Was Sappho gay?

Posted by Robin Fowler Sep 11, 2006

Due to the passionate nature of many of Sappho's poems, and the fact that they were written about or in tribute to specific women in her life, the idea that Sappho was gay has been a popular notion for years. In fact, the word lesbian is derived from Lesbos, the island where Sappho lived and worked. While it is true that she often wrote lovingly and extensively about these women, there is no real evidence either way of the nature of her relationships with them.

We know that Sappho was married, and had a daughter during her lifetime. But, we also know that marriage for ancient men did not keep them from enjoying the company of those of the same gender (in an intimate way). This behavior certainly would have been frowned upon, even forbidden, for a Greek woman. But, Sappho was not your ordinary Greek woman.

Sappho kept company with many Greek female poets and other women, who emulated her and learned from her lyrical style and bravado. It is not outside of the realm of possibility that she was merely paying tribute to other poets, women, whom she admired and respected, and that the passion in her words have been misconstrued (and likely mistranslated - her Aeolic dialect of Greek is famously tricky to decipher).

Could her access to the intellectual and public life have given her the ability to have been free with her lifestyle choices? Or, was she simply enamored with and in awe of her female friends, mentors, and apprentices in a totally platonic way? And does it really matter anyway? In truth, her sexuality really has no bearing on the content of her poetry, its power, and its huge role in the development of lyric poetry and song.

Sacrifice to Beauty

To Helen of the golden hair

Or silver-voiced Hermione

And not to mortal maiden fair

Would it be just to liken thee

And so a sacrifice divine

To your perfection do I bring:

Libation pour of my heart's wine;

Of all my thoughts make offering

Sappho