The two translations of Homer's "Iliad" by Robert Fitzgerald and Emily Wilson offer distinct styles while conveying the same epic story. Fitzgerald opens with a powerful portrayal of Achilles' anger as "doom and ruinous," leading to "carrion for dogs and birds," reflecting a vivid and dramatic tone. In contrast, Wilson's version describes Achilles' wrath as "cataclysmic" and aligns with a more straightforward narrative style, outlining how "the plan of Zeus unfolded." When Athena encourages Diomedes in battle, Fitzgerald emphasizes the maniacal nature of Ares and his betrayal, showcasing emotional intensity. Wilson's translation, however, maintains a slightly more restrained tone as Athena describes Ares as a "shapeshifter" who is "made for trouble," yet still captures the essence of divine intrigue and influence. Both translators illustrate the theme of mortality, comparing men to the "growth and fall of leaves," with Fitzgerald focusing on the imagery of "old leaves, cast on the ground," whereas Wilson's wording is more concise but equally effective in highlighting the cyclical nature of life. Achilles' choice between glory and longevity is expressed with clarity in both translations, where Fitzgerald speaks of "unfading glory" versus a "long life," and Wilson describes the trade-off between an eternal "name" and life without "glory." Finally, in contemplating death, Fitzgerald's Achilles speaks of destiny with a grandeur befitting his heroic stature, while Wilson’s rendering maintains the solemn inevitability of fate, emphasizing Achilles' awareness of mortality despite his divine heritage. Both translations successfully capture the timeless themes of heroism, fate, and human struggle at the heart of the epic.
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.
Goddess, sing of the cataclysmic wrath
of great Achilles, son of Peleus,
which caused the Greeks immeasurable pain
and sent so many noble souls of heroes
to Hades, and made men the spoils of dogs,
a banquet for the birds, and so the plan
of Zeus unfolded—starting with the conflict
between great Agamemnon, lord of men,
and glorious Achilles.