Best Of: ‘Odyssey’ translator Emily Wilson / Actor Jon Bernthal

This section discusses Emily Wilson's work as the first woman to translate Homer's Odyssey into English, highlighting her dedication, the challenges of capturing the poetic meter and multi-character voices of the original, and her desire to convey the ancient text authentically. Wilson emphasizes the difficulty of translating poetry, especially in preserving its rhythmic and sonic qualities, and she shares the nuances of her recent translation, which strives to reflect the complexity of Odysseus' character as 'a complicated man.' Her work aims to bring the ancient text vividly to contemporary audiences, offering a fresh perspective on the hero's layered personality.

This segment covers Wilson’s critique of Nolan’s adaptation of the Odyssey, describing it as visually spectacular but narratively and emotionally shallow. Wilson notes the absence of divine intervention and deep character motivation, which she believes are central to Homer’s epic. She discusses how Nolan’s film simplifies the gods' active roles and the hero’s desires, which diminishes the story’s depth. Despite her criticisms, Wilson acknowledges that the film serves as a gateway to interest in classics and encourages audiences to engage with the original epic.

Wilson delves into the complexities of translating poetry, touching upon her strategic choice of maintaining Homeric meter (dactylic hexameter) in English—namely iambic pentameter—to preserve the poem’s rhythm. She underscores the importance of sound patterns and vivid imagery inherent to Homer’s style, contrasting her approach with more modern, prose-like translations. Wilson discusses how translation involves reinventing and absorbing the impact of the original language, and she describes how her translation aims to reflect Homer’s poetic structure and pace while making it accessible to modern readers.

This section traces Wilson’s upbringing in England in a family of accomplished professionals, with her own early interest in classical mythology sparked by a school adaptation of the Odyssey. She shares her experience of childhood shyness, her passion for Greek myths, and her transformative time studying in Russia at the Moscow Art Theatre School—an intense environment where acting was seen as a serious, dangerous profession due to its history of censorship and political repression. Wilson discusses how these experiences shaped her approach to engaging with classical texts and performing poetry, making her translation work deeply personal and vibrant.

Bernthal reflects on his experience playing Minelaus in Nolan’s 'The Odyssey,' depicting his dedication to authentic acting—such as enduring harsh conditions on set—and his motivation rooted in personal values like familial love and resilience. He also discusses his role as the Punisher in Spider-Man, emphasizing the character’s grounded nature and his interest in portraying complex, authentic human emotions. Bernthal talks about his unconventional path into acting, his childhood challenges, and how his early encounters with danger and his admiration for disciplined training in Russia helped him develop his craft. His insights reveal his commitment to embodying characters with depth and realism.