Sappho's expression of desire, jealousy, and emotional identification in poetry

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. 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 also identifies with the fellow. The physical attraction the speaker feels may even out do the way the fellow feels about the girl. The speaker states, "My ventricles, my sternum and stomach" are fluttering. A "flame runs radiating under / my skin." Her desire is experienced with multisensory input: suggesting that the speaker is identifying so fully with the fellow on the couch that she imagines making love to the woman beside him. After all, the speaker "quickly" sweats and shivers as well as "vibrates." Then she "suffers such a fever / As death should follow." The speaker refers to the orgasm as a little death. Except for the "fellow," the speaker deliberately leaves both herself and the object of her desire gender-neutral.

Unfortunately for the speaker, the object of her desire appears wholly uninterested in her. The narrator directly addresses the woman on the sofa. Speaking directly to her, the narrator notes, "Couched with you face-to-face," and describes "your warm manner." The speaker wants to engage the woman on the couch rather than tell a third party about her feelings. Consumed with desire, the speaker can only wish that she were sitting across from the woman rather than having to "suffer" as a worthless observer. The only suggestion that the woman on the couch might be slightly interested is when the speaker uses the word "inviting." The woman's manner is "warm," her talk is "amiable and inviting."