He was the recipient of the 1997 penralph manheim medal for translation and a 1996 award in literature from the american academy of arts and letters. The aeneid from the awardwinning translator of the iliad and the odyssey comes a brilliant new translation of virgils great epicwith his translations of homers classic poems, robert fagles gave new life to seminal works of the western canon and became one of the preeminent translators of our time. September 11, 1933 march 26, 2008 was an american professor, poet, and academic, best known for his many translations of ancient greek and roman classics, especially his acclaimed translations of the epic poems of homer. An unsparing portrait of a man caught between love, duty, and fate, the aeneid redefines passion, nobility, and courage for our times. Robert fagles translation of the aeneid is a worthy successor to his excellent translations of the iliad and the odyssey. Robert fagles and i met several times in his office at princeton, where he is arthur w. For this attention to detail and structure, plus the way his spare english and beats reflect the chants of thirty centuries ago, hed be my first choice. He planned to spend three years editing it, but fell ill returning from a trip to greece.
Bernard knox a new edition of virgils epic work is presented in modern language and endeavors to retain the original works humanity, as well as its influential blend of poetry and verse. T homas jeffersons assertion that every generation needs a new revolution has long been adopted by translators. Fagles s translations are known for their emphasis on contemporary english phrasing while being faithful to the original. While other translators told the aeneid in the past tense, fagles used the present, believing that the story demanded. Nov 02, 2006 robert fagles, whose acclaimed translations of homers iliad and odyssey were welcomed as major publishing events, brings the aeneid to a new generation of readers, retaining all of the gravitas and humanity of the original latin as well as its powerful blend of poetry and myth. Despite the passage of centuries, aeneas remains a compelling protagonist, noble. Virgil 70 bc 19 bc, translated by john william mackail 1859 1925 the aeneid is the most famous latin epic poem, written by virgil in the 1st century bc.
From the awardwinning translator of the iliad and the odyssey comes a brilliant new translation of virgils great epic. With this stunning modern verse translation, fagles introduces virgils aeneid to a whole new generation of readers and completes the classic triptych at the heart of western civilisation. I was looking for robert fagles translation and when i purchased the kindle. His translations of the iliad and the odyssey were both bestsellers. The aeneid by virgil translated by robert fagles brilliant. Im participating in a book of the month sort of thing on another forum and i nominated the aeneid. Now, he has tackled the roman epic, virgils aeneid.
But there is another, more serious set of obstacles. Featuring an illuminating introduction to virgils world by. Robert fagles, whose acclaimed translations of homers iliad and odyssey, brings the aeneid to a new generation of readers, retaining all of the gravitas and humanity of the original latin as well as its powerful blend of poetry and myth. The aeneid, book iv, so, you traitor by virgil poems. Is the aeneid we are reading the same one that virgil. Written by virgil introduction by bernard knox translated by robert fagles.
Augustus intervened, however, arranging for the poem to be published against. The publication of a new translation by fagles is a literary event. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Robert fagles, with a copy of his translation of virgils the aeneid. A suggested list of literary criticism on virgils the aeneid. Robert fagles, the poems newest translator, comes to the fray well armed. Robert fagles robert fagles and i met several times in his office at princeton, where he is arthur w. An emeritus professor of comparative literature at princeton, he has already translated, with great success, homers. The aeneid is an epic poem by virgil that was first published around 19bc. Robert fagles new translation of the aeneid is a fluid, lyrical rendering of the epic. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. Robert fagles, whose acclaimed translations of homers iliad and odyssey were welcomed as major publishing events, brings the aeneid to a new generation of readers, retaining all of the gravitas and humanity of the original latin as well as its powerful blend of poetry and myth. He attended amherst college, graduating in 1955 with a bachelor of arts degree. Whitehaired, tall and spare, he moves with the air of preparedness, flexibility and covert attentiveness of someone who, i correctly guess, has played a lot of tennis.
