The translations of Homer's Iliad by Robert Fagles and Rodney Merrill both offer distinct renditions of this ancient epic. Robert Fagles's translation tends to capture the grandiose and emotive nature of the original text with a poetic flow that emphasizes the themes of rage and heroism. His version opens with a powerful invocation of Achilles' rage, describing it as "murderous" and "doomed," setting the tone for the epic's exploration of wrath and fate. Fagles uses vivid imagery and dynamic language throughout, as seen in Book 5 when Athena encourages Diomedes to confront Ares, describing the War-god as "born for disaster." This approach makes the text approachable for modern readers while retaining the intensity and drama of the original epic. Rodney Merrill's translation, meanwhile, adopts a more literal approach, intending to preserve the rhythmic quality of Homer's dactylic hexameter. His introduction to Achilles' wrath is similarly compelling, but he opts for phrasing like "ruinous rage" and highlights the narrative's beginning with precision. In Book 5, Merrill retains a formal structure while delivering Athena's encouragement to Diomedes, focusing on fidelity to the original Greek syntax and structure. Merrill's translation, with its focus on maintaining Homer's unique meter, provides readers with a different experience, aiming to echo the oral traditions of ancient Greek storytelling. Both translations, through their unique strengths, bring to life the enduring themes of heroism, fate, and mortality central to 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.
Sing now, goddess, the wrath of Achilles the scion of Peleus,
ruinous rage which brought the Achaians uncounted afflictions;
many the powerful souls it sent to the dwelling of Hades,
those of the heroes, and spoil for the dogs it made of their bodies,
plunder for all of the birds, and the purpose of Zeus was accomplished—
sing from the time when first stood hostile, starting the conflict,
Atreus' scion, the lord of the people, and noble Achilles.