The recent announcement of Christopher Nolan’s movie adaptation of The Odyssey has sparked new interest in the original text, an epic poem by Homer compiled into 24 “books” with 12,109 lines. Translator Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation has made the poem more accessible to readers, rejecting the assumption that Homeric epic must be rendered in grand, ornate English. Wilson’s introduction promises a readable translation, and her work has been praised for its ability to make the original language accessible to modern readers.
The Translation
Wilson’s translation has been widely acclaimed for its ability to convey the original meaning and tone of Homer’s poem. As an example, an excerpt from Book 5, “From the Goddess to the Storm,” shows the goddess-queen Calypso speaking to Odysseus, played by Matt Damon in Nolan’s film. The excerpt showcases Wilson’s ability to make the ancient text readable and engaging for modern audiences.
The goddess-queen began. “Odysseus, son of Laertes, blessed by Zeus-your plans are always changing. Do you really want to go back to that home you love so much? Well then, good-bye! But if you understood how glutted you will be with suffering before you reach your home, you would stay here with me and be immortal-though you might still wish to see that wife you always pine for. And anyway, I know my body is better than hers is. I am taller too. Mortals can never rival the immortals in beauty.”
The Culture War
Wilson’s work has been back in the spotlight due to the movie’s pending release and the culture war that may be erupting around it. In an interview with Vulture, Wilson explains that she finds the controversy “quite baffling” and attributes it to people who “perform anger” about the poem on the internet. She believes that the controversy stems from a desire to protect a traditional notion of greatness and masculinity, and that her translation challenges that interpretation.
Despite the controversy, Wilson’s translation remains a powerful and relatable work that showcases the timelessness of The Odyssey. The story has been proven to be both constantly up for interpretation by the era in question and infinitely relatable, as all tales about human struggle can be. The medium matters, of course, as books and movies both carry a different sort of influence; you lose the flow of the language with cinema, but gain the opportunity to see Charlize Theron glory in being a true bad bitch.
The Timeless Story
Wilson’s version of The Odyssey is both a time capsule of long-dead traditions and a reminder that throughout history, people are people, consumed by the same aching woes and petty jealousies and potential for joy. The book is available now via Amazon, and readers can get a taste of how the old and the new come together before Christopher Nolan’s version hits theaters on July 17th.
In conclusion, Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey is a remarkable work that has made the ancient poem accessible to modern readers. Despite the controversy surrounding the movie adaptation, the story remains a powerful and relatable work that showcases the timelessness of human struggle. With its release, readers can experience the epic poem in a new and engaging way, and appreciate the enduring power of The Odyssey.
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