Stephen Mitchell and Anthony Verity present two different translations of Homer's epic, the Iliad, each bringing a distinct style and voice to the classic tale. Mitchell’s translation seems to favor a more modern, accessible style, prioritizing fluid readability while maintaining the original's narrative drive. This can be seen in passages like "The rage of Achilles—sing it now, goddess, sing through me," which captures the urgency and spirit of the epic's themes. In contrast, Verity’s translation adheres more closely to the formal structure of the original Greek text, preserving the epic's poetic qualities with lines like "SING, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son," giving a more traditional rendering of the text's opening. Both translators capture the timeless themes of heroism, mortality, and glory central to the Iliad, but they approach these themes with different emphases. Mitchell’s portrayal of Achilles’ choice between glory and longevity is straightforward and relatable: "If I stay here and keep on fighting… my glory will live forever." Verity, on the other hand, retains a more poetic structure that echoes Greek imagery and rhythm: "If I remain here and fight...my fame will never die." Similarly, both translators handle the metaphor of human life as leaves with comparable fidelity, yet Mitchell opts for simplicity while Verity leans into a more classical tone. Ultimately, both translations provide valuable and unique perspectives, allowing readers to experience the Iliad's powerful narrative through different lenses.
The rage of Achilles—sing it now, goddess, sing through me
the deadly rage that caused the Achaeans such grief
and hurled down to Hades the souls of so many fighters,
leaving their naked flesh to be eaten by dogs
and carrion birds, as the will of Zeus was accomplished.
Begin at the time when bitter words first divided
that king of men, Agamemnon, and godlike Achilles.
SING, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son,
the accursed anger which brought the Achaeans countless
agonies and hurled many mighty shades of heroes into Hades,
causing them to become the prey of dogs and
all kinds of birds; and the plan of Zeus was fulfilled.
Sing from the time the two men were first divided in strife—
Atreus' son, lord of men, and glorious Achilles.