Sappho and Genji Sappho and Literature Review

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 896 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 3

From this prohibition, women like Murasaki Shikibu helped develop what would become known as classical Japanese prose. But because Murasaki wrote in a style of Japanese that was still developing from the spoken language, many of the physical gestures often associated with the spoken word make the prose seem "flowery," and overly descriptive. Women had a secondary role in society, and this was reflected in the writings of Murasaki as women seem to define themselves in relations to the men in their lives. And because 11th century Japan was not a monogamous society, containing both wives and concubines, the imagery used to describe women and their relationship to men is commonly filled with jealousy and rivalry. Women themselves are often portrayed from the point-of-view of longing for their man, waiting patiently for him to visit, and always willing to please him. They are also seen as vindictive and hateful as when the evil spirit of Rokujo Lady possessed the body of Genji's beloved Lady Murasaki making her ill and resulting in her death. The evil spirit admitted to Genji that it had been in possession of Murasaki's body because, as the spirit stated "I have wanted you to suffer as I suffered.

Stuck Writing Your "Sappho and Genji Sappho And" Literature Review?

View All Our Example Sappho and Genji Sappho and Literature Review

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

" (Murasaki 2001)

It may be true that both Sappho and Murasaki Shikibu were aristocrats, and thus afforded the ability to engage in artistic endeavors primarily reserved for men. They also both wrote about subject matter and in a style that was not traditional, helping to usher in a new style of literature in their respective cultures. Sappho began the tradition of personal reflection in the first person, while Murasaki Shikibu helped develop the written Japanese language. While Sappho's poetry is lyrical and lovely, pure and sensual, and devoted to love, longing, adoration, and reflection, Murasaki's style has been called "flowery" and somewhat elaborate. But when it comes to the status of women, these two women describe women in very different ways. For Sappho, women are seen as the objects of desire, filled with goodness and purity, an integral factor in love; but for Murasaki Shikibu, women are seen in a more sensible manner. Murasaki portrayed women as they were in 11th century Japan, both good and bad, but very restricted and subdued. In other words, while Sappho portrayed women in an idealistic fashion, Murasaki was forced to portray women in terms defined by her male dominated society......

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sappho And Genji Sappho And" (2012, March 21) Retrieved May 6, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sappho-genji-sappho-55229

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sappho And Genji Sappho And" 21 March 2012. Web.6 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sappho-genji-sappho-55229>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sappho And Genji Sappho And", 21 March 2012, Accessed.6 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sappho-genji-sappho-55229
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example