While everyone has their own way of telling a story, a translator’s job is to tell it accurately as well as get the original author’s message across through the use of a different language. One of the work’s to which many people are familiar with is the Odyssey, written by Homer, and translated by many. But focusing on two specific translations, Robert Fitzgerald’s and Stanley Lombardo's there are many differences, as well as similarities, between the two.
By having read each translation, the most obvious difference to me between the two, is the ease to which I was able to understand Fitzgerald’s translation. I struggled more with Lombardo, with the way he translated his book, because of the detail used, while Fitzgerald seemed to include
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From Fitzgerald’s translation, I got the tone to be one of obscurity. With his poetic style, his translation read like that of a script, not a mere description. The tone I picked up on with Lombardo was one of straightforwardness. Rather than try to conceal his meanings behind grandiose phrases, he told his simply in the form of a story, only trying to get the events across to the reader. “Speak, Immortal One, and tell the tale once more in our time. By now, all the others who had fought at Troy— At least those who had survived the war and the sea— were safely back home. Only Odysseus Still longed to return to his home and his wife. The nymph Calypso, a powerful goddess— and beautiful—was clinging to him In her caverns and yearned to possess him. The seasons rolled by, and the year came In which the gods spun the thread For Odysseus to return home to Ithaca, Though not even there did his troubles end, Even with his dear ones around him. All the gods pitied him, except Poseidon, Who stormed against the godlike hero until he finally reached his own native land.”(Lombardo, Lines 11-27). Knowing full well what the story was, and what it meant, Lombardo, by giving us this brief but informative intro, gives us some insight into the culture of the Greeks, and the challenges faced by heroes in their lore. Annette Giesecke author of “Mapping Utopia” also caught this, as she mentions how this story by Homer, “gave …show more content…
By including the detail that Athena “begged” her father to help Odysseus, Fitzgerald seemed to make her out as someone who was more submissive to her father, Zeus. Lombardo, on the other hand, painted her to be the exact opposite, with enough strong will to challenge Zeus verbally, quarreling with him about Odysseus’s journey, all the while “glaring” at him. Telemachus, while facing the same task of speaking to the suitors with both translators, in the end each has a different outcome. In Fitzgerald’s account, he goes off by starting with Telemachus being surrounded by a godly glow, but soon the reader sees the weakness hidden in Telemachus, just as the suitors pick up on that as well. Gathering their courage, they in the end, propose that he comes to a decision about handing his mother’s hand in marriage over to one of them. However, in Lombardo’s, he makes the reader feel as if Telemachus is much stronger, because he not only set boundaries on the suitors, but for each retort by them, he has a sharp comeback. These two observations of the characters allow us to see the feelings that each translator feels towards the epic. With their different views towards the construction of the characters and with the help set by their separate tones, this is yet another example by which their retellings differ. With this, Robert Bagg makes a valid point with his analysis of
Jones, P.V. Homer's Odyssey: A Companion to the Translation of Richard Lattimore. Bedminster: Bristol Classic Press, 1988.
Given these points, Athena (as Mentor) acts as a mentor and advisor for Telemachus. She is able to greatly increase his confidence, prepare him for his journey to find his father, and make him feel worthy of being his father’s son. In real life, many people have experience with a relationship similar to this, someone who gives them advice and is a positive, guiding influence in their life. This relationship is critical to Telemachus and his growth from an immature child to a man, and also proves to be an important relationship to have in one’s own
The Odyssey is a tale that has changed literature and storytelling. In this tale Odysseus is a Soldier from the battle of Troy trying to get home to his island of Ithaca, where he is king. His wife and son must wait ten years while he is trying to make his way home. In Odysseus’s absence wooer’s, or better known as suitors, learn of his absence and travel to Ithaca to win his wife’s hand in marriage. These men come every day feasting on Odysseus’s food and wine, and give his servant’s orders. His son Telemachus, does his best to keep the suitors from ruining his fathers house but he is only a boy, and doesn’t receive the respect of an adult. Telemachus then has a visit from the god Athena, whom Odysseus is friends with, who advises him to travel to find out about his father. In his travels he hears that Odysseus may still be alive. Meanwhile Odysseus goes through a series of adventures and hardships that prove his wisdom. It is interesting in contrast of the Iliad, even though Achilles was much stronger and a better warrior, Odysseus was portrayed as a greater hero due to his wisdom. He uses this wisdom to escape from the Cyclops.
Hexter, Ralph. A Guide to The Odyssey: A Commentary on the English Translation of Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Random House, 1993.
