It is very much a matter of style and personal preference. I'm a big fan of Fagles, but then he was who I read first, so seems 'right'.
Best option would be download the samples for several different versions from Amazon and read the same section by several translators. That would probably let you find out which style fits you best.
As an example, this is the opening from Fitzgerald's and Fagles' translations:
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. . . .
|
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. . . .
|