Irony

by bellasemplicita

‘Leto and Niobe were deeply loving friends.’

– Sappho (no. 85)

When I first read this remnant of one of Sappho’s poems, I took it as a statement of fact.  Although, I knew the myth I was unable to detect a sense of irony.  It seemed to add an interesting quirk to the story.  Perhaps I took it as fact because I was more interested in it being so.

‘Leto and Niobe were deeply loving friends.’

However, when I now read this fragment I can not help but wonder what Sappho meant.  Perhaps it is only cruel irony.

Photo by Mario Giacomelli

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