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Let's discuss the premace, your feelings about the topic, and your understanding of the writing style.

Which translation [into English] is the best?

Zina wrote: "Which translation [into English] is the best?"

For the Iliad, Richmond Lattimore is absolutely the best. In the original Greek, Homer plays with sounds, so for instance when he speaks of the sea, he used Greek words which sounded like rolling waves. Lattimore tries to emulate this. Plus, his translation sounds beautiful ..... simple, unadorned, but managing in so many places to capture the feel of the original.

Fitzgerald is okay but C.S. Lewis has an essay on why he doesn't care for his translation.

Fagles is more of a retelling than a translation ..... okay for highschool students for a first introduction but otherwise, not great.

Hope that helps!

RS wrote: "I appreciate the translation breakdown Cleo!!!"

You're very welcome, RS!!

Chaplain wrote: "Let's discuss the premace, your feelings about the topic, and your understanding of the writing style."

Wait! I have a copy of this hanging out on my shelves... I want to read this with a group since the first time I read it, I didn't really enjoy my time with it.

Cleo wrote: "Zina wrote: "Which translation [into English] is the best?"

For the Iliad, Richmond Lattimore is absolutely the best. In the original Greek, Homer plays with sounds, so for instance when he speaks..."

Oh yikes... I have the Fagles translation. Maybe that's why I had a difficult time with it? Didn't know it was a retelling.

I'm thinking that I'm going to pick up the Caroline Alexander translation since I've heard amazing things about it... and besides, I'm super pumped that it was translated by a woman. Have you read this translation, Cleo?

Tiffany wrote: "Oh yikes... I have the Fagles translation. Maybe that's why I had a difficult time with it? Didn't know it was a retelling.
..."

I think she meant that he simplified the words so much that it reads like a retelling even though it is a translation .... or a loose translation. I don't like his translation of The Iliad but his Odyssey translation is supposed to be better. I'll be reading it soon.

As for Caroline Alexander, I haven't read it yet.

May I first ask you what is important to you when reading a translated work and a poem, at that? Faithfulness to the original? Easiness of read? How it sounds?

Hm, your question is a bit difficult to answer. I love translations to be faithful to the original but understand that sometimes that can be hard given the language. However, for now, I think I want to find something that's easy to read- something that gives the story but can be read easily.

If this makes any kind of sense? I might not be making sense. I haven't read much epic poetry- especially epic poetry that's in translation. Heard that the Fagles translation is really good for people who are being introduced to the Iliad... but I'm not really sure if this is the case since I had a hard time with it when I gave it a read some years back.

Tiffany wrote: "Hm, your question is a bit difficult to answer. I love translations to be faithful to the original but understand that sometimes that can be hard given the language. However, for now, I think I wan..."

Yes, you make absolute sense, Tiffany! If you want a faithful retelling, Lattimore is hands down the best. I would try his translation first. Also, try reading it out loud, or at least parts of it out loud. It was meant to be heard and it might make it easier to understand. If you find you're really struggling, then consider another translation. You've probably been reading quite a few classics since the last time you tried Fagles so you could try it again and see how it goes. What I always suggest to people is to read a children's retelling first, something such as The Iliad for Boys and Girls so you already have the story in your mind and then, when you read the original, you don't have to focus on so many things at the same time. In the original, Homer basically tells you what's going to happen in different parts, so spoilers are not a consideration.

I'm actually reading it now for about the fourth time. I'm about half way through but have made lots of notes and I've listened to lectures on it before so if you want me to read/discuss with you, I'm happy to. Just let me know!

Cleo wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "What I always suggest to people is to read a children's retelling first, something such as The Iliad for Boys and Girls so you already have the story in your mind." - But isn't everybody already familiar with that from childhood? I imagine, everybody read that as kids. It's hard to avoid the story of the Golden Fleece, or Hercules, or the Illiad. Seriously did anybody here never encountered this story before?

Cleo wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "Hm, your question is a bit difficult to answer. I love translations to be faithful to the original but understand that sometimes that can be hard given the language. However, for no..."

Thanks so much, Cleo! I am definitely going to follow your advice. I have heard through the grapevine that with epic poetry (or poetry in general) that it's best to read them out loud to get the language since there's something about listening to the story where it makes understanding it a lot better.

I think for now I'll see if I can find that copy for children and read that one for now, and then find the translation that you recommended when I feel more confident. Maybe it's lack of confidence that had me not like my time with The Iliad the first time when I read it.

Tiffany wrote: "Thanks so much, Cleo! I am definitely going to follow your advice. I have heard through the grapevine that with epic poetry..."

You're so welcome, Tiffany! Someone once told me that when reading classics, even if you only understand 30% you're much better off than never having read them at all. I found that thought comforting and inspiring. And you can always read them again, right?

Please let me know how your children's version goes!

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