Halls of the Dark Muse

I'm always interested when D-M writes about her new book acquisitions. I don't have any of those except The Oddyssey of course. Who's the translator of your edition?

Robert Fitzgerald

Oh thanks. I have that one and Fagles's translation as well.

I prefer Fitzgerald over Fagles for one reason or another. I just feel Fagles simplifies the verse for comprehension at the sake of Homer's musical poetry.

I've read excerpts of Lattimore's translation and I like it the most. Definitely not as reader-friendly as the former two, but seems to capture much of the original's sweeping power.

Btw, who else thinks that Milton would've been a better man for the job of translating Homer than Pope was? In my opinion, Milton captured Homer's authority and power more than any other English writer in his own work. Pope was too Mozartian, to use a musical analogy, to deal with Homer who was more of a Wagnerarian lol.

I'm about to get The Odyssey soon. A friend recommended reading it alongside Ulysses in order to assist understanding. I'm going to tackle it in our summer holidays - 4 weeks or so enough do you think?

Originally Posted by DanielBenoit

I prefer Fitzgerald over Fagles for one reason or another. I just feel Fagles simplifies the verse for comprehension at the sake of Homer's musical poetry.

Hmm, I felt the opposite for the same reason. I though Fagles captured Homer's language better. But I prefer Fitzgerald's translation of The Aeneid over Fagles. I think Fiztgerald captures the Latin better. But it's all opinion I guess.

Btw, who else thinks that Milton would've been a better man for the job of translating Homer than Pope was? In my opinion, Milton captured Homer's authority and power more than any other English writer in his own work

Something I've never thought about. I would have to agree!

Originally Posted by Paulclem

I'm about to get The Odyssey soon. A friend recommended reading it alongside Ulysses in order to assist understanding. I'm going to tackle it in our summer holidays - 4 weeks or so enough do you think?

The Odyssey itself is a relatively easy read that you can complete in a short period, by comparison to the Iliad it's much more accessible. Though, I honestly like both of Homer's surviving epics.

Can't speak to the Joyce though, haven't read it.

No Paul, I would read the Odyssey first and then Ulysses. I would not read them side by side for the first time each. You need a working understandingh of The Odyssey to get Ulysses.

My first copy of Ulysses didn't have the Odyssey chapter headings, so (in my Ignorance) I just read the story as a story. It was fine.