CLA219H1 Lecture Notes - Stesichorus, Sapphic Stanza, Erotic Literature
Document Summary
Very little is known about sappho, yet she is well known. Not known exact dates, most likely 6th/7th bce. Only authors who have quoted her (she has been reconstructed through this) Scholars > have constructed based on what we have found of her writtings. A lesbian > in the literal sense. Born in lesbos (also spelt lesvos); had close relations with island. Mitilani: this is where we get the word lesbian from (homosexual) Lesbian (late 19th century creation), before called sapphic. Before that called tribate from tribas from tribane meaning to rub. Lesbiazein > to give philacio: throughout antiquity > lesbos was known as a place where something weird was going on (according to the males, so she is a lesbian > expresses homosexuality in her writings. Represents that they are dominating and don"t need males. There is often a literary connection between philaenis and saphho (even though different centuries) A greek courtesan of the 4th or 3rd centuries bc.
