Fantastic translation.
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I approached this verse translation with a degree of trepidation due to the every so often daunting nature of epic poetry. The reality, however, of reading the poem (occasionally out loud for dramatic effect), supported, simultaneously, by constant reference to the edition's indispensable glossary and Peter Jone's excellent commentary (Bristol Classical Press, 2005), made the experience an immensely rewarding and highly informative experience. There is so much material in this epic that permeates European culture, past and present, and has become ingrained in numerous works of art (i.e. painting, literature, architecture, opera), that to not read it would be a distinct disadvantage for those interested in over 2500 years of Homer's legacy. Now that I have read this edition I am keen to explore the historical period in which the Homeric phenomenon arose and have another read of Ovid's Roman interpretation (Metamorphoses) of this ancient myth.
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"I long to be homeward bound" Simon and Garfunkle
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The Trojan War is over and one of our hero kings is lost. His son (Telemachus) travels to find any information about his father's fait. His wife (Penelope) must cunningly hold off suitors that are eating them out of house and home.
If he ever makes it home Odysseus will have to detect those servants loyal from those who are not. One absent king against rows of suitors; how will he give them their just deserts? We look to Bright Eyed Pallas Athena to help prophecy come true.
Interestingly all the tales of monsters and gods on the sea voyage was told by Odysseus. Notice that no on else survives to tell the tale. So we have to rely on Odysseus' word.
Many movies took sections of The Odyssey, and expanded them to make interesting stories those selves.
Not just the story but the way in which it is told will keep you up late at night reading.
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Brilliant translation
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People are generally supposed to be either an 'Iliad' person or an 'Odyssey' person and I have to confess that I'm definitely an 'Iliad' rson! Even so, this is THE translation of the Odyssey, whether you're a student or a general reader. Lattimore amazingly maintains the narrative drive of the original with a sense of the majestic sound and rhythm of the language so that you know you're reading an 'epic' - in all senses of the word.
Hailed as a fantasy/romance depicting the Greek's engagement with the outside world that they were coming into contact with through colonisation, or a meditation on what it means to be civilised and urban as opposed to being 'natural' such as the cyclops or Circe, this is still a wonderful story with which anyone can engage.
Where the Iliad is about dissolution, death and the breaking of all human bonds, the Odyssey is about reconciliation, restitution and homecoming. Odysseus (the Roman Ulysses) is a Greek 'everyman' struggling to make it home from Troy to his faithful wife Penelope while facing the challenges (both martial and sexual) of his opponents, and on his journey meets and defeats the sirens, the cyclops, Sylla and Charybdis, Circe, Kalypso and a host of other obstacles.
For me, one of the most fascinating and poignant episodes is where we see Helen back at home in Sparta with her husband Menelaus who has brought her back from Troy - I won't spoil it by giving away what happens, so you'll have to read it for yourself!
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Lattimore delivers a very faithful translation
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When I was at school we studied the Rieu transalation of The Odyssey so when I revisited the epic as part of my university course I was reluctant to switch to the recommended Lattimore version. I eventually overcame my fear of change and am pleased to report that the Lattimore is the most faithful and accurate translation that I have encountered. It also makes a great study aid when refering back to the original ancient greek sources. While Lattimore or Rieu are both suitable for those of us with slight scholarly inclinations - I understand that beginners might be better with a prose translation such as Shewring. I will still keep my Rieu translation on the bookshelf out of fondness!
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The greatest book of all time ?
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This translation of The Odyssey is highly rated by classics scholars. My classics teacher at school rated as the finest following the original Greek virtually line for line with astonishing accuracy into English. Not having quite reached that level in Classical Greek, I cannot comment on that. But I have read several translations of this work (surely one of the greatest books ever written). The poetry flows without ever losing the narrative thread. Those unused to reading poetry will have no problems with this. The notes on place names, gods etc (which a liberally spread inside the text) are clear and helpful. Lattimore's introduction to the text is excellent. Those coming first to the Odyssey wantint a prose translation might try Rieu's excellent one in Penguin Classics. But you hardly need it- translation does not get better than this - nor or that matter does poetry.
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