A. T. Murray's translation of the Iliad presents a concise and formal rendition of the epic's narrative. His translation often stays close to the original Greek structure, reflecting the elegance and gravity typical of ancient epics. For instance, in the introduction, Murray highlights the "destructive wrath" of Achilles, directly noting its impact on the Achaeans and its role in fulfilling Zeus's plan. This translation tends to use elevated, archaic language, such as "Achaeans" for the Greeks and "Hades" for the underworld, maintaining a sense of historical authenticity. Similarly, Murray captures the weight of fate and heroism in lines like those from Book 9, where Achilles contemplates his choice between a long life and everlasting renown, emphasizing the solemnity and inevitability of his predicament. In contrast, Robert Graves’s translation infuses the Iliad with a more lyrical and accessible style, often employing poetic rhythms and rhymes to convey the story's emotional intensity. In the introduction, Graves opens with "Sing, Mountain Goddess, sing through me," immediately adopting a more personal and intimate tone. His use of rhyme in passages, such as in Book 6's depiction of the life cycle with leaves and men, creates a musical quality that is less formal but more vivid. Graves often prioritizes clarity and imagery, evident in moments like Athena's encouragement to Diomedes, where she refers to Ares as a "mad, raving fellow." These choices make the epic not only relatable to modern readers but also emphasize its enduring themes of fate, honor, and mortality in a more conversational manner.
The wrath sing, goddess, of Peleus' son, Achilles, that destructive wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeans, and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of heroes, and made them themselves spoil for dogs and every bird; thus the plan of Zeus came to fulfillment, from the time when first they parted in strife Atreus' son, king of men, and brilliant Achilles.
Sing, Mountain Goddess, sing through me
That anger which most ruinously
Inflamed Achilles, Peleus' son,
And which, before the tale was done,
Had glutted Hell with champions—bold,
Stern spirits by the thousandfold;
Ravens and dogs their corpses ate
For thus did Zeus, who watched their fate,
See his resolve, first taken when
Proud Agamemnon, King of men,
An insult on Achilles cast,
Achieve accomplishment at last.