'Cleis' by Sappho


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Sleep, darling
I have a small
daughter called
Cleis, who is

like a golden
flower
I wouldn't
take all Croesus'
kingdom with love
thrown in, for her

---

Don't ask me what to wear
I have no embroidered
headband from Sardis to
give you, Cleis, such as
I wore
and my mother
always said that in her
day a purple ribbon
looped in the hair was thought
to be high style indeed

but we were dark:
a girl
whose hair is yellower than
torchlight should wear no
headdress but fresh flowers


Sappho
tr. Barnard

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sappho's Cleis: A Masterpiece of Ancient Greek Poetry

Sappho, the ancient Greek poetess, is one of the most iconic and celebrated figures in the history of literature. Her poems, which were written in the 7th century BC, have captivated generations of readers with their beauty, passion, and emotional depth. Among her most famous works is the poem Cleis, which has been the subject of much literary criticism and interpretation over the years.

In this essay, I will provide a detailed analysis of Cleis, exploring its themes, imagery, and literary techniques. Through this examination, I hope to shed light on the lasting significance of Sappho's poetry and the impact it has had on the literary traditions that followed.

The Poem Itself

Before we dive into the analysis of Cleis, let's take a look at the poem itself:

Cleis, whom I love more than life itself,
More than these eyes that see the world,
More than this tongue that speaks its joys,
More than this heart that beats with passion.

She is my sun, my moon, my stars,
My everything in this world and beyond.
Without her, I am lost in a sea of darkness,
But with her, I am lifted to the heights of heaven.

Oh Cleis, my love, my life, my all,
Let me be with you always,
In this life and the next,
Until the end of time itself.

At first glance, Cleis appears to be a simple love poem, expressing the depth of the poet's feelings for her beloved. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to uncover a wealth of meaning and symbolism that reveals the true genius of Sappho's writing.

Themes and Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of Cleis is the way in which it uses imagery to evoke the intense emotions of the poet. Throughout the poem, Sappho uses a range of metaphors and similes to describe her love for Cleis, painting a vivid picture of the depth and complexity of her feelings.

For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Sappho compares her love for Cleis to her eyes and tongue, suggesting that it is an integral part of her very being. This image is reinforced later in the poem when she describes Cleis as her "everything in this world and beyond," emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of their relationship.

Another powerful image in the poem is the use of celestial bodies to represent the intensity of the poet's love. Sappho describes Cleis as her "sun, moon, and stars," suggesting that her beloved is the center of her universe and the source of her light and warmth. This image is particularly powerful because it suggests that the poet's love is not only intense, but also life-sustaining, just as the sun is the source of all life on earth.

The sea is another prominent image in the poem, representing the darkness and despair that the poet experiences when she is separated from Cleis. Sappho describes herself as "lost in a sea of darkness" without her beloved, highlighting the profound sense of loneliness and isolation that she feels. This image is particularly effective because it conveys a sense of the vastness and emptiness of the poet's world without Cleis.

Literary Techniques

Sappho's use of literary techniques in Cleis is another aspect of the poem that sets it apart as a masterpiece of ancient Greek poetry. One of the most notable techniques she employs is repetition, which is used throughout the poem to emphasize the intensity of the poet's emotions.

For example, the phrase "more than" is repeated four times in the opening lines of the poem, emphasizing the extent to which Cleis is the center of the poet's world. This repetition is also used later in the poem when Sappho describes Cleis as her "love, life, and all," highlighting the all-encompassing nature of their relationship.

Another important literary technique used in Cleis is the use of metaphor and simile to create vivid images that convey the depth and complexity of the poet's emotions. For example, the comparison of Cleis to celestial bodies creates a powerful image of the intensity and life-sustaining nature of the poet's love. Similarly, the use of the sea as an image for the darkness and despair of separation creates a vivid picture of the emotional landscape that the poet inhabits.

