Det korte svar
- Read our modern English edition if you want the whole Odyssey: all 24 books, nothing left out, with a 15-minute summary beside it.
- For study: set a few key passages beside a line-by-line scholarly translation.
How translations differ
Every translation of the Odyssey chooses between three things: the story, the sound of the poem and the letter of the Greek.
| Kind of translation | What it keeps | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Prose | The story, told plainly | A first read. |
| Verse | A rhythm you can hear | Reading aloud. |
| Line by line | The Greek, as closely as English allows | Study, next to the Greek. |
| Library of Alexandria | The whole story: all 24 books, nothing left out | Starting with the free 15-minute summary; the whole book opens here soon. Åbn vores udgave |
When to set a passage beside a scholarly translation
If you study the poem, for a class or for love of the Greek, read our modern English edition for the story and set a few key passages beside a line-by-line scholarly translation. The openings of books 1, 9 and 23 are good places to compare.
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Questions
Is the Library of Alexandria edition complete?
Yes. Every book is complete, chapter by chapter, nothing left out.
Which kind of translation stays closest to the Greek?
A line-by-line verse translation stays closest to the Greek. It is the one to set beside our modern English edition when you study a passage.
Do I need to read the Iliad first?
No. The Odyssey tells its own story, and it was composed to be heard on its own.
