A Companion to the Iliad: Based on the Translation by Richmond Lattimore

by Malcolm M. Willcock

Those who are able to read Homer in Greek have ample recourse to commentaries, but the vast majority who read the Iliad in translation have not been so well served—the many available translations contain few, if any, notes. For these readers, Malcolm M. Willcock provides a line-by-line commentary that explains the many factual details, mythological allusions, and Homeric conventions that a student or general reader could not be expected to bring to an initial encounter with the Iliad.
 
The notes, which always relate to particular lines in the text, have as their prime aim the simple, factual explanation of things the inexperienced reader would be unlikely to have at his or her command (What is a hecatomb? Who is Atreus' son?). Second, they enhance an appreciation of the Iliad by illuminating epic style, Homer's methods of composition, the structure of the work, and the characterization of the major heroes. The "Homeric Question," concerning the origin and authorship of the Iliad, is also discussed.

Professor Willcock's commentary is based on Richmond Lattimore's translation—regarded by many as the outstanding translation of the present generation—but it may be used profitably with other versions as well. This clearly written commentary, which includes an excellent select bibliography, will make one of the touchstones of Western literature accessible to a wider audience.
—from the back cover

Genres: Classics, Poetry, Nonfiction, Literary Criticism, History, Literature, Reference

293 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1976

Reviews

[Hon Lady Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came for more information about The Shield of Achilles, stayed for everything. This is probably the best companion to a book I've ever read, Malcolm M. Willcock made the Iliad 10/10 Fun!

For example, the author points out how Book I and Book XXIV are mirrored in reverse:

Book I
a) The rejection of the father (Chryses) who wishes to ransom his daughter.
b) Quarrel between Achilleus and Agamemnon.
c) Thetis speaks to Achilleus and agrees to take a message to Zeus.
d) Thetis and Zeus.
e) Dispute among the gods.

Book XXIV
e) Dispute among the gods.
d) Zeus and Thetis.
c) Thetis speaks to Achilleus, having brought a message from
Zeus.
b) Friendly converse between Achilleus and Priam.
a) Agreement that the father (Priam) may ransom the body of
his son.

I go crazy for stuff like this.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

11/10 would recommend this to anyone reading The Iliad for the first time; there are just too many things that you'd miss without any proper classical training.

[Odette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful line-by-line commentary. Without it, the Iliad would have been one long, incomprehensible series of gory battles and petulant warriors; with it, the characters and story began to feel real and even moving to me. (Great literature should not be drudgery)

[John Isles · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a rereading of the Iliad I decided to read Richmond Lattimore's translation, because it keeps close to the original. (Apart from other translations, I do own and have partly read the Greek text too.) A further attraction of Lattimore's version is the existence of this Companion to the Iliad based on Lattimore's translation. The detailed notes which constitute the bulk of this volume explain many things that the Chicago edition of Lattimore, with its own introduction and notes by Richard Martin, doesn't cover, and the present author doesn't hesitate to point out where Lattimore's translation is inaccurate.

Appendices discuss the transmission of the text of the Iliad and historical commentaries on it, the methods of fighting in the Iliad, the poem's place in the corpus of Greek mythology, and the "Aethiopis theory" which suggests that the Iliad parallels, or is even indebted to, the lost poem of this name that follows it in the epic cycle.

The book will continue to hold an honored place on my Homer shelf.

[Erik Rostad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very helpful guidebook for The Iliad. One thing I particularly enjoyed was learning about the parts where Homer made up stories and myths to fit the Iliad storyline. There were quite a few parts where Homer's versions differed from the other versions of the myths we have from other sources. I thought that was quite funny.

This guidebook also pointed out a number of the themes, repeated text, and connection points between stories and characters that really brought the Iliad to life. Not only that, these pieces of the story really increased my appreciation of Homer.

If you are going through the Iliad, this could be a helpful tool for you.

[Mike Schutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great books of literary criticism I’ve ever encountered. Just so helpful in its scope (brief, but hits all the high spots) and line by line commentary. Just amazing.

I do wish he had used the Fitzgerald rather than Lattimore Iliad, since I teach the former, but hey, I can’t really complain!

[Erich C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good companion text to Lattimore's translation of The Iliad.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading Homer after 45 years. I did a fair amount of background reading before I dove into "The Iliad", but this was helpful while reading it.
While I read the Fagles translation, this is useful for that translation as well. Only a very little bit of the "Companion" is specific to Lattimore's translation. Willcock questions the use of a particualr word, or line, here and there.
Plus, he has a sense of humor, and takes some of the "rivet counters" to task. Often for their lack of imagination, or their lack of an appreciation for Homer's use of every-day Greek life from the period in the epic.
An extremely helpful companion to any translation of "The Iliad", first published in 1976.

[Barry Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent supplement to the Lattimore translation.
Gave just 4 stars just because of the nature of the book: it is basically a set of notes that could appear as endnotes or footnotes in the book, which makes reading a bit fiddly at best.
There was some higher-level summary notes for the beginning of each Book of The Iliad, which was helpful and more engaging. Would have enjoyed a bit more of these.
For me, it was easiest to use this book if I read all the notes for each Book or section of a Book before reading in The Iliad proper to minimize the juggling of two books. Of course, I went back and looked again if questions occured to me during my reading The Iliad, but generally I found that going back and forth on a line by line basis was not necessary or more helpful.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful resource for those who want a line level commentary to supplement reading the Iliad. Most commentaries focus on the Greek text and thus difficult for a regular reader who does not know Ancient Greek. This book keys off the Lattimore translation. However, I used this while reading Fitzgerald’s translation and found the line numbers are close enough to make it usable. Willcock pointed to many details I missed and provided background I would not have otherwise known. Highly recommended!

