Praised as one of the great lyric poets of her time, Sappho explored themes of love, desire, and intimacy in rich language and natural imagery. Of her nine books, only one complete poem remains, as well as fragments on tattered papyrus and quotes in the writings of other authors. Students consider how Sappho’s themes complement and contradict those in Homeric epic, while using their imaginations to interpret these incomplete works. Sappho’s poetic fragments illustrate the range and diversity of ancient texts, while also raising important questions about the challenges of literary interpretation.