Figurative Analysis: Sappho's Unrequited Love

Nadeen Hijaz
GSI: Kuan
Rhetoric 103A
26 November 2016

Sappho's Unrequited Love

        In Sappho’s Ode to Aphrodite, a nameless figure prays to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, to release him or her from the tortuous “affliction” by granting an affair of the heart. However, the speaker is bound and determined to acquire a resisting lover to combat this suffering. It is later revealed that the nameless figure is Sappho who pleaded love to Aphrodite to assist her. Sappho forms an alliance with Aphrodite to release her from this “anguish” by granting her assurance that her unrequited love would conform. She would be remised if she did not call upon Aphrodite to console her from an unremitting pain like she had done “once before” (6), so that the obstinate lover would be coaxed into reciprocating these sentiments.

        Sappho makes use of allegory to highlight Aphrodite as an abstraction of love, a “great woman” (3) who represents selfless devotion, as well as encouragement. Aphrodite’s multidimensionality reveals her character to be patient and compassionate with Sappho who is conflicted by the harrowing experience of rejection. She narrates love to be a representation of faith that replaces uncertainty by entrusting Aphrodite’s “urgings.” Sappho provides insight on how compassion is meant to be communicated throughout the world by narrating Aphrodite to be this “great woman” (3) who is an archetype for zealous love.

        Sappho employs the rhetorical figure assonance to create internal rhythm around Aphrodite, the “daughter of Zeus” who is a “weaver of snares” (2). This musical pairing eternalizes Aphrodite through song to be a harmonious goddess with etherial qualities. Aphrodite’s reputable lineage slowly dissipates Sappho’s apprehension because she is equipped with the power and capabilities to entrap reluctant lovers. She narrates Aphrodite to uphold authoritative and gentile qualities so the audience may comprehend her hypnotic effect.

        Sappho augments hyperbole to exaggerate the urgency of her despair. Her ernest behavior creates an emphasis on love that transcends human emotions into otherworldly matters. Aphrodite prioritized Sappho’s request since she had “left [her] father’s golden chambers” (9) abruptly to answer Sappho’s “distant voice” (8). The use of hyperbole elaborates on the grandeur of Aphrodite’s swift retort. It is clear that Aphrodite shares an intimate friendship with Sappho that solidifies their future.

        Finally, Sappho constructs an auxesis to gradually build suspense, so that the audience is perturbed by the prospects of Aphrodite. Sappho’s final pleas are met with forceful assurance that her lover “[will] be turning towards [her]” and “by [Aphrodite’s] urging’s, she will be — willingly or not” (26-34). Through this auxesis, Aphrodite provides an ascending timeline which guarantees the main objective: love. Speech and imagery allow the audience to comprehend the lengths Aphrodite is willing to go to in order to achieve Sappho’s satisfaction.

        Desire is the driving force that leads Sappho to interface with Aphrodite to release her from her greatest “woe.” Her undeniable voice distinctly argues for the attainability of love. The employment of rhetorical devices further demonstrates the influence Sappho has had on Aphrodite’s decision to assist her with this endeavor. Sappho artfully utilizes emotion, structure, and companionship to persuade the powerful Aphrodite.