Fagles, the arthur marks 19 professor of comparative literature emeritus at princeton university, was widely acclaimed for his popular translations of homers the iliad and the odyssey, both of which became bestsellers. Robert fagles, celebrated translator of ancient epics. Jul 05, 2012 robert fagles s awardwinning translations of homers twin works the iliad and the odyssey have sold more than a million copies and become classics in their own right. Apparently though he takes a few liberties with his translation. The aeneid title the aeneid statement of responsibility virgil. Dec 17, 2006 robert fagles, the poems newest translator, comes to the fray well armed.
Robert fagles, the poems newest translator, comes to the fray well. Apr 12, 2009 homers odyssey, translated by robert fagles 1999. And his publisher for the aeneid, viking, has accoutered him handsomely, with a clear map. Name instructor class 25 june 2012 furor in the aeneid furor is characterized as a general outbreak of anger and wild emotions. Robert fitzgeralds elegant rendition of the aeneid, the standard text, has. One of the worlds leading classicists, whose versions of the iliad and the odyssey have sold more than a million copies, fagles brings a contemporary vigor to virgils lines. Buffy the vampire slayer, created by joss whedon, performance by sarah michelle gellar, season 4, episode 10, mutant enemy, 1999. Virgil, virgil and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. First printing thus of this fagles translation of the noted epic, near fine black cloth hardcover shows some mild shelf and trace wear, else tight and clean, in a near fine dust jacket price at flap that shows a few runs spots at edges.
Fortunately, before his recent death, fagles also translated virgils aeneid. Retaining all of the gravitas and humanity of the original, this powerful blend of. Praise for robert fagless translation of the odyssey. In part, because we no longer learn latin and so do not seek out its writers, however famous and central to our culture they were once thought to be. Virgil, translated by robert fagles with notes and introduction by bernard knox. Mar 28, 2008 robert fagles, renowned translator of greek classics, died march 26 in princeton of prostate cancer. I have the most recent one, by robert fagles, on audio disc. The aeneid audiobook written by virgil, robert fagles. Robert fagles s latest achievement completes the magnificent triptych of western epics. I wasnt very familiar with the aeneid, but this translation brings it alive.
Mar 29, 2008 robert fagles was born in philadelphia on sept. All other english translations vary in language and line numbering. See a complete list of the characters in the aeneid and indepth analyses of aeneas, dido, and turnus. I heard someone discuss robert fagles version of the aeneid somewhere most likely on a podcast.
If the aeneid was a film, it would be something high octane, probably directed by. Ben garceau is a scholar of medieval literature with particular interests in early britain, translation, and critical theory. Virgils aeneid, translated by robert fitzgerald 1981. Jun 19, 2011 the aeneid by virgil translated by robert fagles perhaps the most affecting portion of virgils great masterwork on the founding of rome is its namesakes visit to the underworld, which comes at the midpoint of the story. Nov 02, 2006 an unsparing portrait of a man caught between love, duty, and fate, the aeneid redefines passion, nobility, and courage for our times. He seemed to have the monopoly on new translations for penguin classics for some years, but i was not. I dont recall what podcast or who discussed it, but it intrigued me enough to add it to this years list. I also want to be engaging with these ancient works on a yearly basis. A sweeping story of arms and heroism, the aeneid follows the adventures of aeneas, who flees the ashes of troy to embark upon a tortuous course that brings him to italy and fulfills his destiny as founder of the roman people. Featuring an illuminating introduction to virgils world by esteemed scholar bernard knox, this volume lends a vibrant new voice to one of the seminal literary achievements of the ancient world. Robert fagless translations of both the iliad and odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and become the standard translations of our era. Both works attributed to homerthe iliad and the odysseyare over ten thousand lines long in the original.
An emeritus professor of comparative literature at princeton, he has already translated, with great success, homers iliad and odyssey. Sing to me of the man, muse, the man of twists and turns driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of troy. From the awardwinning translator of the iliad and the odyssey comes a brilliant new translation of virgils great epic fleeing the ashes. I havent encountered the fitzgerald version but i have to say that i find fagles translations are often far removed from the original language. His translations of both the iliad and odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and have become the standard translations of our era. In robert fagles s new english translation of the aeneid, virgils ancient war horse emerges as a work of surpassing beauty, feeling and even relevance.
