The Anger of Achilles: The Iliad (Penguin Classics)
by Homer
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Robert Graves's dynamic retelling of Homer's powerful epic poem This edition of Homer 's Iliad , retold with authority and grace by the incomparable Robert Graves, takes a revered classic back to its roots as popular entertainment. War is raging between the Greeks and the Trojans. Achilles, the great warrior champion of the Greek army, is angrily sulking in his tent and refusing to fight, after an argument with his leader, Agamemnon. But when the Trojan warrior Hector kills Achilles' beloved show more friend Patroclus, Achilles plunges back into battle to seek his bloody revenge-even though it will bring about his own doom. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. show lessTags
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I do love Graves' translation of the Iliad. He has rendered the work into eminently readable prose, with pieces of poetry where appropriate (although his obsession with rhyming these stanzas makes them a little bit doggerel). His experiences in the first world war give him a unique perspective on leadership which he uses deftly to paint Agamemnon and Hector as deeply flawed generals. These are not good leaders; they are simply the leaders that the men must learn to work with. Other heroes stand up to them, coerce and cajole to get their own way or otherwise benefit the fighting men. Diomedes, Sarpedon, Ajax, and Aeneas are shown as kinder princes, while people like Odysseus and Achilles exemplify that particular kind of self-centred show more 'hero' who barely notices the horrors he causes by his actions (or inactions). If you're put off by verse translations of the Iliad, Graves' delightful prose version is a good option. show less
I do love Graves' translation of the Iliad. He has rendered the work into eminently readable prose, with pieces of poetry where appropriate (although his obsession with rhyming these stanzas makes them a little bit doggerel). His experiences in the first world war give him a unique perspective on leadership which he uses deftly to paint Agamemnon and Hector as deeply flawed generals. These are not good leaders; they are simply the leaders that the men must learn to work with. Other heroes stand up to them, coerce and cajole to get their own way or otherwise benefit the fighting men. Diomedes, Sarpedon, Ajax, and Aeneas are shown as kinder princes, while people like Odysseus and Achilles exemplify that particular kind of self-centred show more 'hero' who barely notices the horrors he causes by his actions (or inactions). If you're put off by verse translations of the Iliad, Graves' delightful prose version is a good option. show less
An extremely clumsy translation by an otherwise capable poet. I cannot critique the scholarship. but the word choice is ugly.
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Homer is the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, the two greatest Greek epic poems. Nothing is known about Homer personally; it is not even known for certain whether there is only one true author of these two works. Homer is thought to have been an Ionian from the 9th or 8th century B.C. While historians argue over the man, his impact on show more literature, history, and philosophy is so significant as to be almost immeasurable. The Iliad relates the tale of the Trojan War, about the war between Greece and Troy, brought about by the kidnapping of the beautiful Greek princess, Helen, by Paris. It tells of the exploits of such legendary figures as Achilles, Ajax, and Odysseus. The Odyssey recounts the subsequent return of the Greek hero Odysseus after the defeat of the Trojans. On his return trip, Odysseus braves such terrors as the Cyclops, a one-eyed monster; the Sirens, beautiful temptresses; and Scylla and Charybdis, a deadly rock and whirlpool. Waiting for him at home is his wife who has remained faithful during his years in the war. Both the Iliad and the Odyssey have had numerous adaptations, including several film versions of each. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Original title
- The anger of Achilles
- Alternate titles
- The Anger of Achilles: The Iliad (Penguin Classics) (Penguin Classics)
- Original publication date
- 1959
- People/Characters
- Achilles
- First words
- Sing, Mountain Goddess, sing through me / That anger which most ruinously / Inflamed Achilles, Peleus' son
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)So ended the funeral rites of Hector the Horse-Tamer.
- Original language
- Ancient Greek
- Disambiguation notice
- This is a rewriting/very free translation of the Iliad by Robert Graves. Please do not combine with other translations of Homer's Iliad
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, Poetry, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 883.01 — Literature & rhetoric Classical & modern Greek literatures Classical Greek epic poetry and fiction Pseudo-Callisthenes
- LCC
- PA4025 .A2 .G7 — Language and Literature Greek language and literature. Latin language and literature Greek literature Individual authors Homer
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 174
- Popularity
- 187,751
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.36)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- ASINs
- 10
