WrittenTranslation

University of Arkansas. Professor
Daniel B. Levine

Instructions: ILIAD Written Translation Assignment.

 

Our Web Site describes the assignment thus:

Written Translations.

In the second half of the course, students will choose a short passage
from any book of the Iliad, and make two translations of the
passage. The first translation will be literal, taking into account every
point of grammar and syntax. The second translation will be ‘artistic’ or
‘literary’ and need not slavishly relate to the text. This is an opportunity
to be creative, and get the ‘spirit’ of the passage across to the modern
reader.

 

Find a passage (at least ten lines long), and make a literal translation
of it. Type the translation and bring a copy for everyone, or give it to
Dr. Levine a day ahead of time to copy. This translation should take account
of every word, and translate in accordance with good grammar and
syntax of both Greek and English.

Next, make that passage into a ‘creative’ or ‘artistic’ translation which
will represent the passage in a memorable way. Do not just go through your
literal translation and substitute words… Use your imagination and some
poetic flair!

 

Here’s a small example I made up:

 

Iliad 9. 114-124

Literal:

And in turn lord of men Agamemnon addressed him (Nestor):

“Old man, not at all did you recount my blindness falsely;

I was blinded, and I myself do not deny it. Now against many

people is a man whom Zeus loves in his heart,

since now he honored this one, and he broke the army of the Achaians.

But since I was blinded trusting in my baneful heart,

I want to reconcile and to give boundless ransom.

And among all of you I name famous gifts,

seven unfired tripods, and ten talents of gold

and twenty shiny cauldrons, and twelve horses:

in good condition, prize-winners, who took prizes with their feet.

 

Artistic

(sort of in the style of e e cummings):

big king agamenon told old nestor

right you are gramps you hit the nail right on the proverbial head what
was i thinking

of course i was a fool a loser man why didn’t I see it

i really blew it and everybody knows what i’ve done

achilles hates me and has killed lots of us because

he got zeus on his side

man I wish zeus loved me as much as he loves that achilles

be that as it may i want to make things right i still can right

let’s see i can get him to come back to the fighting if I offer him

a bunch of stuff everybody’s got his price

these giant tripods should do the trick they’re beauties

and the pots on them shiny and bright

does he want money

how about ten golden talents

that’s a king’s ransom in itself

and everybody likes horses

here’s a dozen for achilles

i hope they win him prizes

like they did for me

 

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