This project studies translation theory and various translations of Vergil’s Aeneid. It seeks to determine what key factors make for the best translations of classical epic, particularly of the Aeneid. The project begins by examining the supremacy of epic and the fous in European cultures on the Aeneid. Next, the paper establishes the theoretical background by exploring the various theories of translation, focusing particularly on those of Johann Wolgang von Goethe, Lawrence Venuti, and Lorna Hardwick. In addition, the necessity of meter in translation of epic is addressed. The bulk of the work focuses on case studies selected from Books II, IV, and XII of the Aeneid, with translations by a variety of English-language translators and two from Germany. The project concludes that the best translations are in meter, and seek to create a text identical to the original work. Beyond meter, aesthetic considerations should be held in high regard, but secondary to the actual meaning of the text. As a Classics major, my past classes all served as background for this project. Of course, my Latin classes, and, outside the Classics program, my German classes served as the foundation for my language comprehension. However, because of the nature of Vergil’s work, an understanding of Roman political and literary history was necessary, as was an understanding of Greek history and literature. In addition, having worked with classical texts in translation previously, I had an understanding, to an extent, of the difficulties associated with being reliant upon a translation for study.
Author: Charles Hoffmann
Faculty Advisors: Zara Torlone, Classics; Denise McCoskey, Classics; John M Jeep, German
You must be logged in to post a comment.