Sappho and Catullus Stepping Out of Gender Roles
Date of Award
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Moore, John
Keywords
Catullus, Sappho, Gender
Area of Concentration
Classics
Abstract
In reading articles from many different authors, it also became clear that it is indeed true that every age creates Sappho in their own image. Each of these scholars labels her according to the standards set by the age they live in. But even with these precedents, today the scholarship on Sappho' s life still tends to focus on her sexuality. The idea that a woman can be attracted to the same sex is so appalling to many of these scholars that it has become an obsession for them to justify it by making her a school teacher or even a sensual consciousness raiser. But despite the blatant bisexuality in Catullus, the studies involving him do not focus on it instead they focus on his relationship with Lesbia. They question her identity and the nature of her relationship with Catullus. In a comparison of their poetry, it became apparent this view of Sappho and Catullus as being set in their genders was erroneous. In their poetry, both of the poets do not remain in their assigned gender roles. Sappho uses the existing poetic traditions from Homer to express her personal feelings, giving her poetry a distinct masculine taste but at the same time feminizing them into her own style. Catullus follows Sappho's tradition and becomes emotional in much of his poetry, something that was not considered proper for a Roman male. But he also alters her style into one of his own. He insinuates masculine moments into his own poems. Both the poets alter the gender of the speakers repeatedly in their poetry with the style and the language of the poetry. Because of this and their expression of personal expression, the poetry of Sappho and Catullus is considered very modern. But it is impossible to determine if any assumption made about them or their poetry is true. The lack of direct information makes any study of any history iffy. But what little can be determined from the poetry of Catullus and Sappho is that they were very modern thinkers who ventured beyond the scopes of their own worlds and into one that traditionally belonged to the other sex.
Recommended Citation
Tseng, Angela, "Sappho and Catullus Stepping Out of Gender Roles" (2005). Theses & ETDs. 3594.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3594
Rights
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