George Chapman's translations of Homer are among the most famous in the English language. Keats immortalized the work of the Renaissance dramatist and poet in the sonnet "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer." Swinburne praised the translations for their "romantic and sometimes barbaric grandeur," their "freshness, strength, and inextinguishable fire." The great critic George Saintsbury (1845-1933) wrote: "For more than two centuries they were the resort of all who, unable to read Greek, wished to know what Greek was. Chapman is far nearer Homer than any modern translator in any modern language." This volume presents the original text of Chapman's translation of the Odyssey (1614-15), making only a small number of modifications to punctuation and wording where they might confuse the modern reader. The editor, Allardyce Nicoll, provides an introduction, textual notes, a glossary, and a commentary. Garry Wills's preface to the Odyssey explores how Chapman's less strained meter lets him achieve more delicate poetic effects as compared to the Iliad. Wills also examines Chapman's "fine touch" in translating "the warm and human sense of comedy" in the Odyssey.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne;
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold.
--John Keats
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"Chapman's Homer provided for the Iliad and the Odyssey exactly what the King James Bible (also published in 1611) did for the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament in English: it offered a stylistically vigorous and morally powerful translation that has influenced generations of subsequent readers, even as new versions have proliferated."--Jan M. Ziolkowski, Harvard University
"Chapman's versions inspired English poets for centuries after his time. They rest on a minute and perceptive reading of the texts. And they retain their power to fascinate and provoke anyone interested in Homer and his afterlife, in Renaissance ideas about classical and modern poetry, or in the development of the language of English poetry."--Anthony T. Grafton, Princeton University
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition 1.63. Seller Inventory # bk0691048916xvz189zvxnew
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 1.63. Seller Inventory # 353-0691048916-new
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0691048916
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0691048916
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0691048916
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0691048916
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780691048918
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0691048916
Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. Chapman's Homer: The "Odyssey" 1.52. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780691048918
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # WP-9780691048918