Robert Fagles and George Chapman offer distinct translations of Homer's Iliad, each capturing the epic's grandeur in unique ways. Fagles’s version, known for its modern accessibility and dynamic pacing, brings clarity and emotional intensity to the text. His translation, like in the opening lines, emphasizes the raw fury and the devastating consequences of Achilles' wrath, painting a vivid picture of the House of Death claiming the souls of great fighters. This translation employs powerful, straightforward language that communicates the action and emotion in a way that resonates with contemporary readers. Fagles maintains a balance between staying true to the original Greek and offering a rhythm that reflects the poem's oral traditions. In contrast, George Chapman's translation, crafted in the early 17th century, offers a more archaic and elevated style, consistent with the poetic norms of his time. Chapman's version opts for a more florid and elaborate language, as seen in his rendering of Achilles’ wrath as "baneful" and the imagery of souls sent to an "invisible cave." His translation reflects the Elizabethan penchant for ornate and ceremonial diction. Although this can create a more challenging reading experience for modern audiences, Chapman's work illustrates a deep commitment to the poetic and rhythmic structures inherent in the original text. Both translations serve their eras faithfully—Fagles with his inviting immediacy, and Chapman with his formal grandeur—each contributing to the enduring legacy of the Iliad.
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.
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.