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Product Description
Horace (65-8 BC) is one of the most important and brilliant poets of the Augustan Age of Latin literature whose influence on European literature is unparalleled. Horace's Odes and Epodes constitute a body of Latin poetry equalled only by Virgil's, astonishing us with leaps of sense and rich modulation, masterly metaphor, and exquisite subtlety. The Epodes include proto-Augustan poems, intent on demonstrating the tolerance, humour and the humanity of the new leaders of Rome, robust love poems, and poems of violent denunciation; the Odes echo Greek lyric poetry, reflecting on war, politics and the gods, and celebrating the pleasures of wine, friendship, love, poetry and music. Steeped in allusion to contemporary affairs, Horace's verse is best read in terms of his changing relationship to the public sphere, and David West's superb new translation is supplemented by a lucid introduction illuminating these complexities, extensive notes, a chronological survey and a glossary of names.
About the Author
David West is Professor Emeritus of Latin at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne & Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow.
Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace) was born in late 65 BC at Venusia in Apulia. He served on the staff of Brutus' army until the defeat at Philippi in 42 BC. On returning to Rome he found his father dead and his property confiscated but obtained a secretarial post in the treasury. His poetry impressed Virgil, who introduced him to the great patron Maecenas in 38 BC. From now on Horace had no financial worries and moved freely among the leading poets and statesmen of Rome; after
Virgil's death in 19 BC he was virtually Poet Laureate. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace) was born in late 65 BC at Venusia in Apulia. He served on the staff of Brutus' army until the defeat at Philippi in 42 BC. On returning to Rome he found his father dead and his property confiscated but obtained a secretarial post in the treasury. His poetry impressed Virgil, who introduced him to the great patron Maecenas in 38 BC. From now on Horace had no financial worries and moved freely among the leading poets and statesmen of Rome; after
Virgil's death in 19 BC he was virtually Poet Laureate. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
"...a monument more lasting than bronze..."
12 April 2002
Format:Paperback
[This review refers to the Oxford World's Classics
edition of Horace's THE COMPLETE ODES AND EPODES,
and the "Secular Hymn" -- "Translated with an Introduction
and Notes by David West."]
edition of Horace's THE COMPLETE ODES AND EPODES,
and the "Secular Hymn" -- "Translated with an Introduction
and Notes by David West."]
It is always wise, if funds permit, to purchase more
than one edition (translation) of some of these classic
works. To read several translations that are well done
is like experiencing the same piece of classical music
so well interpreted but with different style, flair, and
felicity by different orchestras and conductors.
The Oxford World's Classics series are excellent for
their formatting, the scholarship, and the wonderful
Explanatory Notes at the back which give such helpful
context and understanding.
You know that you are in the company of an interesting
translator (as well as the company of Horace, the poet,
himself) when you read something like this in the
"Introduction":
"Those who know Horace well, find that of all dead
writers there is none who is a closer friend, who speaks
more usefully in easy and in difficult times, and none
whom they would more happily sit down to drink with.
* * * We have seen glimpses of [Horace's] humour and
studied his tactical deftness as a client poet. His
poetry is steeped also in the affairs of the day. He
is interested in those he addresses and sensitive and
affectionate towards his friends. He has an eye for
metaphor and a taste for the surreal. * * * The sound
is unique, setting against elaborate, fixed metres the
music of powerful speech. The complexity of the
structure of many of the poems amazes with subtle
transitions, astonishing leaps of sense, and rich
modulations of feeling. The elusvieness of Horace is
familiar."
-- David West. "Introduction."
-------
But it is in the "Translator's Note" that the real
insight and sensitivity of this translator come out.
For he says of Horace: "The odes of Horaace are among
the densest lyric poems ever written. The allusions
are rich and subtle, and the tone is so iridescent
that readers can never be quite sure of it, and find
endless pleasure in disagreeing with each other about
it. Translation of poetry is always impossible but
translation of Horace's odes is inconceivable."
-- David West. "Translator's Note."
-------
But very fortunately for us, David West proceeded
with his translation quest anyway. And he has given
us some very fine experiences with Horace, even if
they are in English. Here is a part of West's
translation of Ode XXIX from Book III:
Fortune enjoys her cruel business and
persists in playing her proud game,
transferring her fickle honours,
favouring now me, now another.
I praise her while she stays. If she
shakes out
her swift wings, I return what she gave,
wrap myself
in my virtue, and look for honest Poverty,
the bride that brings no dowry.
Immensely satisfying, memorable, haunting...
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
The more notes the better
27 Jun 2003
Format:Paperback
Okay - so Horace is notoriously allusive, each line packed with meaning. What that calls for, it would seem, is a translation with as many pages of notes as of text, if not more, and a line-by-line gloss in the back.
West in his Oxford World's Classic gives better annotation than most (the Penguin or Modern Library edition), but still could stand to do a lot more. One suspects he wants people to buy his expanded editions of the Odes.
The translations, as poetry, will not knock you off your feet, but they do better than the looser Michie versions at letting you know what Horace more or less wrote. (I find Michie's unrhymed versions very fine as poetry, but the rhymed ones are too glib to bear.) And West's aren't quite as soporific as Shepard's versions in Penguin.
Basically, it seems, I need to learn Latin. And if any of you eager reviewers knows a good English-language commentary on the Odes, don't keep it a secret.
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Enjoyed this book.
3 July 1999
Format:Paperback
This book was a revelation to me. I don't have any background in Latin but have always enjoyed reading literature, especially poetry. No one had told me what an influence Horace had on the English and French poetry that I have always enjoyed! I kept recognizing things that later writer copied and imitated from him, because he is so lovely. He also is a great poet for a thinking person to read. Mature and interesting. The translations seemed to be good. I had a friend who reads Latin listen to a few and she said they were very accurate. When she read the original aloud to me, they sounded much more lovely than the English. But I suppose that is normal.
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