At the beginning of Vergil's epic poem - long considered a classic
of Western literature - the hero Aeneas escapes from the carnage of
the Trojan War and embarks on a treacherous series of adventures
that eventually lead him to the future site of Rome. Vergil renders
Aeneas' dramatic story in deceptively simple but powerful language,
yet the poet's style is often lost in translation. This magnificent
new English translation of the Aeneid conveys the force of the
original poetry, as well as its subtle undertones, in part by
employing the poet's own metrical style. Unlike other modern
translators of Vergil, who forgo meter entirely or use iambic
pentameter (the meter of Shakespeare and other English poets),
Patricia A. Johnston uses dactylic hexameter, the meter used by
Vergil and by all ancient writers of epic poetry, beginning with
Homer. Johnston also avoids elaborate or esoteric language and
instead uses clear, unadorned diction to capture Vergil's masterful
simplicity. This volume is unique as well in addressing the needs
of students and other readers who may be encountering Vergil's work
for the first time. In her introduction to the poem, Johnston
traces the life of Vergil, describes his other works, and provides
a brief plot summary of the Aeneid. Her lucid explanation of poetic
meters in English and Latin is useful even for readers who thought
they understood the difference between a dactyl and a spondee.
Throughout the poem itself, she provides ample footnotes to explain
the meaning of unfamiliar references. The volume concludes with a
glossary of names and a select bibliography.
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