Stanley Lombardo and Herbert Jordan provide distinct translations of Homer's Iliad that reveal different stylistic approaches to the epic's themes and characters. Lombardo's translation stands out for its modern, energetic language that often simplifies complex ideas for accessibility. For example, his handling of Achilles' rage in Book 1 uses direct, impactful phrases like "Black and murderous" that swiftly convey the gravity of the hero's anger. In Book 5, Athena's guidance to Diomedes is expressed in casual, almost conversational terms, calling Ares a "shifty lout," amplifying the divine-human connection through a more relatable tone. Lombardo often emphasizes the drama and immediacy of battle as seen in his rendering of existential reflections, like in the famous choice given to Achilles in Book 9, where he maintains a straightforward dichotomy between glory and longevity. Herbert Jordan, on the other hand, maintains a more traditional and formal style, preserving the stately rhythm of the original Greek. His translation of the Iliad frequently utilizes a more elevated vocabulary. In Book 1, Achilles' anger is described as "ruinous," indicating the thematic weight of the rage with a sense of grandeur. Jordan's Athena, as seen in Book 5, uses phrases like "frenzied two-faced pest" to add depth to Ares' betrayal, conveying gods' complexities in a more formal tone. When discussing the fleeting nature of human life, akin to leaves on trees, Jordan's choice of words in Book 6 adds a poetic flourish reminiscent of epic traditions. Overall, both translators capture the essence of Homer's work but cater to different reader sensibilities: Lombardo’s work connects through immediacy and modernity, while Jordan’s translation reflects a commitment to the classical and ceremonial feel of the epic.
Sing, Goddess, Achilles' rage,
Black and murderous, that cost the Greeks
Incalculable pain, pitched countless souls
Of heroes into Hades' dark,
And left their bodies to rot as feasts
For dogs and birds, as Zeus' will was done.
Sing, goddess, of Peleus' son Achilles' anger,
ruinous, that caused the Greeks untold ordeals,
consigned to Hades countless valiant souls,
heroes, and left their bodies prey for dogs
or feast for vultures. Zeus's will was done
from when those two first quarreled and split apart,
the king, Agamemnon, and matchless Achilles.