Going Back to Fr. 16

Last time when I read Kinzie's entry, I realized the analogy Sappho is trying to draw between Anaktoria and Helen of Troy.

In the very beginning of the poem, Sappho points out what she thinks to be the most beautiful thing. She thinks what one loves is more beautiful than army, horses, or soldiers. Sappho then addresses the story of Helen. With her later reference to Anaktoria, who "is gone", it becomes clear that she is trying to establish an analogy between Anakoria and Helen. Both Helen and Anaktoria are gone because of love toward others. However, Sappho also points out the difference between her reaction and the reaction of the Greeks. Sappho would rather be happy seeing Anaktoria being loved and living happily (most beautiful = "what you love"). On the other hand, the Trojan War was started because of Helen running to Troy (army, soldiers, ships = things highly praised by the male poets). Thus, we can see the difference between her distinctive view and the male poets' conventional view.