The Tenth Muse: Sappho's Poetry and Influence
Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Shaw, Carl
Keywords
Sappho, Lyric Poetry, Catullus
Area of Concentration
Classics
Abstract
This thesis explores the poetry of Sappho of Lesbos and her influence on the later Roman poet Catullus. The introduction contains information that is known or speculated about Sappho's life. The first chapter contains translations of a selection of Sappho's poems. The Greek texts of the poems are included for reference purposes. The second chapter contains analysis of her work. The third chapter contains analysis of Catullus's work in comparison to Sappho. The appendix contains a pronunciation guide for ancient Greek. Research for this thesis includes ancient sources such as the Suda as well as modern scholarship on Sappho found in scholarly journals and publications. The findings are that Sappho and Catullus both were able to write in a fluid gender, switching back and forth between gender roles in their poetry. Sappho, as a woman, was able to fit into a male-dominated genre. Catullus, as a man, was able to place himself in a feminized role in certain of his poems, predominantly poem 51.
Recommended Citation
Rainwater, Kali, "The Tenth Muse: Sappho's Poetry and Influence" (2009). Theses & ETDs. 4163.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4163