Richmond Lattimore and Emily Wilson offer distinct approaches to translating Homer's Iliad, each capturing the essence of this ancient epic in their unique styles. Lattimore's translation is more literal and closely mirrors the original Greek, preserving the formal structure and rhythm of the Homeric text. His language can feel elevated, maintaining the grandeur and gravity expected of a work first composed in heroic hexameter. For instance, his rendition of Achilles' wrath in Book 1 emphasizes the destructive potential and divine threads woven through human actions, with phrases like "gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting of dogs." This approach grounds the text in its historical and cultural roots, appealing to readers seeking a more traditional classical experience. In contrast, Emily Wilson's translation of the Iliad employs a more contemporary and accessible tone without sacrificing the epic's emotional intensity. Her focus is on clarity and readability, making the text feel fresh and immediate for a modern audience. Book 1's description of Achilles' wrath, for example, is described as "cataclysmic," showcasing both its intensity and consequences in a direct manner. Wilson's version is less concerned with mirroring the original verse and more focused on conveying the story's timeless themes and characters in relatable terms. By doing so, she invites readers unfamiliar with ancient Greek to appreciate the nuances and depth of Homer's work through a linguistic style that bridges the distant past with the present.
Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus' son Achilleus
and its devastation, which puts pains thousandfold upon the Achaians,
hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls
of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting
of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished
since that time when first there stood in division of conflict
Atreus' son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus.
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.