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good resource to have while reading the Iliad. It doesn't include an introduction providing background on the form or history, though. It jumps right into Book 1. But the notes are very helpful for modern readers of this ancient classic. Until someone actually includes extensive notes in their translation, this will be the best way to understand the social and historical context of many scenes and passages.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful book to read alongside the Iliad. It follows Lattimore's line numbering, but I used it with Fagles and was generally okay. He introduces each book and then goes through the book explaining any problems or issues as well as giving lots of great background information. This is the only commentary on the Iliad I have read. Perhaps some are better (Leaf?). But still Willcock's work was excellent and well worth the time if you need a guide through The Iliad.

[Italia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading it now. I have to stop often to look up who the characters are in mythology and how they relate to eachother. But I appreciate the Valor in the men who lost sight of themselves at times and other times came into themselves again. I'm disappointed in Achilles but he didn't have a father like Hector did. It is dense reading for me particularly because it's written like a poem.

[Felipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite not reading the recommended edition this companion guide was based on, it still provided well placed commentaries that helped me understand and enjoy the base material to a fuller extent. The book fulfills what it proposes itself to do, my only criticism being the over focus on the different names of the narrative.

[Gary Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're going to read The Iliad, you'll need a sherpa. This is the book to get. It's for the Lattimore translation. I was reading the Fagles, but despite the line number differences, this companion was enormously helpful.

[Dale Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and helpful guide to the wonderful Lattimore translation of The Iliad. This isn’t some way to cheat or get out of reading the text. It’s designed to help those who want to understand the world of the Iliad better.

[Ashley Lynn Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

I taught the Iliad to a high school class and researched companions to the great work and selected this one based on reviews on here. I did not find it particularly helpful. This was my second reading of Iliad. This companion was merely okay IMO.

[Ivan Stoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keyed to the Lattimore translation, but helpful and interesting for my reading of Pope's translation as well.

[Samuel Mendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb guide, particularly good on Achilles's shield

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good in essence and in purpose, but when I encounter direct contradictions to the text and certain fact, I cannot quite trust it any longer.

[Isak · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Kalliope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a companion to Richard Lattimore’s translation of the Iliad. They are basically the footnotes to the text, with a short summary and explanation heading each chapter.

The first time I read the Iliad, the Lattimore version, I borrowed this from a friend. This time I decided it was worth while getting my own copy. But it took Blackwell’s a while to find it. I was relieved when they succeeded in sending me a copy.

Lattimore (1906-1984), who was born in China, translated the Iliad in 1957 and the Odyssey (the edition I also have) in 1962.

Malcolm Willcock (1925-2006) published his set of notes on 1976.

I think it argues a great deal in favour of Lattimore’s version that another scholar would engage in writing the footnotes to this translation.

[Caleb Hoze · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was definitely a read.

[Bernardo Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foi completamente essencial o uso deste guia específico para a minha tradução, feita por Richard Lattimore. O livro foi escrito para os gregos da época e portanto as diversas referências à mitos obscuros, “lendas urbanas” da época, uso de nomes regionais e citações geográficas são realmente confusas sem um guia. Os gregos e troianos são chamados por diversos nomes, muitas vezes correspondidos às suas regiões específicas. O guia explica a tradução linha por linha e até ajuda em explicar o motivo do tradutor ter escolhido certas palavras e até mostra onde ele errou ou podia ter feito uma melhor tradução. O único verdadeiro efeito que encontrei é de responsabilidade da Amazon, que foi de onde comprei o eBook. Em algumas partes, o livro referencia certas partes diferentes dele, que poderiam ser facilmente acessadas com um clique caso a Amazon tivesse se dado o trabalho de compilar as notas. É um problema menor, mas não se existe muito que se pode falar sobre um guia de tradução, pelo menos não algo que eu tenha experiência para reconhecer.

[Benjamin Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this to accompany my 2nd trip through The Iliad in the past three years. This time I read the new Mitchell translation (see separate review). I found Willcock to be very informative and enlightening. I did find myself occasionally referring to the Lattimore translation when I felt I was missing something with Mitchell. Willcock does a good job of providing insight into specific lines and passages, effectively explaining specific references and the subtleties of the original Greek. He accomplishes this while also discussing important themes and schools of thought in Homeric scholarship. I definitely appreciated the attention to both micro and macro aspects of the epic. I would enthusiastically recommend the partner to any translation you may be reading.

[Sabtain Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that while re-reading the Iliad, that I should flip to this copy of A Companion to the Iliad so that I can better understand what I was reading.

In my case I didn't read the exact translation that this companion is meant to accompany, which is Richard Lattimore's translation. I read the translation of Caroline Alexander. This companion to the Iliad seemed to hold up well enough with her translation and made it very easy to follow. Highly recommended.

Originally posted on Saturdays in a Book · all my reviews

[Paul Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent guide for reading the Iliad. It provides lots of interesting and helpful notes that bring greater context and insight to the book. I strongly recommend picking up a copy, especially if you are reading the Iliad outside of a classroom.

When I initially started to read the Iliad, I was completely lost and didn't understand even the first page. I realized pretty quickly I would need to learn a lot of contextual information before I could really dive in, and I stumbled across this book while perusing the shelves of a Half Price Books store. Very glad I did.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful, especially for those of us liable to mix our Epeios with our Euryalos (the boxers in Patroclus' funeral games, if you're bothered). The overviews and appendices are excellent too. Well worth getting if you are working from the Lattimore translation.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Iliad when I was young enough to need help, and anal enough to want to know absolutely every thing. (I'm still anal.)

My intrepid niece read this when she was 15, straight through, no companion. Blows me away.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indispensable resource for the armchair student reading Richmond Lattimore's translation of The Iliad. Made tackling this beast of an epic poem seem feasible.