The Odyssey [antikvár]

PREFACE My father E. V. Rieu's translation of the Odyssey was published in 1946, as the first of the Penguin Classics series which he founded with Sir Allen Lane. His vision was to make available »"o the ordinary reader, in good modem English, the great classics of every language. When he retired as general editor of the series he had searched out the scholars and men of letters he wanted as translators and seen through to pubHcation about 160 books. What need is there now for a revision of his Odyssey"? It had many virtues. It had joie de vivre. It did not read like a translation: there was no sign of a tortured struggle with the Greek. There were no echoes of the Authorized Version or other archaisms. It has been enjoyed by millions. But in my opinion it does have failings. One is over-elaboration. Here is an example: 'And when Teiresias spoke, after drinking the dark blood, it was the voice of the authentic seer that I heard.' Splendid stuff, but too rhetorical for Homer. The Greek is simpler: 'And when the illustrious prophet had drunk the dark blood he uttered these words.' Again: I was utterly downcast. I could only explain that two things had combined to bring me to this pass, a rascally crew and a fatal sleep. 'But my friends,' I went on, 'won't you put things right for me; you easily could.' My humble appeal had no effect. The sons held their tongues. Their father answered only to denounce me. 'Begone from this island instantly!' he cried.