My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unlike Francis Newman’s screed, Matthew Arnold’s final essay on translating Homer, written in part as a response to Newman, is a calm, well-considered and organized lecture. In 69 pages, he responds to the larger claims of Newman as well as expounding further on advice for future translators of Homer, and translation in general.

I enjoyed his discussion of simplicité vs. simplesse (natural vs. artificial simplicity) As an illustration, he compares Wordsworth’s Michael and Tennyson’s Dora. But, Arnold does suggest that Walter Scott’s Lay of the Last Minstrel is wanting, especially the beginning of the 6th canto, which I adore. Now, granted, I adore this for reasons that might be different than Scott’s intention (his was mostly about nationalism and love of one’s native land).

Overall, this was a good read but if you had to pick one book on translating Homer, I’d suggest Arnold’s first set of three lectures. They can stand alone and they give great guidance.