convey the depth of the speaker's feelings in a way that is both beautiful and poignant.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more consumed by her desire for Atthis. She describes how she cannot sleep or eat because she is so consumed by her longing for her lover. The lines "I cannot eat, I cannot sleep; my heart is full of longing" are particularly powerful and convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions.
Despite the intensity of the speaker's feelings, the poem is also filled with a sense of sadness and longing. The speaker knows that she cannot be with Atthis and that their love is doomed to be unrequited. This sense of longing and sadness is captured perfectly in the lines "I long for you, Atthis, more than anything; but I know that we can never be together."
Overall, "It was you, Atthis, who said" is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of love and longing. Sappho's skill as a poet is evident in every line, and the poem has stood the test of time as a testament to her talent. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful writing, this poem is sure to touch your heart and leave you feeling moved and inspired.
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