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
