What a wonderful treat, for anyone who loves Homer, or may just want to know and understand more. I particularly appreciated Edith Hall`s timely comment regarding the often overlooked capabilities of intellectual women. When a started as an undergrad at Oxford, the university had just embarked on the long process of requiring all it`s colleges to become co-educational - amid some significant and quite vocal opposition. I retired a few years ago as a ( male ) Professor of Early Medieval History at Oxford,but I had first gained my degree as a Greats Scholar, before moving on to Medieval History. I have always had huge respect for Edith Hall, who is simply quite brilliant, and now feel the same ' awe ' for Emily Wilson, her translation of ' The Iliad ' has provided me with tremendous pleasure and sublime satisfaction in these, my later years. Both actors are, of course utterly brilliant and mesmerizing in their readings of this terrific work - thank you for bringing it to RUclips :)
What an absolute treat for the ears and literate hearts. Menzies is mesmerizing in all his performances and always chooses fabulous material - I am still pinching myself getting to see him in The Hunt this coming March. His film work is in a league of its own; to share a live space with his performance is truly going to be magical.
What I love about hearing these amazing women talk is that, as they are so familiar with ancient texts, they see very little difference between the people of then and now in terms of their humanity, and that is what makes Emily Wilson’s translation so compelling and alive.
pffft, what? He's very evidently a dull and singularly-faceted man. The best that can be said of him is that he's inoffensive for the most part. And I suppose he has good manners.
@@watermelonman3000 he’s not at all though - he has this level of subtleness yet sharpness and maturity in even the smallest inflections and movements that perhaps only the most sensitive and razor focused type of person can pick up on. I do not get starstruck or mesmerized by others but this man is one of the greatest actors of our time. His pure control of emotion and voice and his awareness of every movement of his body is unreal. It’s impossible to tear your eyes and ears from him as he performs.
Not at all. You are engaging in what psychologists call "projection". Your recourse to self-flattery is a dead giveaway. Second-rate actors like him cultivate this potential in the human psyche because they have nothing else to get by on. He's peddling "inoffensive"; it's low-common-denominator trade. Any popularity he may have is only a symptom of the paucity of the field within the industry today. He's a poor choice to voice Achilles and he was chosen because there's no obvious good choice: filler.@@Iloveorliandwicked
There's nothing strange about it. And don't condescend. Beyond that, if you enjoy him so much then good luck to you: it's not a crime. As I've said before, he is inoffensive.@@Iloveorliandwicked
I have to thank MoAn Inc’s RUclips channel for introducing me to Dr. Emily Wilson and her AMAZING translations of Homer! Particularly her translation of the “Odyssey”.
A really fascinating chat between Emily and Edith about how the translation work was done. It’s a magnificent work. Menzies and Stevenson bring it to life and of course Menzies is a special talent. The event is about Emily’s work on Homer’s epic, though, and the plaudits should go to her. 56:14
Beginning to appreciate literature, i have read a little latin, greek and french as a seminarian but your reading in the classical greek made me want study greek and latin in dept to be able to read these classical epics in their original language... wow Eso es impresionante.
this as very engaging - after feeling somewhat skeptical about any project that seemed to wish to improve upon Pope (!) I was greatly impressed by these wonderful people and all they had to say
Good work on a serious subject. After all those old 'dons' in their tweeds and elbow patches with their pipes and lost gaiety, with their cribs and parsing this comes as a freshness, a vita nuova.
The Iliad is about the notion that human dignity (BOTH MALE AND FEMALE) arises from the ability to CHOOSE in the face of mortality. The gods are powerful and immortal BUT their actions lack the gravitas that human decisions have. For example, Achilles was offered the choice between a long and peaceful life or a short but glorious one - he CONSCIOUSLY CHOSE the short but glorious one FULLY AWARE of the cost. You can literally go through every character in The Iliad and look at their choices through this lens. You should try it!
Great translation BUT still cannot pronounce Greek words and names correctly sorry, but it will NOT do, for 50 years I have been listening to wrongly pronounced Greek. People only now are beggining to pronounce my name almost correctly. Achilles Pelias? Please....
Hard to find a more anti-intellectual interview of one of the most sophisticated works of art. The greatest applause came from simply singing: Women are on stage. As someone who teaches the Illiad to my daughter, I use this interview to show her what true poverty of ideas looks like. When you’re seeking applause for your gender, you need help.
You cannot find a single interview with Professor Wilson where she does not bring up patriarchy or “the fact that she as a woman did this translation” while at the same time having her try to distance herself from the relevance of gender in interpreting classical literature. Her translation is boring and dry. The only reason it’s getting attention is to sell books for the publishers. Read Popes translation it’s is divine.
Hmm, my experience has been very different. I'm about 20 minutrs into this one, after watching 6 others recently, and she's never the one to bring it up it seems to me. The interview dies. She kinda smiles and nods and tries to get past the issue as quick as she can and stick to the text. In fact as I'm writing this she corrects the interviewer, reminding her of a previous female translation the interviewer conveniently ignored just before. Sort if relatedz I saw one interviewer that brought up the Achilles/Patroklos relationship. I was ready for it all to go down hill. But, she is against the idea of a romantic relationship altogether. So that's good because I agree with her completely.
