Anthony Verity and W. H. D. Rouse present distinct translations of Homer's "Iliad," each with its own stylistic approaches and emphases. Verity's translation is more direct and formal, using clear language to convey the grandeur and seriousness of the original text. For instance, Verity opens with a commanding invocation to the goddess to recount the tale of Achilles' anger, which highlights the epic's themes of wrath and fate. His style tends to be more literal and closer to the original Greek structure, evident in passages like Athena encouraging Diomedes, where he preserves the formal cadence and epic scope of the original text. His translation often emphasizes the gravity and inevitability of fate, as seen in the passage about the generational cycle of human life compared to leaves. In contrast, W. H. D. Rouse takes a more narrative approach, aiming for a straightforward and accessible retelling of the epic's events. His translation begins by centering the story on the "angry man," immediately drawing the reader into the personal drama of Achilles. Rouse uses modern colloquial expressions to make the ancient text more familiar to contemporary readers, as shown in Athena's encouragement to Diomedes, where expressions like "Mr. Facing-all-ways" present a vivid, lively depiction of Ares. This approach continues in Achilles' reflection on his fate, where Rouse captures the tension between glory and life with a simple, direct explanation. Overall, Rouse's translation often prioritizes narrative engagement and immediacy over strict adherence to the original Greek's structure and grandeur.
SING, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son,
the accursed anger which brought the Achaeans countless
agonies and hurled many mighty shades of heroes into Hades,
causing them to become the prey of dogs and
all kinds of birds; and the plan of Zeus was fulfilled.
Sing from the time the two men were first divided in strife—
Atreus' son, lord of men, and glorious Achilles.
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.