Odyssey questions

When I'm done with my Iliad phase, I'm planning on embarking on an Odyssey phase. I want to read The Odyssey ahain, and I'm wondering if Lattimore is also the recommended translation here? Is there a good companion book or books out there? Moreover, I plan to read James Joyce's Ulysses and Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad in tandem. Any other recommendations?

No but I think I'd like to follow along with you, if you do not mind. (I'll just do Odyssey. Joyce's work is above my reading level.)

Lattimore is the only translation of Homer I'll ever read again. He is simply the best translator I've ever read, hands down; he manages to get across a fairly literal translation while keeping the flow and an approximation of the meter... good stuff :-)

By the way, I know it sounds cliched, but I highly highly recommend trying to tackle the Greek language at some point to read Homer in the original. It seriously gives you a whole new viewpoint and appreciation of those two epics; not just the stories themselves, but the clever use of language and whatnot.

Feicht,

I am on board with the Greek. I would love to have a go at it, especially with some pro help.

Oh I plan on it, Josh. I just have to learn Greej, which is harder at 52 than 27, I think, but I don't want to whine ...

I'm glad to hear you say that about Lattimore -- Alexander uses the Lattimore translation in the book I'm reading now The War that Killed Achilles along with The Iliad. (which you should read!)

I recently picked up a copy of The Odyssey in Lattimore verse at a used book store in Amherst anticipating the Odyssey phase when it comes.

I must admit liking Iliad far more than Odyssey when I read these the first time, so we'll see how I feel this time around. I think there's a companion book like the one for the Iliad so I will definitely order thar.

No kidding man... first time I read the Iliad, it was in a Loeb-esque Shakespearean verse, which practically made my eyes bleed. Lattimore on the other hand... epic win!

The Penelopiad is just the last several chapters of The Odyssey. I read those chapters in one or two evenings, if I recall correctly. As I remember I preferred Homer to Atwood. I think I read them both in anticipation of watching a DVD of Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria. The opera was marvelous to watch and hear.

Robert

PS In my first sentence I should more properly have said that the one aligns with the other. Of course Atwood is doing her own take on Homer.

R

"Moreover, I plan to read James Joyce's Ulysses and Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad in tandem. Any other recommendations?"

since you're tackling the entire chain you might want to add Dante's cycle to your list as well, especially 'The Inferno'. and don't forget 'The Little Iliad'...
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/homer/liliad.htm

Don't forget to see this also. The best Odyssey re-make ever. Better than Huckleberry Finn. Much, much better than Cold Mountain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxP8RDP4aD4

My translation of the Odyssey has specific mention to raiding in Egypt after the Trojan war. Can anyone confirm Egypt is mentioned by name in the original text?

@ 10 ghasp

Mentioned by name at Book III, line 300:

ἀτὰρ τὰς πέντε νέας κυανοπρῳρείους
Αἰγύπτῳ ἐπέλασσε φέρων ἄνεμός τε καὶ ὕδωρ.

atar tas pente neas kyanoproreious
Aigyptoi epelasse pheron anemos te kai hydor.

But the wind and water, carrying them along, drove the five dark-prowed ships to Egypt.

It goes on to describe raiding by Menelaos, interspersed with the tale of Orestes.

Sorry it took so long for someone to answer.

8,

The Lost Books of the Odyssey has received glowing reviews.

Now I need to read The Odyssey...

Does anyone read that Nikos Kazantzakis one, what was it? The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel? any more?

I did read Atwood's The Penelopiad on Pam's recommendation, which is quite entertaining.

I have read Posthomerica: The Trojan Epic by Quintus of Smyrna. It goes from the death of Hector to the Greeks leaving Troy. That and the Aeneid and the only stories I've read that have the Trojan Horse in it, one from a Greek perspective and one from a Trojan perspective.

I read the Quintus of Smyrna bit too. It is not all authoritative but it does a nice job of connecting the epic cycle, most of which is either lost of exists in fragments.