Sappho's Poetry: Implications for Classical Research Proposal

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Thus, some may argue that the Sappho's implication for modern gender roles is stunning, suggesting that feminism is not a modern movement, but had its roots as far back as Sappho's time.

In addition to its implications for gender and all humanity, Sappho's poetry is of special significance regarding the topic of homosexuality. North writes that two important terms used by homosexual women today come from Sappho and her surroundings -- lesbian and Sapphic.

Probably the most important implication of Sappho's poetry regarding this issue, however, is that it not only occurred but seems to have been accepted and commonplace. This suggests that homosexuality, like poetry, drama, and government, which have roots in the ancient Greek social system, has a long and varied history. Advocates of homosexual relationships and their normalcy in modern society may argue that Sappho's poetry emphasizes the fact that these types of feelings and activities are natural, while others may simply suggest that the poetry records a history of deviant behavior. Thus, the modern implications for Sappho's poetry are quite large. Not only does the poet's work reflect what is most often searched for in a poem, the ability to apply to other generations and readers, but also the poem suggests that issues of gender and sexuality have long, complex histories with implications for today's movements, such as the feminist movements and various homosexual movements. Readers in today's world can gain a better understanding of the conflicts that have always wracked our world by reading Sappho.

But while emphasizing the timeless nature of her work, it is also necessary to suggest the importance of its cultural implications.By reading Sappho's works, scholars can gain a better understanding of what life was like in Ancient Greece, especially for women. Though it is dangerous to use only the works of Sappho as a barometer to measure this, it is appropriate to gain impressions from Sappho's work that govern how the ancient world, and especially its implications for women, are studied.

Bibliography

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North, Alix. "Isle of Lesbos." Sappho.com.

http://www.sappho.com/poetry/sappho.html.

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Alix North. "Sappho." Isle of Lesbos, http://www.sappho.com/poetry/sappho.html

ibid ibid ibid

Sappho. "Hymn to Aphrodite." Poetry Archive, http://www.poetry-archive.com/s/hymn_to_aphrodite.html

ibid

North

Sappho. "Before they were mothers." Poem Hunter, http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/before-they-were-mothers/

North

North

ibid

Williamson. "Sappho's Immortal Daughters." Colorado State University, http://lamar.colostate.edu/~jgaughan/courses/309/texts/WilliamsonSappho.htm

Mary Altman. "Sappho's Lost Session." Wellesley Centers for Women, http://www.wcwonline.org/?option=com_content&task=view&id=1186&Itemid=0

ibid ibid

North.....