BONUS Emily Wilson on translating the Odyssey
Summary
Emily Wilson discusses her translation of The Odyssey, explaining her choice of iambic pentameter to capture the poem's speed and dramatic energy. She reveals she is retranslating the work to better handle repetitions and meter, while debating whether translations should remain invisible or highlight their cultural context. The episode also touches on the upcoming Christopher Nolan film and the enduring relevance of Homer’s themes in the modern era.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Emily Wilson and the Odyssey translation
The decision to translate the Odyssey
Critique of previous translations and meter
Challenges of verse form and line constraints
Retranslating the Odyssey and Iliad
The oral tradition and Homeric influence
The nature of translation and cultural context
Handling epithets and repetition in translation
The impossibility of a perfect translation
Christopher Nolan's movie and translation impact
Freshness and stakes in modern translations
Translator's bias and concluding remarks
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