She later sparks a flame inside of Telemachus to embark on his journey to find his father. At the first destination Telemachus arrives at, Athena appears once again in the court of King Nestor. She appears in the form of an eagle to represent that she is beside Telemachus in his righteous journey to find his father. When hearing of her son’s departure, Penelope becomes extremely distraught. In an attempt to reassure and comfort her, Athena appears as a “glimmering phantom” and says these comforting words, “Take heart, and don’t be so afraid. The guide who goes with him is one many men pray for to stand at their side, a powerful ally- Pallas Athena. And she pities you in your grief, for it is she who sent me to tell you this” (Homer 342). There are many motivators for Athena in The Odyssey. Some could argue she relates with Penelope, and provides protection for her household throughout the years. Others may say she is enamored with Odysseus because of their relating character traits. Athena basically takes on the motherly role of watching over both Telemachus and Odysseus. She monitors both of the men’s journeys, and allows them to go through tribulations in order to grow emotionally and spiritually. Brian Lower a literature professor from Union College wrote,” Athena allows Odysseus to experience the storm, but not die. She knows that it will make him stronger for it. There is an
Odysseus’ son; Penelope, Odysseus’ wife; and the suitors, prominent young men of Ithaca who attempt to marry Penelope. Telemakhos is the first of these characters to be introduced. In lines 1-14 of book II he is introduced as a prominent young man as he enters the assembly “spear in hand, with two quick hounds at heel; Athena lavished on him a sunlit grace that held the eye of the multitude. Old men made way for him as he took his father’s chair.” Despite Telemakhos’ prominent figure in the opening lines of this book, it soon becomes obvious that he is not an extremely powerful figure. Telemakhos intends to expel the suitors from his home but he is not strong enough to fight them. It is important that the reader meets Telemakhos in the beginning because he is the main character in the Ithaca plot and also he must overcome obstacles at home foreshadowing the obstacles his father faces later in the epic.
Homer. ?The Odyssey,? World Masterpieces: Expanded Edition. Maynard Mack ed. Ed. Coptic St.: Prentice, 1995.
Also the world only in Fitzgerald's says that their we're other things to fight for. I think the word struggled has negative connotation with it while fought gives a more positive feeling by making it seem like something was accomplished. Fitzgerald gives Odysseus a strong and tough appearance by using the word fought and Lombardo gives Odysseus more of a weak personality by using the word struggled. Next, Fitzgerald describes the journey of Odysseus and his men by saying “But not by will nor valor could he save them”. Fitzgerald describes the the leader Odysseus by saying “But could not save them hard as the tried.” Both lines Explicitly say Odysseus could not save his men. I feel like when Fitzgerald uses the word valor it implies that Odysseus faced great danger in his battle and lost his men with courage and dignity as the tried his best. When Lombardo uses “hard as he tried” I feel like their still be regret left and the could've tried harder to save his men in the end. Through this text Fitzgerald makes Odysseus seem like a brave man who was selfless and gave everything for his
The reader first finds the character of Telemachus sitting among the suitors in his father’s palace. This seemingly unimportant detail yields information regarding his temperament. The suitors, whom Homer portrays as malicious usurpers, continue to take advantage of Telemachus’ hospitality. Instead of defending his home, his mother, and his belongings from these men, Telemachus numbers among them. This lack of assertiveness displays his frailty and his helplessness given the overwhelming circumstances. At this point, Athena, disguised as Odysseus’ old friend Mentes, visits Telemachus in order to “inspire his heart with courage” (I.105). The two share a meal and engage in a lengthy conversation. The goddess discusses how Telemachus should handle the troublesome suitors and suggests a journey to try to ascertain the whereabouts of Odysseus. The conversation appears to immediately galvanize the young man’s resolve. In fact, immediately after her departure, he summons the courage to confront the suitors, demanding that they are to leave his house at once. The assertiveness that Telemachus displays in this instance is a dramatic departure from ...
Homer. The Odyssey: Fitzgerald Translation. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998. Print.
...lts of the insolent suitors in his own home. The anger of Odysseus is only matched by Telemachus whose restraint is forcefully elevated in order to hamper his new mature instinct of defending his father. Meanwhile, Odysseus is forced to couple this with control over holding his love, Penelope, in his arms. Yet, both characters are able to avoid the impediments and at last battle side by side against their foes.
“The Odyssey” is an epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus and the story of his many travels and adventures. The Odyssey tells the main character’s tale of his journey home to the island of Ithaca after spending ten years fighting in the Trojan War, and his adventures when he returns home and he is reunited with his family and close friends. This literary analysis will examine the story and its characters, relationships, major events, symbols and motifs, and literary devices.
Brains over brawn, who will win this battle?Homer's tale of Odysseus' adventures in “The Odyssey” show that being intelligent and cunning can be far better than having physical strength. Being physically strong certainly has its advantages, but not in all circumstances. Strength in intelligence shows new meaning of strength. Odysseus is amused with himself when he defeats Polyphemus. His great skills with a bow outweigh the others abilities. Knowledge of the placement of his bed win his beloveds heart.
middle of paper ... ... In Homer’s Odyssey, both Odysseus and his son Telemachus embark on long, difficult journeys; Odysseus trying to return from Troy to his home in Ithaca, escaping Calypso and the island of Ogygia, and Telemachus from Ithaca to Pylos and Sparta in search of his lost father. While The Odyssey tells of the courage both men demonstrate during their respective travels, their quests are the results of the intentions and desires of gods. Odysseus is trapped in exile on Ogygia by the will of Poseidon, whose anger Odysseus attracts when he blinds the Cyclops Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, and by the love of Calypso, who wishes to make Odysseus her husband.
Homer’s epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, are similar in many ways as well as different. The gods of Mount Olympus play a big role in each of the stories; but that does not necessarily mean the same role. The attitudes betrayed from the gods seem as if they are nearly polar opposites from the Iliad to the Odyssey. Yes, there are some similarities shown from the gods rather than just their name but there are very few. The structure as well as the theme of the two poems shows a few similarities and many differences, also.