Both Robert Fitzgerald and Ian Johnston offer distinct translations of Homer's Iliad, each bringing their own style to the epic's rich narrative. Fitzgerald's translation tends to use more formal and poetic diction, capturing the grandeur of the ancient Greek text. For example, in the opening lines of Book 1, Fitzgerald writes, "Anger be now your song, immortal one, / Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous," emphasizing the timeless and destructive nature of Achilles' wrath with a notable emphasis on rhythm and sound. In contrast, Johnston's translation is more direct and modern, opting for a straightforward approach with lines like "Sing, Goddess, sing the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus," which maintains clarity and accessibility while still addressing the same themes of rage and divine influence. Both translators preserve the essential elements of Homer's story, but their choices in language reflect differing priorities: poetic majesty in Fitzgerald versus narrative clarity in Johnston. The two translations also differ in their portrayal of dialogue and theme. In a scene from Book 5 where Athena encourages Diomedes, Fitzgerald uses more complex language: "while I am with you. Whip your team / toward Ares, hit him, hand to hand, defer / no longer." This nuanced vocabulary heightens the dramatic tension and heroic ethos. Meanwhile, Johnston's version communicates the exchange with simplicity and briskness: "But come, first let your sure-footed horses / charge at Ares. Hit him up close." This approach allows readers to focus on the content of the message rather than its delivery. Themes such as mortality and fate are similarly handled with variation; Fitzgerald's use of imagery about "leaves" in Book 6 is lyrical and metaphorical, while Johnston mirrors this with comparative simplicity. Despite these stylistic differences, both translations are effective in conveying the timeless themes of the Iliad, balancing the ancient epic's complexity with the need for modern comprehension.
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.
Sing, Goddess, sing the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—
that murderous anger which condemned Achaeans
to countless agonies and threw many warrior souls
deep into Hades, leaving their dead bodies
carrion food for dogs and birds—
all in fulfilment of the will of Zeus.