Bible 2

Bible & Iliad Translation Differences Essay, Research Paper

Translations often led to misinterpretations, allowing the translator to impose his own view of the text into the original. This leads to controversy in almost every rendition of ancient works. Any translator can read into and almost rewrite the original work with what they deem true by extracting and emphasizing certain terms. The author of the THE HIDDEN BOOK OF THE BIBLE wrote his version almost like an outline, leaving out certain, sometimes important details. The writer.s approach to THE OXFORD STUDY EDITION. stays closer to the original format rather then neglecting it. Although the ILIAD is usually not taken as literal as some interpretations the Bible, the variation.s of language usage and messages are astounding.

Numerous men have translated the romanticized poem and with each, they bring their own interpretations. Extensive searching for effective language in Homer.s ILIAD would be unnecessary. Techniques, such as similes appear numerous times throughout the book being used to appeal to the listeners, or later readers, senses. The language is used to increase the meaning of the passages surrounding them. This technique subconsciously acts to make the audience.s mind associate certain characters with words or phrases extending the attributes of both the God.s and the humans. By placing specific adjectives repetitively with the same name, the ILIAD is turned into a sensitive balance in which each character has an opponent. Every writer brings a unique trait to the epic tale. The ILIAD translated by Michael Reck is far less formal and poetic than that of Chapman.s ILIAD. The latter writer interpreted the classic poem during the great period of Shakespeare, when poetry was an art known to all. About one-third of Homer.s lines describe brutal warfare but written so appeasing and melodious that often the authenticity of the venomousness is lost.

Chapman.s writing seems to revere and honor the words of Homer more then Reck. He tries to embody the same meaning, whether using more or less words of Homer. Although conveying the same God, the two writers use different names. While Reck uses Zeus, Chapman prefers the Roman name Jove. At first, the transition of the names may be confusing because we associate names with individuals but here they are both the same entity. Chapter XVIII lines 428 through 613 may best capture the differences of the translator.s essences by comparing how they both speak of the same shield, Achilles Shield. Besides the obvious variation in language, due to the time in which they wrote, they convey different emphasis on this section. Chapman.s voice is in awe of the great accomplishment of Vulcan. He stresses Vulcan.s admiration for Thetis when he wrote that Vulcan shook her hand and asked:

What wisht occasion brings the sea.s bright Queen

To Vulcan.s house, that ever yet hath beene

So great a stranger. Shew they reverend will

Which mine of choyce commands me to fulfill,

If in the reach of all mine Arte it lie

Or be it possible to satisfie.

The audience is lead to believe that Vulcan would do all that is in his power to please the sea nymph. She is not only considered a divine guest when seated in a silver throne but he also shakes her hand extending his hospitality and illustrating his respect for her. In Reck.s version, Thetis is made to wait while Hephaestus (Vulcan) cleans up. He describes her visit as an .unexpected pleasure. but this does not send out the same worshipping tone as Chapman. To answer his question Reck simply says that .silverfoot Thetis answered him, weeping. while in Chapman.s romanticized version her reply was .[poured] out in teares.. By having Thetis.s sorrows cascade out, Chapman sympathizes and expresses how tragic young .acides (Achilles) death is. This captures the theme that the epic poem is also a tragedy. This must be realized or the reader will be both disillusioned and disappointed.

The end of Book XVIII, the description of Achilles shield, is a mirror image for the ILIAD on a smaller scale. Hephaestus crafts the shield showing both the before and during phases of Achilles city. The image, possibly confusing, is circular. Starting with the outer ring, the heavens including the sun and moon were fashioned to show the importance of how the Gods saw all that happened inside the human realm and how they were superior to all. The next two rings depict Achilles. city during peacetime and wartime. The fourth circular composition illustrates a farming scene and the fifth a dance scene. In the fifth, Reck writes that while the women are .graceful. and the men are .lusty.. From outer to inner level, the shield is a chronological line foretelling the victory of Greeks. Reck.s picture paints the baby boom that often follows wartime. Being away for many years and losing many men in battle, the Greeks are sure to rebuild their population to its previous stature.

Thetis, only a minor goddess, is balanced by Zeus (Jove) in Chapter XVIII. Being a sea nymph, water is associated with her. Zeus, father of both men and God.s, throws thunderbolts. His association with fire is placed on the opposing side of the balance from Thetis. He dwells in the heavens above while the mother of epic.s hero resides in the depths of the ocean. Zeus, being omnipotent, expresses his moods not on