Aphrodite Sappho Analysis

A common theme within any culture is a standard belief system. In this system, usually, the incomprehensible are deemed to be the work of gods. Normally these gods are seen as possessing divine powers beyond human capability, and therefore are worshiped by humans. These people praise these gods, sometimes giving up sacrifices for them or even killing other humans to please them. However, this traditional and familiar view of gods is challenged by Sappho in her poems. Sappho advocates for a novel type of thinking in which the gods exist to serve the humans, which can clearly be seen in what Sappho asks of Aphrodite and how she imagines Aphrodite will react, that provides a new way of interpreting Greek mythology. Sappho first introduces us to this idea through what she explicitly asks of Aphrodite. The story begins with Sappho begging for Aphrodite to “not break with hard pains, / O lady, [her] heart” (Sappho 1:3-1:4). Here she is calling Aphrodite looking for help with a situation that is taking a heavy toll on her heart. She asks Aphrodite to change her situation around and spare her from potential heart …show more content…
Sappho is telling Aphrodite to come to her rather than asking, as if it is her right to demand service from a god. She then tells Aphrodite to stop her from caring about this love interest and requests that Aphrodite be her “ally” in this battle of love (Sappho 7:4). The use of the word “ally” here carries the connotation of equality and mutual aid in this imaginary battle that Sappho creates against her love interest (Sappho 7:4). Normally, allies are viewed as people who will help you when you need them and vice versa, suggesting a sense of equality in work and power between the two, however, Sappho seems to take control over Aphrodite in this relationship because she is telling Aphrodite to be her ally. Throughout this text Sappho doesn’t actually ask for anything from Aphrodite, but instead demands