The great war epic of Western literature, translated by acclaimed classicist Robert Fagles. Dating to the ninth century B.C., Homer’s timeless poem still vividly conveys the horror and heroism of men and gods wrestling with towering emotions and battling amidst devastation and destruction, as it moves inexorably to the wrenching, tragic conclusion of the Trojan War.
Like the generations of leaves, the lives of mortal men. Now the wind scatters the old leaves across the earth, now the living timber bursts with the new buds and spring comes round again. And so with men: as one generation comes to life, another dies away.
The Weight of Verse: A Look at Robert Fagles’ Translation of The Iliad
Robert Fagles’ translation of Homer’s Iliad is undeniably influential. Since its publication in 1990, it has become a standard text in classrooms and a popular choice for readers seeking an accessible entry point into the epic poem of the Trojan War. Yet, while lauded for its readability and vibrant language, Fagles’ Iliad isn’t without its critics. Examining its strengths and weaknesses reveals a translation that, while engaging, occasionally sacrifices Homeric nuance for modern appeal.
One of Fagles’ greatest achievements is his ability to capture the raw energy and visceral brutality of the Iliad. He avoids a stilted, overly academic tone, opting instead for a language that is direct and immediate. The battles are bloody and chaotic, the heroes driven by a primal rage that leaps off the page. This immediacy is largely achieved through his use of contemporary idiom and a conversational rhythm, making the epic feel surprisingly relevant to a modern audience. Phrases like “heart-stopping courage” and descriptions of warriors “slashing and hacking” contribute to a tangible sense of violence often lost in more literal translations.
However, this commitment to contemporary language also presents a potential problem. Some argue that Fagles’ translation often modernizes the characters and their motivations, potentially obscuring the cultural context of ancient Greece. For example, the complex system of honor and kleos (glory) that drives the Achaean warriors is sometimes simplified into a more generalized desire for respect or recognition. While this makes the characters more relatable, it also risks flattening the intricate moral landscape of the poem. Achilles’ famous rage, for instance, can feel less a product of a deeply ingrained warrior ethos and more like a fit of modern petulance.
Furthermore, Fagles’ use of colloquialisms and occasionally anachronistic phrases can jar the reader, disrupting the immersion in the archaic world he seeks to create. While his intention is undoubtedly to make the Iliad accessible, these modernizations can feel out of place within the epic’s grand scope and historical setting. One might argue that a more faithful translation, albeit potentially less immediately accessible, would ultimately offer a deeper understanding of the poem’s historical and cultural significance.
Another point of contention lies in Fagles’ treatment of Homer’s epithets, the recurring descriptive phrases used to characterize the heroes and gods. While he retains many of them, he often varies them, opting for different phrasing each time a character is mentioned. This decision, likely driven by a desire to avoid monotony, can diminish the poetic effect of the original Greek. The consistent repetition of epithets like “swift-footed Achilles” or “Hector, breaker of horses” serves not just as a mnemonic device, but also as a powerful tool for characterization, reinforcing their key attributes and contributing to the overall musicality of the epic.
Despite these criticisms, Fagles’ Iliad remains a valuable contribution to Homeric scholarship. Its readability and accessibility have undoubtedly introduced a new generation of readers to the power and beauty of the epic. While it may not be a perfect translation – arguably, no translation ever truly is – it succeeds in conveying the raw emotion and dramatic intensity of the Iliad in a way that is both engaging and memorable. Ultimately, Fagles’ Iliad serves as a testament to the enduring power of Homer’s story and the ongoing challenge of bringing it to life for new audiences. By understanding both its strengths and weaknesses, readers can engage with this translation critically and appreciate its unique place within the long and fascinating history of Homeric interpretation.