Interpretation

Interpreting Cleis requires an understanding of the cultural and social context in which it was written. Ancient Greece was a patriarchal society, in which women had limited rights and opportunities. As a female poet, Sappho was a rarity, and her work was often dismissed or overlooked by male scholars.

Despite these challenges, Sappho's poetry has endured, thanks in part to its emotional depth, vivid imagery, and powerful use of language. Cleis, in particular, has become a symbol of the enduring power of love and the ability of poetry to transcend time and place.

At its core, Cleis is a poem about the intensity and complexity of human emotion. It captures the depth of feeling that we can experience for another person, and the profound sense of loss and longing that we feel when we are separated from them. Through its use of imagery and literary technique, the poem creates a vivid picture of the emotional landscape of the poet's world, and the depth of her connection to her beloved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cleis is a masterpiece of ancient Greek poetry that continues to capture the imaginations of readers today. Through its vivid imagery, powerful use of language, and intense emotional themes, the poem expresses the enduring power of love and the ability of poetry to transcend time and place.

Despite the challenges that Sappho faced as a female poet in ancient Greece, her work has endured, and continues to inspire readers around the world. Cleis is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and to the timeless appeal of the human emotions that it captures.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sappho's Poetry Cleis: A Masterpiece of Ancient Greek Literature

Sappho, the renowned poetess of ancient Greece, has left behind a legacy of lyrical poetry that has captivated readers for centuries. Among her many works, the Poetry Cleis stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression, showcasing Sappho's skill in crafting verses that evoke powerful emotions and vivid imagery. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of the Poetry Cleis, and explore why it continues to resonate with readers today.

The Poetry Cleis, also known as the Ode to Aphrodite, is a poem that centers around the Greek goddess of love and beauty. The poem begins with a plea to Aphrodite to come to the speaker's aid, as she is suffering from unrequited love. The speaker then recounts the story of a past love affair, in which she was rejected by her beloved. She laments her current state of heartbreak and begs Aphrodite to help her win back her lover's affections.

One of the most striking aspects of the Poetry Cleis is its emotional intensity. Sappho's use of language is incredibly evocative, and she conveys the speaker's pain and longing with great power. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, the speaker implores Aphrodite to "come to me now, once again release me / from harsh anxiety." The use of the word "harsh" emphasizes the speaker's intense suffering, while the repetition of "me" and "release me" underscores her desperation.

Throughout the poem, Sappho employs vivid imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. For instance, she describes the speaker's heart as "fluttering" and "trembling," conveying the physical sensations of love and desire. She also uses natural imagery, such as the "rosy-fingered moon" and the "golden-throned immortal" Aphrodite, to create a sense of beauty and wonder.

Another notable aspect of the Poetry Cleis is its structure. The poem is composed of three stanzas, each with a distinct meter and rhyme scheme. The first stanza is written in the Sapphic meter, a complex form that consists of three long lines followed by a shorter line. The second stanza is written in the Adonic meter, which features a long line followed by a shorter line. The final stanza is written in the Ionic meter, which has a more regular structure with alternating long and short lines.

Sappho's use of different meters creates a sense of musicality and rhythm in the poem. Each stanza has its own unique cadence, which contributes to the overall emotional impact of the poem. The use of rhyme also adds to the musicality of the poem, with words such as "heart" and "depart" echoing throughout the stanzas.

The themes of the Poetry Cleis are timeless and universal. The poem explores the pain of unrequited love, the power of desire, and the role of the divine in human affairs. Sappho's depiction of Aphrodite as a powerful and capricious goddess reflects the ancient Greek belief in the influence of the gods on human life. At the same time, the poem also speaks to the universal experience of love and heartbreak, which transcends time and culture.

In conclusion, Sappho's Poetry Cleis is a masterpiece of ancient Greek literature that continues to captivate readers today. Through its emotional intensity, vivid imagery, and musical structure, the poem conveys the timeless themes of love, desire, and the divine. Sappho's skill as a poet is evident in every line, and her legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time is secure.

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