Robert Fitzgerald vs A. T. Murray Iliad Translation Comparison

Years: 1974 and 1924

Fitzgerald's translation of the Iliad portrays a poetic and lyrical rendition of the epic, while Murray's translation captures a more raw and visceral depiction, known for its close adherence to the original Greek text.

Passage comparison

Robert Fitzgerald

Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the undergloom,
leaving so many dead men—carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.

A. T. Murray

The wrath sing, goddess, of Peleus' son, Achilles, that destructive wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeans, and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of heroes, and made them themselves spoil for dogs and every bird; thus the plan of Zeus came to fulfillment, from the time when first they parted in strife Atreus' son, king of men, and brilliant Achilles.

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