George Chapman's translation of the Iliad is notable for its Elizabethan style, rich with archaic language and elaborate phrasing. In the opening lines, Chapman invokes Achilles' "baneful wrath" and describes the "infinite sorrows" it brought upon the Greeks, using a highly poetic and stylized diction that mirrors the grandeur and gravitas of the epic form. His translation often emphasizes the moral and existential themes of the original, as seen in Book 6 with the metaphor of man being akin to autumn leaves, emphasizing the transient nature of life. Chapman's language imbues the text with a somber depth, particularly in moments reflecting on fate and mortality, like Achilles' choice between glory and a long life in Book 9. His version is often celebrated for its rhythmic and musical qualities, capturing the oral tradition of the original work. In contrast, Herbert Jordan's translation presents a more straightforward and accessible rendition of the Iliad. His choice of language is simpler and less ornate, aiming for a directness that makes the text more approachable for contemporary readers. The opening of the epic is concise, immediately foregrounding Achilles’ "anger" and its disastrous consequences. Jordan maintains clarity while preserving the essential narrative and thematic elements, such as the inevitability of death in Book 21, where Achilles reflects on mortality with a poignant acceptance of fate. His translation conveys the timelessness of the Iliad's story through modern language without sacrificing the epic's emotional and philosophical weight. By adopting a more neutral tone, Jordan's work allows readers to engage with the depth of Homer’s tale in a way that feels relevant and immediate.
Achilles' baneful wrath resound, O Goddess, that impos'd
Infinite sorrows on the Greeks, and many brave souls loos'd
From breasts heroic; sent them far to that invisible cave
That no light comforts; and their limbs to dogs and vultures gave:
To all which Jove's will gave effect; from whom first strife begun
Betwixt Atrides, king of men, and Thetis' godlike son.
Sing, goddess, of Peleus' son Achilles' anger,
ruinous, that caused the Greeks untold ordeals,
consigned to Hades countless valiant souls,
heroes, and left their bodies prey for dogs
or feast for vultures. Zeus's will was done
from when those two first quarreled and split apart,
the king, Agamemnon, and matchless Achilles.