(no subject)

[badstar]

Hey... sherara and/or resident_geek...do either of you have a particular recommendation on translations of Homer's Illiad & Odyssey?

Comments

[marilyth.livejournal.com]

English is always a good language *nudge*

har har, I know I'm funny ;)

[sherarara.livejournal.com]

Richmond Lattimore's is not only the truest translation, it's also very easy to read prose. He writes kind of a mix between prose and poetry, and it's quite lovely and enjoyable to read. If you're trying to get something close to the original, Lattimore is really the only way to go (for instance, I have known people to use it to check their translations . . . not that I'm naming names . . . )

Lots of people like Fagles, but I wouldn't read it as my first go, but rather to compare it to the Greek and Lattimore. Stay the hell away from Rouse, no matter how cheap it is.

[resident-geek.livejournal.com]

Second that. While Fagles can be an interesting read, Lattimore best preserves the form and verbiage of the Greek, while still being a pleasure. The man had talent!

[sherarara.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, the verbiage!

Sometimes his word choice leaves you scrambling for the dictionary, I must say as belated caveat. However, I really think that Fagles makes you look more things up, mostly because he's trying to find words that fit his rhyme scheme. Yeeech.

[brcmapgirl.livejournal.com]

I like the poetic Fitzgerald version as well as the Lattimore. I think it depends what you want out of the translation. What do you guys think of the Fitzgerald Odyssey?