Emily Wilson, a classical studies professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has embarked on a full retranslation of Homer’s "The Odyssey," nearly a decade after her acclaimed 2017 version was published. Speaking from her home in Philadelphia, Wilson emphasized that this effort is not a revision but an entirely new translation, currently about halfway completed.
Wilson’s initial translation gained widespread recognition for being the first major English edition of the epic authored by a woman. It attracted praise for its modern, accessible prose and sold over a million copies. However, it also sparked debate, with some critics labeling it “woke” in online discussions. The translation notably influenced filmmaker Christopher Nolan, who cited Wilson’s opening line, “Tell me about a complicated man,” as inspiration for his recent cinematic adaptation of the epic. While Nolan lauded her work, Wilson has expressed critical views of the film, describing it as occasionally incoherent and superficial.
The decision to produce a new translation so soon after a successful edition is unusual. Kate Deimling of the American Translators Association noted that translators often make corrections or edits in subsequent editions but rarely undertake a complete retranslation in such a short time frame. Wilson acknowledged the controversy this choice has generated and expressed awareness of the challenges it may pose for educators who might need to navigate two recent versions by the same translator. Her editor at Liveright Publishing, Peter Simon, described Wilson’s renewed approach as “thrilling,” reflecting the depth of her ongoing scholarship.
Wilson explained that advances in her translation technique and a deeper understanding of the source material motivated the new version. For example, she identified an overuse of the term “slave” in her earlier work, noting that ancient Greek employed various words to denote different statuses among enslaved individuals—a nuance she aims to capture more accurately. The forthcoming edition is expected to be longer and offer a more detailed portrayal of the distinct social worlds depicted in Homer’s poem.
Beyond her translation work, Wilson recently published a collection of essays titled "Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea," which explores themes including translation challenges and misinterpretations of ancient texts. She critiques prominent figures such as Daniel Mendelsohn and Robert Fagles, and examines topics ranging from the portrayal of Helen of Troy to the influence of Roman poet Catullus. The book also addresses how inaccuracies in earlier popular works, like Edith Hamilton’s translations, affected modern cultural understandings, including notable historical moments such as Robert F. Kennedy’s quotation of Aeschylus.
Wilson spoke candidly about the intersection of classical studies and contemporary culture, drawing unexpected parallels between ancient Greek comedic poetry and modern expressions like hip-hop. She also shared her skepticism of the ideology presented in Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series, citing concerns about its framing of Western civilization through an American-centric lens.
Regarding the public responses to her work and persona, Wilson reflected on the limits of control familiar to philosophers of ancient Greece, particularly Stoicism, which she has found increasingly relevant. Embracing the inevitability of misunderstanding and criticism, she expressed a nuanced perspective on the relationship between scholarship, public reception, and personal resilience.