Comparing the translations of the Iliad by Stephen Mitchell and Emily Wilson reveals notable differences in style and language. Stephen Mitchell's rendition is known for its straightforward and modern approach, aiming to make the text accessible to contemporary readers. For instance, Mitchell's introduction to Book 1 captures the "deadly rage" of Achilles with a directness that underscores the devastation and follows with a call to "sing it now, goddess, sing through me." In Book 5, Athena's encouragement to Diomedes is conveyed in clear, direct language: "drive straight at Ares, close in and hit him," emphasizing action and urgency. Mitchell's focus is on clarity and the emotional weight of the narrative, as seen in passages like "one generation comes to life while another one passes away," which offers a reflection on the transient nature of human life. Emily Wilson, on the other hand, is recognized for her elegant and rhythmic translation that often seeks to preserve the poetic qualities of the original text while remaining accessible. Her translation begins Book 1 with "Goddess, sing of the cataclysmic wrath," using a more formal tone that resonates with the epic's grandeur. Wilson's version of Athena's speech in Book 5 maintains a poetic cadence with phrases like “Come on now, drive your horse straight at Ares,” blending encouragement with vivid imagery. Her interpretation often includes a focus on the literary beauty of the original, as seen in her rendering of Book 6's reflection on human generations: "The generations of men are like the growth and fall of leaves," which highlights the cyclical nature of life and death. Both translators offer valuable perspectives, with Mitchell leaning towards modernity and directness, and Wilson towards poetic elegance and fidelity to Homeric style.
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.
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.