Quote:
Originally Posted by WT Sharpe
Ginsberg was an extremely talented poet, but reading his works usually depresses me, as he's so hung up on his mother's mental problems, which he describes in ways that leave no painful detail to the imagination. He was obviously a deeply troubled soul.
I assume you meant Sappho; correct me if I'm wrong. That's a lovely poem, but it's a shame that Catullo felt it necessary to "heterosexualize" the original when he made his translation. I fail to see how that honors her.
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I mean Sappho, I just italianized her.
Being translated is like being imitated, it is the highest honor for a poet. Like a peer to peer homage. Simili modo, choosing as nick name for his angel/devil girl the same name of the angel/devil of Sappho is an homage.
I do not thik that he felt it necessary to "heterosexualize" the original when he made his translation. He just translated it and put it on himself. as it fitted like a glove his own feelings. Quite common feelings by the way, although expressed in a high poetical form, both by Sappho and by Catullo. I am speechless. We might say that when we go and pick her up for a date and she comes down the stairs quite divinely attired for an evening out with a bum like you or me,. That is the real marvel to behold.
I am sorry, I got mixed up with the
he and the
she. And I am not the only one (that was John Lennon, right?)
In the original Sappho (a
she) refers to her Lesbia (an other
she) and uses the
she in
her poem
In the Catullo original, that is the translation in Latin of Sappho's poem, with the same Sapphic stanza structure, Catullo (a
he) refers to
his Lesbia (a different
she than Sappho's Lesbia) and uses the
she in
his poem.
(Let me say the last stupid thing of the day but hopefully not the least). Is it straight now?
astra, want a puff?