Analysis Of Sappho's Hymn By Ann Carson

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After reading the version of Sappho’s hymn by Ann Carson, her version creates a more relatable and clearer view of the poem. The use and context of her words form create more of a realistic imagery. Reading the adaptation by Ann Carson’s, while the original version and other versions, which I read all improved the clarity of the poem. Carson’s version created more relatable visuals. I found her word selection in the beginning the first improvement, immediately in the first line. “Deathless Aphrodite”. Although the poem is about or to the goddess Aphrodite the verbiage is hard to translate. Especially if you are not a person who is familiar with that era of time it may become a challenging read. I have read various types of literature from that …show more content…

If she refuses gifts, rather will she give them.
If she does not love, soon she will love
Even unwilling. (Carson)”
The woman (she) will run from love, but she will also look or accept it from someone else. I did not have to read and reread that more than five times before I understood. Carson’s piece I found I could live through the words which she had written. Understanding what you’re reading and being able to relate is important. Regardless of what you are reading you should be able to comprehend.
In general, I understand that this was about wanting something more. Needing help, or wanting to give help to someone. A woman who lost at love, and her heart is hardening, but someone is asking don’t give up, not yet. This is what I could see clearly and understand. As for her use of words and imagery I could see the sparrows and them soaring. “Whipping their wings down the sky Through midair–(Carson)”
While poems of the past are valued, it is useless if you cannot understand or today the average reader may not relate. I appreciate the Sappho translation by Carson, although it is not in the simplest form it is a poem that can be read without becoming lost is trying to decipher what you are

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