Robert Fagles and Samuel Butler offer distinct translations of Homer's Iliad, each capturing the essence of the epic but with different stylistic choices. Fagles's translation employs powerful imagery and dynamic language, as seen in the opening lines that speak of Achilles' "rage" and the "countless losses" it incurs, combining poetic elements with vivid detail. He uses a more contemporary syntax, making the text resonate with modern readers while preserving its epic grandeur. For example, when Athena encourages Diomedes, Fagles describes her "eyes blazing," imbuing the scene with intensity and urgency. This choice underscores the emotional stakes and the fervor of divine intervention in war. In contrast, Samuel Butler’s translation leans towards a more formal and straightforward style, reflecting the linguistic conventions of his era. Butler begins the epic by focusing on "the anger of Achilles" and its dire consequences, setting a tone that is clear and measured. When Athena speaks to Diomedes, Butler opts for a direct recount, emphasizing dialogue and narrative clarity over dramatic flourish. Moreover, Butler's rendition of life cycles as "Men come and go as leaves year by year" provides a serene, reflective comparison, straightforwardly communicating the transient nature of human existence. Both translations strive to convey the Iliad's timeless themes of heroism, mortality, and divine influence, yet they do so through distinct lenses that reflect the translators’ individual styles and historical contexts.
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.
Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another.