On Translating Homer

On Translating Homer, published in January 1861, was a printed version of the series of public lectures given by Matthew Arnold as Professor of Poetry at Oxford between 3 November and 18 December 1860.

Arnold's purpose was to discuss how his principles of literary criticism applied to the two Homeric epics and to the translation of a classical text.

He gives much space to comparing and criticizing already-published translations of the epics, notably He adds polite comments on William Maginn's Homeric Ballads (which first appeared in Fraser's Magazine, where Arnold intended to publish these lectures).

He quotes English hexameter translations of short Homeric passages by himself and by E. C. Hawtrey and also surveys original English hexameter poetry, including Arnold reserved much space for the criticism of the recently published translation of the Iliad into a ballad-like metre by Francis W. Newman.

To this Arnold in turn responded, with a last lecture, given at Oxford on 30 November 1861, afterwards separately published in March 1862 under the title On Translating Homer: last words.

Caricature from Punch , 1881: "Admit that Homer sometimes nods, That poets do write trash, Our Bard has written " Balder Dead ," And also Balder-dash"