I disagree. Edith Hall is actually the one here who keeps bringing up the patriarchy and the historical sexism of classics departments. Emily Wilson actually acknowledges that she is the second woman to translate The Iliad, and this point seems to irritate Edith Hall for some reason, perhaps since it deflates Hall’s feminist grandstanding a bit. Wilson seems enthusiastically engaged with Homer, and here she speaks endlessly of her love of the text, the narrative, and the beauty of Homer’s art. She is actually effusive to an immoderate degree that seems to make Edith Hall uncomfortable. From her body language, it looks like Edith Hall doesn’t much like Emily’s raw enthusiasm. Look at the horror on Edith Hall’s face when Emily speaks of her acquired sympathy for Agamemnon’s burden as commander. Keep in mind that Edith Hall made her own reputation as a commentator on Greek tragedy and has much to say on the callous and inept presentation of Agamemnon in Homer and Aeschylus, and here this young upstart is contradicting her fundamental view of the Argive king. Or Emily Wilson’s nerdy and unfashionable and completely offbeat admiration of the Greek gods in Homer’s narrative. Edith comes across as quite snobbish, in fact. Arms crossed and coolly distancing herself from Emily’s fangirling over Homer. I actually find Emily Wilson quite refreshing in this respect. She is excited and nervous and talking a mile a minute. It’s clear that she loves wholeheartedly the Homeric epics. I love that!
What a wonderful treat, for anyone who loves Homer, or may just want to know and understand more. I particularly appreciated Edith Hall`s timely comment regarding the often overlooked capabilities of intellectual women. When a started as an undergrad at Oxford, the university had just embarked on the long process of requiring all it`s colleges to become co-educational - amid some significant and quite vocal opposition.
I retired a few years ago as a ( male ) Professor of Early Medieval History at Oxford,but I had first gained my degree as a Greats Scholar, before moving on to Medieval History. I have always had huge respect for Edith Hall, who is simply quite brilliant, and now feel the same ' awe ' for Emily Wilson, her translation of ' The Iliad ' has provided me with tremendous pleasure and sublime satisfaction in these, my later years. Both actors are, of course utterly brilliant and mesmerizing in their readings of this terrific work - thank you for bringing it to RUclips :)
an absolutely stellar reading from Tobias Menzies and Juliet Stevenson! and such wonderful insights into Wilson's translation. will watch this again!
What an absolute treat for the ears and literate hearts. Menzies is mesmerizing in all his performances and always chooses fabulous material - I am still pinching myself getting to see him in The Hunt this coming March. His film work is in a league of its own; to share a live space with his performance is truly going to be magical.
What I love about hearing these amazing women talk is that, as they are so familiar with ancient texts, they see very little difference between the people of then and now in terms of their humanity, and that is what makes Emily Wilson’s translation so compelling and alive.
Great poetry read by fine actors! Wonderful discussion of the process of creating this luminous translation. Thank you so much!
One of the best literary programs of the year. Many thanks for this!
Brilliant, sparkling, pounding, sinuous translation into lovely English blank verse! It's a joy to read and hear.
Tobias Menzies is a multifaceted man, he is perfect in everything he sets out to do, with extreme good taste his voice conveys an absurd feeling
pffft, what? He's very evidently a dull and singularly-faceted man. The best that can be said of him is that he's inoffensive for the most part. And I suppose he has good manners.
@@watermelonman3000 he’s not at all though - he has this level of subtleness yet sharpness and maturity in even the smallest inflections and movements that perhaps only the most sensitive and razor focused type of person can pick up on. I do not get starstruck or mesmerized by others but this man is one of the greatest actors of our time. His pure control of emotion and voice and his awareness of every movement of his body is unreal. It’s impossible to tear your eyes and ears from him as he performs.
Not at all. You are engaging in what psychologists call "projection". Your recourse to self-flattery is a dead giveaway. Second-rate actors like him cultivate this potential in the human psyche because they have nothing else to get by on. He's peddling "inoffensive"; it's low-common-denominator trade. Any popularity he may have is only a symptom of the paucity of the field within the industry today. He's a poor choice to voice Achilles and he was chosen because there's no obvious good choice: filler.@@Iloveorliandwicked
@@watermelonman3000 what a weird comment. I’m sorry you don’t have the capacity to understand or enjoy such a rarity of talent.
There's nothing strange about it. And don't condescend. Beyond that, if you enjoy him so much then good luck to you: it's not a crime. As I've said before, he is inoffensive.@@Iloveorliandwicked
Wonderful, thank you for posting!
What a wonderful performance! Thank you so much for sharing! I wish they did the whole audiobook.
These ladies are on fire.
Thank you!
I have to thank MoAn Inc’s RUclips channel for introducing me to Dr. Emily Wilson and her AMAZING translations of Homer! Particularly her translation of the “Odyssey”.
