The translations of Homer’s Iliad by A. T. Murray and Ian Johnston each bring their unique style and approach to this ancient epic. A. T. Murray's translation is known for its formal and classic style, aiming to maintain the structure and tone of the original Greek text. This can be seen in his word choices, such as "wrath sing, goddess, of Peleus' son, Achilles" which emphasizes a classical epic narration and maintains a certain gravity in the language. His translation style often uses more archaic constructions, which can give readers a sense of stepping back into the ancient world. In Book 5, when Athena speaks to Diomedes, Murray's formal tone persists with, "fear thou not Ares," maintaining a dignified and somewhat distant narrative voice. Ian Johnston, on the other hand, offers a more contemporary and accessible translation of the Iliad. His approach is to make the text resonate with modern readers while preserving the power and emotion of the original work. For instance, his translation begins with “Sing, Goddess, sing the rage of Achilles,” which is direct and uses straightforward language that modern audiences might find more engaging. In Book 5, Johnston's translation of Athena’s encouragement to Diomedes feels more immediate and conversational with the line, “Diomedes, son of Tydeus, you fill my heart with joy. Don’t fear Ares.” This approach can make the characters' voices feel more alive and relatable. Ultimately, both translations strive to bring the essence of Homer’s epic to life, with Murray focusing on a more literal and classical rendition, and Johnston opting for clarity and contemporary relevance.
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, Goddess, sing the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—
that murderous anger which condemned Achaeans
to countless agonies and threw many warrior souls
deep into Hades, leaving their dead bodies
carrion food for dogs and birds—
all in fulfilment of the will of Zeus.