‘Odyssey’ translator Emily Wilson: Nolan should've hired a screenwriter

The podcast begins with host Dave Davies introducing Emily Wilson, a renowned scholar and translator of classical Greek literature, notably The Odyssey and The Iliad. Wilson discusses her background, her groundbreaking role as the first woman to translate The Odyssey into English, and her critical perspective on Christopher Nolan's film 'The Odyssey,' which has sparked debate. She emphasizes her support for people seeing the film due to its cultural significance and spectacle, despite her critique of its depth and character development.

Wilson explains her philosophy and meticulous approach to translating Homer. She highlights the importance of maintaining the poetic meter of the original Greek, which was oral performance poetry, often rap-like in rhythm, and her efforts to preserve its multi-vocal, dramatic nature. Her translation actively attempts to recreate the speed, rhythm, and emotional impact of Homeric poetry, using traditional meters like the English pentameter and over 12,000 lines. She discusses the challenges of translation, such as capturing Homer’s sound patterns and complex imagery, and how she aims to bring the ancient text closer to modern readers without oversimplifying or misrepresenting the original characters and themes.

Wilson delves into specific episodes and characters from The Odyssey, providing detailed insights. She describes the significance of Odysseus as a 'complicated man,' the role of gods like Zeus and Poseidon, and how their divine interventions are depicted in the original text. She discusses the Sirens, emphasizing their alluring song and the artistic choices made in translating and visualizing these mythic creatures, contrasting her translation with Nolan’s film depiction. Wilson also analyzes the gruesome scene of the slaughter of Odysseus’ suitors and their enslaved women, exploring modern sensitivities versus ancient customs, and how translators often project contemporary moral views onto these characters.

Wilson shares her personal background, including growing up in England, her childhood fascination with Greek myth, and her academic career. She discusses her tattoos symbolizing her connection to Homeric epics and her reactions to online criticism, especially related to her role as a female translator. Wilson challenges the notion of her work as merely 'feminist,' emphasizing her respect for Homer’s complex characters and her resistance to simplistic gendered descriptions of her translations. She reflects on the importance of engaging new audiences through accessible translation and her excitement about redoing her translation with improved techniques.

Wilson advocates for engaging actively with Homer’s texts, recommending listening to her audiobook versions or reading the poems aloud. She emphasizes the value of experiencing the oral tradition, as Homer was originally performed, and encourages readers to enjoy the literature in whatever form suits them. Wilson concludes by expressing her enthusiasm for her ongoing translation projects, indicating she is now revising her Odyssey translation to better capture Homer’s rhythm, emotional depth, and layered storytelling, reflecting her continuous dedication to classical translation.