A really fascinating chat between Emily and Edith about how the translation work was done. It’s a magnificent work. Menzies and Stevenson bring it to life and of course Menzies is a special talent. The event is about Emily’s work on Homer’s epic, though, and the plaudits should go to her. 56:14
Thank you.
Fantastic! ❤
Beginning to appreciate literature, i have read a little latin, greek and french as a seminarian but your reading in the classical greek made me want study greek and latin in dept to be able to read these classical epics in their original language... wow Eso es impresionante.
I have this book and am going thru the intro. Love hearing the actors read parts aloud
Loved it! Many thanks!
this as very engaging - after feeling somewhat skeptical about any project that seemed to wish to improve upon Pope (!) I was greatly impressed by these wonderful people and all they had to say
Thank goodness we can all have our opinions!
Listening to Juliet and Tobias read this beautiful translation of Emily’s gave me the same chills that I get when listening to opera (or maybe EDM).
Good work on a serious subject. After all those old 'dons' in their tweeds and elbow patches with their pipes and lost gaiety, with their cribs and parsing this comes as a freshness, a vita nuova.
amazing!
6:00 LMAO, Tobias Menzies as Achilles giving Agamemnon the finger. Brilliant!
The Iliad is about the notion that human dignity (BOTH MALE AND FEMALE) arises from the ability to CHOOSE in the face of mortality. The gods are powerful and immortal BUT their actions lack the gravitas that human decisions have. For example, Achilles was offered the choice between a long and peaceful life or a short but glorious one - he CONSCIOUSLY CHOSE the short but glorious one FULLY AWARE of the cost.
You can literally go through every character in The Iliad and look at their choices through this lens. You should try it!
Oh dear, it seems the less-than-complimentary comments have been removed. Is the LRB marking its own homework?
10:55 such an unnecessary and dumb comment to make. just gross.
Lord Edmure!!!
🌠⭐🌠⭐🌠⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌠⭐🌠⭐🌠
Agamemnon is a Butthead
Great translation BUT still cannot pronounce Greek words and names correctly sorry, but it will NOT do, for 50 years I have been listening to wrongly pronounced Greek.
People only now are beggining to pronounce my name almost correctly. Achilles Pelias? Please....
One would wonder when someone say ,patriarchy etc ,equal share of what ? ,colonial loot or labourors sweat or illegals vote ?
Hard to find a more anti-intellectual interview of one of the most sophisticated works of art. The greatest applause came from simply singing: Women are on stage. As someone who teaches the Illiad to my daughter, I use this interview to show her what true poverty of ideas looks like. When you’re seeking applause for your gender, you need help.
Can't get into formulaic poetry.
You cannot find a single interview with Professor Wilson where she does not bring up patriarchy or “the fact that she as a woman did this translation” while at the same time having her try to distance herself from the relevance of gender in interpreting classical literature. Her translation is boring and dry. The only reason it’s getting attention is to sell books for the publishers. Read Popes translation it’s is divine.
Hmm, my experience has been very different. I'm about 20 minutrs into this one, after watching 6 others recently, and she's never the one to bring it up it seems to me. The interview dies. She kinda smiles and nods and tries to get past the issue as quick as she can and stick to the text. In fact as I'm writing this she corrects the interviewer, reminding her of a previous female translation the interviewer conveniently ignored just before.
Sort if relatedz I saw one interviewer that brought up the Achilles/Patroklos relationship. I was ready for it all to go down hill. But, she is against the idea of a romantic relationship altogether. So that's good because I agree with her completely.
Aw diddums. Are you feeling threatened by clever and accomplished women scholars then? You poor thing.
I disagree. Edith Hall is actually the one here who keeps bringing up the patriarchy and the historical sexism of classics departments. Emily Wilson actually acknowledges that she is the second woman to translate The Iliad, and this point seems to irritate Edith Hall for some reason, perhaps since it deflates Hall’s feminist grandstanding a bit. Wilson seems enthusiastically engaged with Homer, and here she speaks endlessly of her love of the text, the narrative, and the beauty of Homer’s art. She is actually effusive to an immoderate degree that seems to make Edith Hall uncomfortable. From her body language, it looks like Edith Hall doesn’t much like Emily’s raw enthusiasm. Look at the horror on Edith Hall’s face when Emily speaks of her acquired sympathy for Agamemnon’s burden as commander. Keep in mind that Edith Hall made her own reputation as a commentator on Greek tragedy and has much to say on the callous and inept presentation of Agamemnon in Homer and Aeschylus, and here this young upstart is contradicting her fundamental view of the Argive king. Or Emily Wilson’s nerdy and unfashionable and completely offbeat admiration of the Greek gods in Homer’s narrative. Edith comes across as quite snobbish, in fact. Arms crossed and coolly distancing herself from Emily’s fangirling over Homer. I actually find Emily Wilson quite refreshing in this respect. She is excited and nervous and talking a mile a minute. It’s clear that she loves wholeheartedly the Homeric epics. I love that!
Listening to Professor Wilson talk about the Iliad is like listening to Donald Trump talk about the Handmaid’s Tale.