W. H. D. Rouse and Robert Graves both offer accessible translations of Homer's Iliad, each with its own unique style and interpretative choices. Rouse's translation tends to be straightforward and conversational, which is evident from his phrasing such as "An angry man—There is my story," setting an immediate and direct tone. His focus is on clarity and conveying the essence of the story without elaborate language, as seen in lines like Athena's speech to Diomedes, where she calls Ares a "mad furious creature." Rouse emphasizes the pragmatic aspects of the narrative, presenting the epic in a way that is close to the oral tradition of storytelling. In contrast, Robert Graves provides a more poetic and traditional rendition. He opens with an invocation to the "Mountain Goddess," reminiscent of classical epic verse, adding a lyrical quality to his translation. Graves often uses rhyme and rhythm, such as in his rendering of "All forest leaves are born to die; All mortal men the same," which mirrors the cyclical theme of life and death with a formal structure. His translation tends to be more embellished, offering a reflection on the themes and grandeur of the epic through poetic expression. Both translations have their distinct merits, offering readers varied experiences of the timeless story, with Rouse prioritizing readability and Graves focusing on poetic depth.
An angry man—There is my story: The bitter rancour of Achillês, prince of the house of Peleus, which brought a thousand troubles upon the Achaian host. Many a strong soul it sent down to Hadês, and left the heroes themselves a prey to dogs and carrion birds, while the will of God moved on to fulfilment.
It began first of all with a quarrel between my lord King Agamemnon of Atreus' line and the Prince Achillês.
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.