Sappho by Charles Kingsley (1870)
The book SAPPHO by Charles Kingsley is a historical fiction novel set in ancient Greece. It tells the story of the poetess Sappho and her love for Phaon, a young man from Lesbos who she met while visiting the island. The book explores themes such as love, loss, and the power of poetry to transcend time and space.
By Charles Kingsley · First published 1870 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance · 439 words
First lines
She lay among the myrtles on the cliff; Above her glared the noon; beneath, the sea.
Upon the white horizon Atho's peak Weltered in burning haze; all airs were dead; The cicale slept among the tamarisk's hair; The birds sat dumb and drooping. Far below The lazy sea-weed glistened in the sun; The lazy sea-fowl dried their steaming wings; The lazy swell crept whispering up the ledge, And sank again. Great Pan was laid to rest; And Mother Earth watched by him as he slept, And hushed her myriad children for a while.
What this Textopian page supports
Sappho is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Kingsley, dated 1870 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charles Kingsley
- Date: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance, Tragedy
- Length: 439 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sappho by Charles Kingsley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Sappho?
- How does this poem by Charles Kingsley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Erinna by Sara Teasdale
- Athenian by Gilbert Parker
- Theseus And Hippolyta by Frederic Manning
- Country Sentiment The Beacon by Robert Graves
- Country Sentiment The Voice Of Beauty Drowned by Robert Graves
- Shakespeare And His Love by Frank Harris
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The works of Charles Kingsley, including 'Sappho,' often fall into the historical fiction genre. The story is set in a historical period, weaving fiction into history.
- Drama — Kingsley's 'Sappho' depicts a range of human experiences and emotions, often dealing with intense situations and interpersonal conflict which are common elements in drama genre.
- Romance — The story of 'Sappho' incorporates romantic relationships and affairs as one of the core themes, fitting it into the romance genre.
- Tragedy — The tragic fall of characters, unfortunate outcomes, and the dealing with sorrowful and distressing events make 'Sappho' a tragedy.
Tags
poetry · ancient Greece · female voice · lyricism · love · desire · mythology · feminism · identity · art · beauty · romanticism