This was a gem of an essay that made for pleasant reading. My undergraduate days go back fifty years. I said that to say this: You and Robert Kmita will be directly responsible for the goodly number of books I will acquire in 2025 to either read or re-read. I would answer the rhetorical question from your Elizabeth Barrett Browning excerpt with a succinct yes. Finally, the last sentence is just outstanding. I made the sign of the cross as I read it.
I also find heroic couplets rather tiresome, especially in a long poem. I can't quite understand why they were so popular in the days of Dryden and Alexander Pope!
I want to share the translation of the Iliad by Ian Johnston. I kind of prefer Robert Fagles version of the beginning verse and Ian Johnston's version of the last verse. Thank you for this article. It delights and instructs me in a cold Monday morning:)
Here's Ian Johnston translation of the Iliad:
Sing, Goddess, sing of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—
I think JOB 🤔📖🪔 is the foundational poem of the Western Corpus. Super old✨ (probably pre-dates Moses), multiple ancient versions, very difficult 🌪️ to translate and universal in scope. Just this okie's view.
My copy if the Illiad is a Robert Fagles translation! But I've been told it's not the best one; that deterred me form ever reading it - that and the 82 page introduction. But this post is encouraging, thank you.I might finally read it now. It's a beautiful volume, very well bound and with coloured illustrations.
There's no perfect translation of the Iliad, but Fagles' (award-winning) translation is excellent. Skip the introduction and dive in! If you really want to get into it, here's some advice from Fagles (who was an English professor): "Sit in groups and read aloud, and don't stop reading aloud. Find the voice of Achilles, the voice of beautiful Helen. Poetry is meant to be heard, it is meant to be acted out by reading."
PRAY FOR TRANSLATORS! 📚🌙🌴🌊
This was a gem of an essay that made for pleasant reading. My undergraduate days go back fifty years. I said that to say this: You and Robert Kmita will be directly responsible for the goodly number of books I will acquire in 2025 to either read or re-read. I would answer the rhetorical question from your Elizabeth Barrett Browning excerpt with a succinct yes. Finally, the last sentence is just outstanding. I made the sign of the cross as I read it.
Thank you for this comment, Steve, I'm so glad that you enjoyed the essay!
I think I’ve been living under a rock. I never knew these categories. Thank you for introducing me to it.
Dryden! Why must thou write this way?
Everything sounds fake and gay.
All your thoughts come out so trivial
In your sad attempt to sound convivial.
Heroic couplets are a barb'rous medium,
Suitable only for producing tedium.
John Milton made them obsolete.
Blank verse is much more true and sweet.
I also find heroic couplets rather tiresome, especially in a long poem. I can't quite understand why they were so popular in the days of Dryden and Alexander Pope!
Fantastic post. Thank you.
You're welcome, Nick, thanks for commenting.
I want to share the translation of the Iliad by Ian Johnston. I kind of prefer Robert Fagles version of the beginning verse and Ian Johnston's version of the last verse. Thank you for this article. It delights and instructs me in a cold Monday morning:)
Here's Ian Johnston translation of the Iliad:
Sing, Goddess, sing of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—
that murderous anger which condemned Achaeans
to countless agonies and threw many warrior souls
deep into Hades, leaving their dead bodies
carrion food for dogs and birds—
all in fulfillment of the will of Zeus.
Thanks for giving us another translation example, Robson, and I'm glad you enjoyed the article!
I think JOB 🤔📖🪔 is the foundational poem of the Western Corpus. Super old✨ (probably pre-dates Moses), multiple ancient versions, very difficult 🌪️ to translate and universal in scope. Just this okie's view.
The Book of Job is definitely a masterpiece, and Milton did consider Job an epic!
That was truly superb and I loved the ending too - thank you.
You're welcome, Kate, and thank you for commenting!
This was great. I always wanted to learn more about Greek epics.
My copy if the Illiad is a Robert Fagles translation! But I've been told it's not the best one; that deterred me form ever reading it - that and the 82 page introduction. But this post is encouraging, thank you.I might finally read it now. It's a beautiful volume, very well bound and with coloured illustrations.
There's no perfect translation of the Iliad, but Fagles' (award-winning) translation is excellent. Skip the introduction and dive in! If you really want to get into it, here's some advice from Fagles (who was an English professor): "Sit in groups and read aloud, and don't stop reading aloud. Find the voice of Achilles, the voice of beautiful Helen. Poetry is meant to be heard, it is meant to be acted out by reading."
Many thanks for this! And thank you for giving me the permission to skip that introduction.
Big Time Dude! ⏳✍🏼🌐🔔
This one will take a while....
Grace and peace to you Amigo!