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geofrog 's review for:
The Odyssey
by Homer
The following is a review for the Emily Wilson translation of The Odyssey:
I was taught The Odyssey briefly in school, and I’ve seen adaptations and references in media throughout the years, but I knew I always wanted to read it for myself once I was old enough to appreciate it. I saw all the discourse on social media regarding Emily Wilson’s translation of this epic tale, and while I did do my research on different translations, I do believe that after reading this that this version of The Odyssey is perfect for high school teachers or first time readers. I do think that I prefer the prose of Robert Fagles’ translation, but Emily Wilson’s is not as bad as some would have you believe. The Odyssey is a classic for a reason. The Odyssey is rich with themes that resonate deeply, like the longing for home and the bonds of family. Key ideas include hospitality, loyalty, identity, and the balance between fate and free will, all woven into Odysseus's epic journey. I think that modern boys and men might not resonate with the lessons in this story, but I know that men throughout the ages have coveted this story and its messages, which explains this story’s longevity in popular culture and literary spaces. I liked that Odysseus is a complicated protagonist. He’s bold and cunning, but also brash and sometimes stupid. He gets a lot of people killed, and makes a lot of mistakes. And yet, we relate to his yearning for his home and family, and we cheer when he gets his happy ending. I think a lot of people can relate to Odysseus’s journey, as we can all see a part of ourselves in him. There’s a reason so many English teachers use this story as an example for The Hero’s Journey. There are many iconic moments in this story, but the one that sticks out to me is when Odysseus returns home and comes across his loyal dog Argos. Because he’s in disguise, Odysseus cannot pet him, and Argos watches him as his old master passes him by. Old and neglected, Argos dies. While many aspects of this story are standouts and culturally significant, Argos’ small part somehow stood out to me the most. I liked the ideas explored in this story, and it is clear why this is such a timeless tale passed down through the generations. As for Emily Wilson’s translation, I did find the language simple and modern, and I understand why people say this is the translation best used in schools. I do think that I need to read other translations in order to determine which version is my favourite, but I did have a good time with this.
I was taught The Odyssey briefly in school, and I’ve seen adaptations and references in media throughout the years, but I knew I always wanted to read it for myself once I was old enough to appreciate it. I saw all the discourse on social media regarding Emily Wilson’s translation of this epic tale, and while I did do my research on different translations, I do believe that after reading this that this version of The Odyssey is perfect for high school teachers or first time readers. I do think that I prefer the prose of Robert Fagles’ translation, but Emily Wilson’s is not as bad as some would have you believe. The Odyssey is a classic for a reason. The Odyssey is rich with themes that resonate deeply, like the longing for home and the bonds of family. Key ideas include hospitality, loyalty, identity, and the balance between fate and free will, all woven into Odysseus's epic journey. I think that modern boys and men might not resonate with the lessons in this story, but I know that men throughout the ages have coveted this story and its messages, which explains this story’s longevity in popular culture and literary spaces. I liked that Odysseus is a complicated protagonist. He’s bold and cunning, but also brash and sometimes stupid. He gets a lot of people killed, and makes a lot of mistakes. And yet, we relate to his yearning for his home and family, and we cheer when he gets his happy ending. I think a lot of people can relate to Odysseus’s journey, as we can all see a part of ourselves in him. There’s a reason so many English teachers use this story as an example for The Hero’s Journey. There are many iconic moments in this story, but the one that sticks out to me is when Odysseus returns home and comes across his loyal dog Argos. Because he’s in disguise, Odysseus cannot pet him, and Argos watches him as his old master passes him by. Old and neglected, Argos dies. While many aspects of this story are standouts and culturally significant, Argos’ small part somehow stood out to me the most. I liked the ideas explored in this story, and it is clear why this is such a timeless tale passed down through the generations. As for Emily Wilson’s translation, I did find the language simple and modern, and I understand why people say this is the translation best used in schools. I do think that I need to read other translations in order to determine which version is my favourite, but I did have a good time with this.