Aeneid
ISBN13: 9780199231959ISBN10: 0199231958
Paperback,
544 pages
Jul 2008,
In Stock
Price:
$15.95 (11)See more from the series
Description
Frederick Ahl's new translation captures the excitement, poetic energy, and intellectual force of the original in a way that has never been done before. Ahl has used a version of Virgil's ancient hexameter, a swift-moving six-beat line varying between twelve and seventeen syllables, to reproduce the original poetry in a thrillingly accurate and engaging style. This is an Aeneid that the first-time reader can grasp and enjoy, and whose rendition of Virgil's subtleties of thought and language will enthrall those already familiar with the epic. Unlike most translators, Ahl has chosen to retain Virgil's word-play, the puns and anagrams and other instances of the poet's ebullient wit. "Like Shakespeare and the Greek tragedians, Virgil grasped that humor and earnestness are not mutually exclusive in art any more than they are in life. One should read the Aeneid not in solemn homage, but for enjoyment." Enhanced by Elaine Fantham's Introduction, Ahl's comprehensive notes and an invaluable indexed glossary, this lively new translation brings readers closer to the original and the myriad enjoyments to be found there.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Features
- A new verse translation of Virgil's Aeneid, the only one to use the same poetic metre as Virgil and to explore the subtleties of Virgil's wordplay.
- Ahl's translation captures the excitement and drama of the original and is both more accurate and more readable than other existing translations.
- Like the original, the translation is equally effective when read aloud, making it ideal for performance and instruction. Because it has the same number of lines as the original, it is particularly useful for those wishing to cross-reference the Latin.
- Elaine Fantham's Introduction is informative and unintimidating, guiding the reader through the action of each of the twelve books and exploring its features and major areas of critical debate, as well as outlining the historical background to its composition.
- The edition includes comprehensive annotation and a valuable indexed glossary which can be used equally well with the Latin original.
- Includes an up-to-date bibliography, maps, and genealogies.
Reviews
"Readers of Ahl's well-crafted lines will come face-to-face with the excitement and energy of Virgil's moving original. Fantham's 40-page introduction will enlighten both new readers and old fans; also helpful are the maps of the Roman world, the select bibliography, extensive glossary, index of proper names, and--especially-- Ahl's 100 pages of explanatory notes. Highly recommended." --CHOICE
About the Author(s)
Frederick Ahl is a professor of classics and comparative literature at Cornell University. His books include Sophocles' Oedipus, Seneca's Phaedra, Lucan: An Introduction, and Metaformations: Soundplay and Wordplay in Ovid and Other Classical Poets. He lives in Ithaca, NY.
