Robert Fitzgerald and Caroline Alexander present distinct translations of Homer's Iliad, each capturing the epic's essence while offering unique stylistic approaches. Fitzgerald's translation often embraces a more traditional poetic structure, as seen in the rhythmic flow and vivid imagery of his rendition of the opening lines: "Anger be now your song, immortal one." His language tends to encapsulate the grandeur and severity of the epic through a melodious and formal expression, evidenced by phrases like "very like leaves upon this earth are the generations of men" to describe the transient nature of human life. Fitzgerald's choice of words and structure frequently accentuates the drama and pathos within the story, making the emotions of the characters palpable, such as in the line "Come, friend, face your death, you too," which emphasizes the inevitable mortality faced by even heroes like Achilles. Caroline Alexander's translation, meanwhile, presents the Iliad in a way that is both direct and accessible, focusing on clarity and precision. Her opening invocation — "Wrath—sing, goddess, of the ruinous wrath of Peleus' son Achilles" — immediately sets a tone of urgency and conflict. Alexander often employs a straightforward narrative style, as demonstrated in her version of Achilles' choice between glory and life: "if I remain here to fight around the city of the Trojans, my return home is lost, but my glory will be undying." She maintains fidelity to the Iliad's core themes while emphasizing the natural flow of language. Her translation situates the characters and their dilemmas in a relatable, human context, encouraging readers to engage deeply with the narrative's emotional and philosophical underpinnings. Overall, both translators offer valuable perspectives: Fitzgerald through a lyrical, dense poetic form and Alexander through a more streamlined, prose-like interpretation.
Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the undergloom,
leaving so many dead men—carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.
Wrath—sing, goddess, of the ruinous wrath of Peleus' son Achilles,
that inflicted woes without number upon the Achaeans,
hurled forth to Hades many strong souls of warriors
and rendered their bodies prey for the dogs,
for all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished;
sing from when they two first stood in conflict—
Atreus' son, lord of men, and godlike Achilles.