Most of what i could say about these three works has been said many, many times. Our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a matter of giving an example of the work to be done. Homer and other bards of the time could recite, or chant, long epic poems. Fagles translation is superb, and for anyone new to aeneid, youre in for a serious treat. I listened to the very beginning and thought it was excellent.
Professor fagles had taught at princeton university. Robert fagles s awardwinning translations of homers twin works the iliad and the odyssey have sold more than a million copies and become classics in their own right. The aeneid by virgil and robert fagles penguin random house. I believe that of the ones published, each befits a different reader. Jan 01, 20 translated by robert fagles, viking, 1996. The aeneid from the awardwinning translator of the iliad and the odyssey comes a brilliant new translation of virgils great epic with his translations of homers classic poems, robert fagles gave new life to seminal works of the western canon and became one of the preeminent translators of our time. Homer was the first greek writer whose work survives. The aeneid is a latin epic written by virgil in the 1st century bc that tells the legendary story of aeneas, a trojan who traveled to italy, where he became the ancestor of the romans.
Muchlauded new translation of the the aeneid by fagles. I dont know enough latin to be an independent judge of the translation, but experts attest that this is a great translation into modern english. Marks 19 professor of comparative literature, emeritus, at princeton university. Now, with this stunning modern verse translation, fagles has reintroduced virgils aeneid to a whole new generation, and completed the classical triptych at the heart of western. He was one of a long line of bards, or poets, who worked in the. Buy the aeneid by virgil, robert fagles from waterstones today.
Best is a difficult title to bestow, especially for something as subjective as a modern translation of a text from antiquity. Robert fagles s translations of both the iliad and odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and become the standard translations of our era. Robert fagles national endowment for the humanities neh. All pictures are from wikimedia commons, unless otherwise annotated. Homer, translated by robert fagles, introduction and notes by bernard knox published by viking press penguin group usa, new york, london, victoria, auckland 1996 isbn 10. The aeneid, book i, a grove stood in the city a grove stood in the city, rich in shade, where stormtost tyrians, past the perilous brine, dug from the ground, by royal junos aid, a warsteeds head, to faroff days a sign that wealth and prowess should adorn the line. Fagles was born in philadelphia, pennsylvania, the son of charles fagles, a lawyer, and vera voynow fagles, an architect. Sep 29, 2016 before reading the aeneid, i believe a lecture by professor zissos had reserved a specific slide that discussed the importance of the accuracy of the text that was translated by robert fagles. This post mentions since each copy was made by hand, it is easy to see how scribal mistakes, misreadings, and other variations could grow and become. Robert fagles, whose acclaimed translations of homers iliad and odyssey were welcomed as major publishing events, brings the aeneid to a new generation of readers, retaining all of the gravitas and humanity. Now, his stunning modern verse translation of virgils aeneid is poised to do the same. What is the best translation of virgils aeneid into. Apr 01, 2010 buy the aeneid penguin classics deluxe edition reprint by virgil, fagles, robert isbn. Homer, translated by robert fagles, introduction and notes by bernard knox published by viking press penguin group usa, new york, london, victoria, auckland 1996 isbn.
Mar 26, 2008 fagles was born in philadelphia, pennsylvania, the son of charles fagles, a lawyer, and vera voynow fagles, an architect. Fagles found the success of these works unexpected. Marks 19 professor of comparative literature, to discuss our forthcoming interview at the unterberg poetry center of the 92nd street y. And in the aeneid, virgils poem about the origins of rome, though his hero, aeneas, and the trojan invaders of italy are to build the city from which rome will eventually be founded, there is a constant and vibrant undertone of sympathy for and identification with the italians, which becomes a major. The aeneid audiobook by robert fitzgerald translator.