Homer, (trans. by Emily Wilson). The Odyssey. New York : W.W. Norton 2018. Print.
Tell me of a complicated man,
Muse, tell me how he wandered and was lost
when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy,
and where he went, and who he met, the pain
he suffered on the sea, and how he worked
to save his life and bring his men back home.
He failed, and for their own mistakes, they died.
Description:
A brilliant opening stanza. It is intimate, friendly, almost conversational, just like "Call me Ishmael" is. It's a summary of what's to come, enticing readers to learn more about the adventures, hardships, mistakes, and death in the coming stanzas. Who could resist telling the Muse to please continue immediately?
Best of all, you might notice that this telling is written as poetry, even employing iambic pentameter (you know, with each line's syllables following the rhythm of da-dum, da-dum, da-dum, the same as in Shakespeare's works). It's the most natural imitation of human speech, quite an accomplishment for Emily Wilson in her translation of The Odyssey by Hoimer.
And boy, is this telling of his adventures a lulu of a read. Many people are familiar with the story of Odysseus wandering around for 20 years trying to get back home to Ithaca after his triumph at Troy. But most may not be aware of the depth and complexities of his story found in this 12,000+ line epic poem.
Starting with the main figure, Odysseus, whom Wilson translates from the ancient Greek as a "complicated" man. He has violently sacked Troy, killed many people, and exists by the grace of Athena, his protecting goddess, who saves his skin in many instances.
He has willingly faced known dangers, endangered his crew, and even allowed them to be killed by the whirlpool to distract the six-headed Scylla who eats one crewman with each head at the same time. He risks Poseidon's anger by blinding the sea god's son, Polyphemus, and then taunts the monster after. And he deliberately kills all the suitors of his wife Penelope who were free-loading for years off his estate. After that slaughter, he immediately kills15 slave girls from his household who had befriended the suitors. All with no remorse whatsoever.
He is clever in extricating himself from tight situations, able to lie to friends and foes alike, assume disguises to trick members of his own household, including his faithful wife, and live for years on his way back home as a virtual sex toy to both Circe and Calypso.
Throughout the poem, the gods play vital roles. On every page, one god or another helps, hinders, ignores, or downright tries to kill Odysseus and his crew. Messages are sent regarding the fate of Odysseus between Zeus and Athena via Hermes, the messenger god. Sacrifices are constantly made of hundreds of oxen, sheep, lambs, and other animals to thank, appease, or ask favors of various major and lesser gods. Whatever event occurs, Odysseus and all other figures reason that the outcome is due to the capriciousness of major and minor gods, or else due to human errors in their sacrifices or for not praising the deities enough. Gods, throughout The Odyssey, are a constant force in even the smallest of incidents.
But the action is tremendously gripping. Bloodshed is everywhere, and Odysseus holds no regrets or second thoughts for the men and beasts he has slain. It is simply part of his world in his mind, necessary actions required in order to return to his home and re-establish his world with his wife and estate.
Wilson, a professor of Classical Studies and also Ancient Greek at the University of Pennsylvania, has created an extremely readable translation of this epic. From the opening stanzas, she brings Homer's (or whoever created The Odyssey) saga to life in language that is both powerful and descriptive, yet never cluttered with jargon or pomposity. One can almost hear someone dramatically reciting this story around a campfire while listeners sit in rapt attention. The words pull you deep into the thoughts, actions, and consequences of each event, both good and bad.
I loved it, truly, and will probably re-read it again soon. While I haven't seen the Christopher Nolan film yet, I know I will find it falling short of the power, depth, and characters of this Wilson translation. But that okay with me. After all, what movie has ever matched the original book source material? I will go to the film with an open mind, but will undoubtably compare the two re-tellings and revert to Wilson's translation as the epitome of the story. Highest recommendation.
[If this book interests you, be sure to check out:]
The most breath-taking, page-turning, mythological quest novel ever (Previously reviewed here.)
Happy reading.
Fred
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