Quote:
Originally Posted by Timoleon
Totally agree. I think the Fitzgerald translations set the bar for everything else that follows.
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Hmm. I'm a big Fagles fan, but two recommendations in a row make this worth checking out.
Just on the openings though,
Fitzgerald:
Quote:
Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus’ anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the undergloom,
leaving so many dead men — carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.
Begin it when the two men first contending
broke with one another —
the Lord Marshal
Agamémnon, Atreus’ son, and Prince Akhilleus. . . .
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Fagles:
Quote:
Rage — Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,
murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds,
and the will of Zeus was moving toward its end.
Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed,
Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles. . . .
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I find that the second makes me want to read the rest of the book, more than the first does. Perhaps a more populist translation.