The Poetry of Sappho: History's first queer icon

About this event

Piece together fragments of poetry and biography to trace how Sappho became history’s enduring symbol of queer womanhood. Followed by Q&A. Of all the poets whose works survive from ancient Greece, Sappho may have the greatest claim to being a cultural icon. Both her name and the island where she lived – Lesbos – have become words we use to describe, and imagine, queer womanhood and queer female love. And yet, we know almost nothing about Sappho’s life, and her poetry survives only in fragments. In this workshop, Dr Alecto Hardwick introduces her audience to the difficulties and joys of piecing Sappho together from what remains, offering them tools for reading and experiencing her poetry. Drawing on her scholarship and her lived experience as a queer woman, Alecto explores how Sappho became what she is today, and how we – as readers, interpreters of her poetry, and humans – can participate in that story. Discover what little we know about Sappho’s life – and how much of her legend has been built on speculation and myth Trace how Sappho and the island of Lesbos became lasting symbols of queer female identity and love Explore the surviving remains of her poetry and learn tools for reading and interpreting incomplete ancient texts Consider the role scholarship and cultural imagination have played in shaping Sappho’s modern reputation Dr Alecto Hardwick (previously known as Alexandra) is a lecturer in ancient Greek literature at the University of Oxford, where she teaches undergraduates and postgraduates. Her research on the ancient world often explores identity, otherness, and strangeness in all their forms. She regularly collaborates with artists, composers, and other creators, and is passionate about sharing the ancient world with the widest possible audience. ⭐ Seed Talks have done an incredible job at making insanely cool topics easily digestible and enjoyable to learn about for ones self improvement. It's like Ted Talks, but cooler? And more accessible! - Eva W ⭐ I've attended a few of your talks over the past few months and have absolutely loved them so first of all thank you so much for bringing joy and understanding to the world of neuroscience. - Joe F