At some point in the not-too-distant future I'm going to write a review of Peter Ramey's new Beowulf translation, so you might want to wait until that is published to decide which Beowulf translation you will read next!
You're welcome Lauren, thanks for reading! I didn't even think about the Kindle version but you're right, that's a great deal for such a high-quality edition.
Please could you recommend to me a good translation of Dante - but in book form, with parallel texts in English and Italian? I appreciate the online one you have referred to, but I would rather hold a printed book in my hands (I am nearly 79!) Many years ago I had a copy of Paget Toynbee's translation (done in the late 19th century?) but I lost it and it is probably thought very antiquated by now. One of my sons gave me a translation with parallel texts as a gift last Christmas - but I think it must be have been done by 'Google translate' as it is literal to the point of absurdity (though I have not told me son this.) I would like Dante to 'change my life' as you suggest he can; indeed, I have on my desk a copy, as yet unread, of Rod Dreher's 'How Dante can save your Life'. He mentions the translations of Robert and Jean Hollander (2002); Mark Musa (1995); and John Ciardi (2003). I have no idea of the merits of these translations and have not read Anthony Esolen's though I have seen short extracts. I trust your judgment.
Google Translate would be bold indeed to attempt to translate the Divine Comedy! I'm not familiar with Musa's translation, and Ciardi's definitely would not be my first recommendation. I am not aware of any parallel-text edition with Mandelbaum's version (and I'm pretty sure that no such edition, in book form, exists). Peter Kwasniewski's comment (see below) provides a very strong argument in favor of the Hollander translation; if Wyoming Catholic College prefers it, I have nothing to say against it. Fortunately, the Hollander version is available in parallel-text editions, so that's my recommendation. Here are the links:
Great points. I studied Dante many years ago, in the original Italian. I have almost no memory of it now but I remember admiring the verse. Beowulf is an undoubted classic too. But as you say, there are a lot challenges with medieval verse.
There are definitely challenges, not only with the texts themselves, but with the lack of other texts that would provide additional context or points of comparison. Beowulf is such a revered classic now but it survived from the Middle Ages in _only one_ manuscript. If that manuscript had been lost or destroyed before any transcriptions were made, Beowulf would be unknown to us! On top of that, Beowulf is the only surviving poem of its kind—without Beowulf we would have not one example of the full-length epic poems that must have been somewhat abundant in the days when bards were performing them for delighted Anglo-Saxon audiences.
My only disappointment is that you didn't mention what has been, for me, an absolute game-changer with regard to Beowulf, by far the best translation I've ever had the pleasure to read: Peter Ramey's, from 2023. Not only has it the most limpid and thrilling text, but the introduction and notes make the hidden meanings of the poem come alive.
It is a happy day indeed when I receive not one but two recommendations for medieval-poetry translations that I've never read before. I just looked briefly at the Hollander Paradiso, and the verse does seem very fine. Peter Ramey's book, previously unknown to me, looks superb. I am very much intrigued and feeling an urge to start reading it right now, and to my dismay I do not have a copy within reach. (Perhaps I should try to convince my university librarian to purchase one...)
Thanks for the recommendation Donna, and in fact, your comment got me to thinking that a review of Dr. Esolen's translation might be a great topic for a future post.
I just finished Mark Musa’s translation of Dante’s Inferno, but plan to read Esolen’s. Now it seems I must get a new Beowulf translation too! 😃
At some point in the not-too-distant future I'm going to write a review of Peter Ramey's new Beowulf translation, so you might want to wait until that is published to decide which Beowulf translation you will read next!
Thank you so very much for the link for Dante, it had the kindle edition for just $5.99, and as always, I love your posts 🙏🙏
You're welcome Lauren, thanks for reading! I didn't even think about the Kindle version but you're right, that's a great deal for such a high-quality edition.
Please could you recommend to me a good translation of Dante - but in book form, with parallel texts in English and Italian? I appreciate the online one you have referred to, but I would rather hold a printed book in my hands (I am nearly 79!) Many years ago I had a copy of Paget Toynbee's translation (done in the late 19th century?) but I lost it and it is probably thought very antiquated by now. One of my sons gave me a translation with parallel texts as a gift last Christmas - but I think it must be have been done by 'Google translate' as it is literal to the point of absurdity (though I have not told me son this.) I would like Dante to 'change my life' as you suggest he can; indeed, I have on my desk a copy, as yet unread, of Rod Dreher's 'How Dante can save your Life'. He mentions the translations of Robert and Jean Hollander (2002); Mark Musa (1995); and John Ciardi (2003). I have no idea of the merits of these translations and have not read Anthony Esolen's though I have seen short extracts. I trust your judgment.
Google Translate would be bold indeed to attempt to translate the Divine Comedy! I'm not familiar with Musa's translation, and Ciardi's definitely would not be my first recommendation. I am not aware of any parallel-text edition with Mandelbaum's version (and I'm pretty sure that no such edition, in book form, exists). Peter Kwasniewski's comment (see below) provides a very strong argument in favor of the Hollander translation; if Wyoming Catholic College prefers it, I have nothing to say against it. Fortunately, the Hollander version is available in parallel-text editions, so that's my recommendation. Here are the links:
Inferno: https://a.co/d/emcGTd0
Purgatorio: https://a.co/d/gdEypEV
Paradiso: https://a.co/d/51VA84L
Thank you for this recommendation. I will order the Hollander!
Great points. I studied Dante many years ago, in the original Italian. I have almost no memory of it now but I remember admiring the verse. Beowulf is an undoubted classic too. But as you say, there are a lot challenges with medieval verse.
There are definitely challenges, not only with the texts themselves, but with the lack of other texts that would provide additional context or points of comparison. Beowulf is such a revered classic now but it survived from the Middle Ages in _only one_ manuscript. If that manuscript had been lost or destroyed before any transcriptions were made, Beowulf would be unknown to us! On top of that, Beowulf is the only surviving poem of its kind—without Beowulf we would have not one example of the full-length epic poems that must have been somewhat abundant in the days when bards were performing them for delighted Anglo-Saxon audiences.
Wyatt's translation far outclasses any "poetry" being produced today. So trippy!
This is a marvelous article, thank you so much!
My only disappointment is that you didn't mention what has been, for me, an absolute game-changer with regard to Beowulf, by far the best translation I've ever had the pleasure to read: Peter Ramey's, from 2023. Not only has it the most limpid and thrilling text, but the introduction and notes make the hidden meanings of the poem come alive.
https://www.amazon.com/Word-Hoard-Beowulf-Translation-Commentary/dp/162138912X
Julian writes about this here:
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/12/28/beowulf-and-the-thumos-of-catholic-manhood/
Also, I'm no expert about Dante translations but I know that Wyoming Catholic College has long preferred Hollander's.
Allow me to recommend my former colleague Dr. Jason Baxter's fine introduction to Dante:
https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Dantes-Divine-Comedy/dp/0801098734/
Thank you for these links and suggestions!
It is a happy day indeed when I receive not one but two recommendations for medieval-poetry translations that I've never read before. I just looked briefly at the Hollander Paradiso, and the verse does seem very fine. Peter Ramey's book, previously unknown to me, looks superb. I am very much intrigued and feeling an urge to start reading it right now, and to my dismay I do not have a copy within reach. (Perhaps I should try to convince my university librarian to purchase one...)
You should try Anthony Esolen’s translation of Dante — it’s the most readable and poetic. I think it’s the best.
Thanks for the recommendation Donna, and in fact, your comment got me to thinking that a review of Dr. Esolen's translation might be a great topic for a future post.