Sappho in "That Fellow Strikes Me As Essay

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Sappho

In "That fellow strikes me as god's double," the speaker experiences unrequited love. The narrator feels an overwhelming sexual desire for a man or woman on the couch, who is coupling with a "fellow." Overwhelmed with jealousy, the speaker claims that the fellow "strikes me as god's double." The phrase "strikes me" can be taken two ways: as a figure of speech but also as a literal reference to being hit. Seeing the couple on the couch together is like a stake through the speaker's heart.

Rather than turn her jealousy outward by expressing anger towards her rival, though, the speaker instead turns her pain inward and onto herself. The fellow strikes her; she does not strike him. Unlike the follow who is "god's double," the narrator has a sense of self that is "worthless." She admits that she "must suffer further" and admits temporary defeat. The fellow, on the other hand, is god's double. He is god's double likely because he is good looking, attractive enough to seduce the woman.

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He is also god's double in the sense that he is powerful enough to warrant the woman's attention and be successful in his pursuit, whereas the speaker is "worthless" and incapable of doing so.

The poet makes several references to suggest that the speaker may be of a lower social class than the object of her desire. Feeling "worthless" certainly suggests that the speaker may be a servant. However, the speaker also seems to be like an outsider looking in, spying on the couple on the couch. She is rendered speechless by "least glimpse," which may also mean that the couple on the couch is aware she is there but uninterested in her presence. Their disinterest in her, compared with the speaker's profound interest in them, suggests a differentiation of social status.

In addition to feeling a degree of envy so powerful it becomes visceral, the speaker….....

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https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sappho-fellow-strikes-53028
   

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