The Poems of Hesiod by Hesiod, and: Theogony, Works and Days, Shield by Hesiod (review)

172 BOOK REVIEWS/COMPTES RENDUS HESIOD. The Poems of Hesiod. Translation, introduction and comments by R. M. Frazer; dlustrated by Mary Sue Roniger. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 1983. Pp. x, 150. Cloth, U.S. $14.95; paper, U.S. $4.95, ISBN 0-8061-1837-7. HESIOD. Theogony, Works and Days, Shield. Translation, introduction and notes by Apostolos N. Athanassakis. Baltimore and London, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1983. Pp. x, 168. Cloth, U.S. $17.95; paper, U.S. $6.95, ISBN 0-8018-2998-4. The strength of the American market for texts in classical studies and mythology is attested by the simultaneous appearance of two new English verse translations of Hesiod. They are the work of established and respected scholars: R. M. Frazer is professor and former chairman of classics at Tulane University, while Apostolos Athanassakis is professor and chairman of classics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Both give substantial help in the form of sol id introductory essays, explanatory notes or comments, and useful bibliographies. As translators, Frazer wins the palm for accuracy and fidelity, whereas Athanassakis provides the more readable and stimulating English versions. Neither can rival the panache of Richmond Lattimore's free-spirited renderings (Michigan 1959) or the simplicity of Dorothea Wender's lean blank verse (Penguin 1973). Because of their academic orientation, both new works offer attractive options for use in classical civilization courses. As an introductory textbook, Frazer's compact and reliable volume will probably have the greater appeal. Conservative Hellenists will applaud Frazer's systematic, no-nonsense approach. His admirable introduction gives a clear and orthodox summary of Hesiod's life and times, reviews the Near Eastern parallels, and offers a brief analysis of Hesiod's poetic style. The influence of M. L. West is often apparent, and is duly acknowledged. In presenting his translation, Frazer has del iberately chosen a didactic format, with the aim of providing all possible assistance to the reader unfamiliar with Hesiod's poems. The Theo~ony and Works and Days are both divided into short segments rangmg from 5 to 115 Imes (about 40 lines on average). Each of these verse sections is given a descriptive sub-title, and each is followed by short interpretive comments, set in contrasting italic type. Although the structural divisions are sensible aids for the novice, the running commentary inevitably disrupts the flow of the poems. One must concede that the comments themselves are very skilfully managed: the scholarship is sound and unpretentious, and any digressive impulses are held in check. Reaction to this format will depend upon the user's taste and background. Struggling undergraduates will surely be grateful for the immediate guidance provided, but the mature reader may feel somewhat patronized by the intrusive spoon-feeding. In contrast, Athanassakis appears to be directing his translations at a rather more sophisticated audience. While his BOOK REVIEWS/COMPTES RENDUS 173 introductory essays give all the basic information required, they go further than Frazer's in addressing the theological and philosophical issues of Hesiod's poems. His copious notes are set in tightly printed ~~~b~a c~~um~:reth:~e:~lli~w a~~snd~~~Si~~:er~~c~h~o T~~~~~~Yt~endH:::r~~ Hymns ,Y the Presocratics and early Greek tragedy. In addition, there is recurring mention of parallel beliefs and practices in modern Greek folk culture, a feature that may raise some eyebrows despite Athanassakis' spirited defence of his approach. Regardless of that idiosyncrasy, Athanassakis displays a good command of Hesiodic scholarship. The format of his translations is in stark contrast to that of Frazer's: each poem is uncompromisingly presented as a continuous whole, without any paragraphing or structural divisions. Both men profess to give a line-by-line translation. Frazer's versions, in an academic English hexameter, are literal enough to do service as a crib. Unfortunately, this accuracy is achieved at the cost of poetic energy. Attempts to reproduce Greek dactylic hexameter by an artificial accentual equivalent are almost guaranteed to result in ponderous and monotonous English rhythms. Too often the effect is that of pedestrian dactylic prose, as in Theogony 416-420 : Such are her powers, for now when any man Iiving...