Why is Emily Wilson retranslating The Odyssey from scratch?

Emily Wilson, a renowned classical studies scholar and best-selling translator of Homer's The Odyssey, is embarking on a new retranslation of the epic less than a decade after her 2017 modern interpretation. This isn't a mere revision or enhancement of the earlier work; Wilson is beginning anew with a completely rewritten version.

The comparison to an ever-painting Golden Gate Bridge highlights the ongoing nature of this translation task. The reason behind this decision, especially considering the potential for confusion among readers, is explained by Wilson herself. While she recognizes that this may cause some consternation among educators, she hopes they won't "curse" her for it.

The initial publisher's displeasure notwithstanding, Wilson's previous translation's phenomenal success of over a million copies likely alleviated some of the pressure.

Wilson's motivation for this new undertaking is not merely to capitalize on The Odyssey's resurgence in popularity, nor is it a response to its recent fame. She has already completed the first half of this fresh translation, which has been ongoing since at least the spring. One of Wilson's goals in this retranslation is to employ a different approach, resulting in a longer work with varied word-length and pacing.

She also aims to enhance precision in presenting certain concepts to a modern audience. An example she cites is her intention to replace the term "slave," which may not accurately convey the Ancient Greek understanding of bondage. This is a broader objective of her retranslation, as she plans to quadruple the number of endnotes, an endeavor she finds particularly enjoyable.

Wilson's commitment to this project is further demonstrated in her recent essay collection, Crossing the Wine Dark Sea. In this work, she delves into her translation philosophy compared to past translators, discusses the enduring appeal of Stoicism, critiques the popularity of the Percy Jackson series, and explores how Cardi B's "WAP" echoes ancient comedic poetry.

Ultimately, Wilson's continued engagement with The Odyssey stems from her deep affection for the poem. She expresses her gratitude in The Times, stating that "it's always a huge privilege to get to spend all day reading Homer and wrestling with the endlessly fascinating challenges of how to convey ancient Greek into fluent English verse." This underscores the notion that revisiting beloved works is never a waste of time.