Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Homer's Iliad is renowned for its clarity and fidelity to the original text while maintaining the poetic essence of the epic. Fitzgerald employs a straightforward, accessible style that both respects the grandeur of the ancient Greek epic and makes it approachable for modern readers. His translation captures the intensity and emotion of the narrative, from the wrath of Achilles to the philosophical musings on mortality. Compared to other translations, such as those by Fagles or Lattimore, Fitzgerald's version is noted for its vivid imagery and rhythmic cadence, striking a balance between readability and the epic's traditional meter. His work is particularly effective in conveying the dramatic shifts in the story, highlighting the heroism, tragedy, and humanity that are central to the Iliad.
Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the undergloom,
leaving so many dead men—carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.