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adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is, of course, a classic—one of the pieces of literature that is most emblematic of that term. And it is so with good reason: Odysseus is an excellent hero, who overcomes so much with determination and human ingenuity, and his story ultimately moves on some of the deepest human bonds we have.
Wilson's translation is quite interesting, and I'm conflicted over whether or not I think it's the best interpretation of this text. While I am not a translation scholar, I do know a thing or two about poetics, and my concerns with this translation are, essentially, how it works as a poem. The idea to do it in iambic pentameter (though why not in alexandrines, I wonder) seemed to me a brilliant idea, and a way to be truthful to the epic poesis of the original.
That said, I think it may have been too restricted, and when the language is stale, this feels especially so. I believe I saw Wilson comment that our perceptions of the 'epicness' of the Odyssey is a fabrication of its translators, that Homer's version would have been written in a language contemporary to his time. While I find this somewhat compelling, I also must believe that Homer had a strong grasp of the poetic craft. There are some moments in this translation that are, unfortunately, ugly or unaesthetic, that do not feel like poetry whatsoever, something especially confusing considering the attention to detail Wilson paid in making the text metrical, a key aspect of traditional, formal poetry. Sometime soon I'm going to read her translation of The Iliar, a text I am less familiar with, and it will be interesting how the two compare. While I have some problems with this translation as a work of poetry, I'm glad that it offers unique aspects to the story in another sense. For those who have read other translations, I think this illuminates something in the text that others' lack (though the same could be said of others in relation to Wilson's).
Wilson's translation is quite interesting, and I'm conflicted over whether or not I think it's the best interpretation of this text. While I am not a translation scholar, I do know a thing or two about poetics, and my concerns with this translation are, essentially, how it works as a poem. The idea to do it in iambic pentameter (though why not in alexandrines, I wonder) seemed to me a brilliant idea, and a way to be truthful to the epic poesis of the original.
That said, I think it may have been too restricted, and when the language is stale, this feels especially so. I believe I saw Wilson comment that our perceptions of the 'epicness' of the Odyssey is a fabrication of its translators, that Homer's version would have been written in a language contemporary to his time. While I find this somewhat compelling, I also must believe that Homer had a strong grasp of the poetic craft. There are some moments in this translation that are, unfortunately, ugly or unaesthetic, that do not feel like poetry whatsoever, something especially confusing considering the attention to detail Wilson paid in making the text metrical, a key aspect of traditional, formal poetry. Sometime soon I'm going to read her translation of The Iliar, a text I am less familiar with, and it will be interesting how the two compare. While I have some problems with this translation as a work of poetry, I'm glad that it offers unique aspects to the story in another sense. For those who have read other translations, I think this illuminates something in the text that others' lack (though the same could be said of others in relation to Wilson's).
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This translation was great.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've always wanted to read this, and I finally had it assigned to me in my second year of college...after I knew the entire plot and flow of the story. I love Greek mythology and culture, so I've seen a handful of documentaries on the Odyssey. I'm not sure if reading it without knowing what was going to happen would improve the story more. It's very possible. I wish I had read the Iliad first. It would clarify some characters and references. I'm sure it was amazing just like this.
Much easier to follow than The Iliad which might be because I know the general story better but I enjoyed it much more! Odysseus is such a wife guy and I love that about him. Also, they are men, and they cry! And I love that.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No