Robert Fagles and Anthony Verity have each provided distinct translations of Homer's Iliad, offering readers varied experiences of the classic epic. Fagles' translation is known for its vivid and dynamic language that brings energy to the text. For instance, his rendering of Achilles' anger in Book 1 is direct and intense: "Rage—Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles," which immediately sets a powerful tone. Fagles often uses striking imagery, such as describing the souls of fallen warriors as "feasts for the dogs and birds," to paint a graphic and engaging picture. His translation tends to foreground the dramatic tension and emotional depth within the narrative, making the epic resonant for contemporary audiences. In contrast, Anthony Verity's translation is characterized by a focus on clarity and fidelity to the original Greek, maintaining a more restrained and structured approach. In the Book 1 introduction, Verity uses the phrase "Sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son," which aligns more closely with traditional translations. His choice of words aims to stay true to the epic's formality, and his descriptions, like "the prey of dogs and all kinds of birds," are slightly more reserved yet precise. Verity's translation tends to emphasize the narrative's continuity, respect for poetic form, and a clear conveyance of the epic's themes, offering readers an experience rooted in its classical origins. Overall, while Fagles brings a dynamic and bold flavor to the text, Verity delivers a more measured and faithful rendition, each inviting different types of engagement with Homer's work.
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, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son,
the accursed anger which brought the Achaeans countless
agonies and hurled many mighty shades of heroes into Hades,
causing them to become the prey of dogs and
all kinds of birds; and the plan of Zeus was fulfilled.
Sing from the time the two men were first divided in strife—
Atreus' son, lord of men, and glorious Achilles.