N.B. This site is an ARCHIVE ONLY. For more information about ISS and The Spenser Review, please see the new web site at https://spenserreview.org/

Emily Wilson, trans., Homer: The Odyssey
by Deborah H. Roberts

The opening lines of Homer’s Odyssey introduce us to the hero and his story and conclude with a request to the Muse: τῶν ἁμόθεν γε, θεά, θύγατερ Διός, εἰπὲ καὶ ἡμῖν (1.10: ‘From some point in this, goddess, daughter of Zeus, speak to us too’.)  The words ‘us too’ seem to convey the poet-narrator’s request to be allowed a turn at retelling, or to tell the story for yet another audience, but in two of the most distinguished and widely read recent translations (as also in Robert Fitzgerald’s 1961 version) we find a rendering that marks poet and audience as belonging to a new historical moment and thus evokes not only the epic’s ancient audiences but the translator’s own: ‘Sing for our time too’ (Robert Fagles 1996); ‘And tell the tale once more in our time’ (Stanley Lombardo 2000). Read more…

Comments

  • Mesa Mobile Truck Repair Co. 1 year, 2 months ago

    The Society currently has 550 members (an increase of over 100 on last year), and a balance of $19,217.

    Link / Reply
  • Bryan Mobile Truck Repair Company 1 year, 2 months ago

    Whether it’s an engine inspection, general maintenance, or clutch/brake repair, we have a wide array of services to offer.

    Link / Reply
  • New York City Truck Repair 1 year, 2 months ago

    If you need mobile truck repair services, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

    Link / Reply
  • Sandy Rose 8 months, 1 week ago

    I chose movie reivew writing service <a href="https://essayservice.com/movie-review-writing-service">https://essayservice.com/movie-review-writing-service</a> and was pleasantly surprised with the result. The work was done professionally and on time. The authors of the service demonstrated a deep understanding of the film and presented interesting analytical conclusions. Recommended!

    Link / Reply
  • Concord's Mobile Mechanic 6 days, 8 hours ago

    The words ‘us too’ seem to convey the poet-narrator’s request to be allowed a turn at retelling, or to tell the story for yet another audience.

    Link / Reply

You must log in to comment.

Cite as:

Deborah H. Roberts, "Emily Wilson, trans., Homer: The Odyssey," Spenser Review (Winter 2020). Accessed March 3rd, 2025.