Alexander Pope's and Ian Johnston's translations of Homer's *Iliad* provide distinct interpretations of the epic's themes and style. Pope's version, notable for its early 18th-century heroic couplets, emphasizes the rhythmic and formal elegance of the poetry. His language is rich with classical allusions and a certain majestic tone, as evidenced in lines like those from Book 1: "Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring / Of woes unnumbered, heavenly goddess, sing!" This style presents the narrative with grandiosity and formality, appealing to readers drawn to the grandeur and stylistic sophistication of the period's poetic conventions. In contrast, Ian Johnston's translation offers a more modern and straightforward approach. His prose is accessible and direct, aiming to capture the core emotions and actions in clear language, aligning with contemporary literary tastes. For instance, Johnston’s version of the same opening line simply states: "Sing, Goddess, sing the rage of Achilles," which removes some of the ornamental complexity found in Pope's version. Johnston’s choices generally result in text that is more literal and easier for modern audiences to follow, while still retaining the epic’s powerful themes about fate and glory, as shown in his translations of lines about Achilles' choice between life and renown. Both translations convey the epic's dramatic weight and intricate human emotions, each with its unique voice and stylistic elements.
Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring
Of woes unnumbered, heavenly goddess, sing!
That wrath which hurled to Pluto's gloomy reign
The souls of mighty chiefs untimely slain;
Whose limbs, unburied on the naked shore,
Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore.
Since great Achilles and Atrides strove,
Such was the sovereign doom, and such the will of Jove!
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.