Horace Odes I: Carpe Diem (Bk.1) [Hardcover]

Horace (Author), David West (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198721609 | ISBN-13: 978-0198721604 | Publication Date: September 14, 1995

Horace is a great poet, much loved and imitated in the past, and in recent years much better understood as a result of the learned commentaries of Nisbet and Hubbard (1970, 1978). and Syndikus (1972, 1973). Yet today he is little read. This is partly because he had never been translated into English which is both close to the Latin and readable. The aim of this book is to provide such a translation and support it by a basic commentary which will help newcomers to Horace, whether or not they know any Latin, to understand how the poetry works. It should also stimulate and provoke students of Latin and of Roman history by propounding interpretations which are not always in line with current orthodoxies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book will be needed by all who know Horace. ... can new readers start here? Resoundingly, yes. They will gain a sound idea of what Horace means and how his poetry works, and these are achievements not to be obtained from other translations. s

`Professor West takes us closer to understanding his ancient master works. This may not be fashionable literary theory. It is better than that: to help us to understand a great poem is an act of creative poetry itself.' The Times

`displays both West's great positive qualities (clarity, vigour, a wilingness to push a line of argument as far as possible) and his great negative qualities (clarity, vigour, an unwillingness to allow others to push a line of argument)' TLS

`In this volume, West has built upon and surpassed his earlier work...It is what we might call the genre of this book which makes it such an important contribution to the study of Latin poetry...can be both helpful to students of all levels and scholarly...particularly good at placing the poems within a historical and cultural context...West's edition is full of new ideas and original interpretations...West's commentary should stimulate much fruitful discussion both among Latin scholars and students.' New England Classical Journal XXIII.4

`he is a fine reader of dramatic situations and imagery, and his translations are accurate and clear ... splendid and concise readings ... West's masterful job has made at least one convert, and I hope he plans more in this vein. All in all this book is a tool both dulce and utile, and if West after retirement can still be an enfant terrible, more power to him.' Vergilius, Volume 42: 1996

`The translations are splendid; they can be read with pleasure in their own right and attempt to do justice to Horace's effects on as many levels as possible ... also provides generous sidelights that disseminate a joy in literature' F. Jones, University of Liverpool, The Classical Review, Vol. XLVII, No. 1 '97

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin (translation)
Original Language: Latin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 14, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198721609
• ISBN-13: 978-0198721604
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,565,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear translation; helpful, thought-provoking commentary, January 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Horace Odes I: Carpe Diem (Horaceodes Ncs) (Bk.1) (Paperback)

This is an excellent place for someone who knows some Latin, but isn't an advanced student of the language, to start Horace (it worked for me, anyway). There's a brief,tantalising introduction to the poet's life and times, well-printed Latin texts and accurate but fluid English translations that leave just enough unsaid to puzzle the reader into thinking further (as Horace does himself in the Latin). The commentaries are well-written, accessible to all, and don't skip the difficulties. There are good notes on the metres, though putting them at the end of the book is a pity - too much flitting backwards and forwards is needed, and a non-latinist who is also not a musician might need a bit more explanation of how to apply them. The other commentaries (e.g. Nisbet and Hubbard) are cited and put into context where they're useful. The Odes, explained like this, are a revelation, and you may find yourself (as I did) involuntarily and painlessly memorising phrases or even whole verses of the Latin while reading through. Perhaps you'll also be stimulated to try out your own English verse translations of some of the poems. Very occasionally West has a rather eccentric interpretation of a word or image, but he always flags his own unorthodoxy, and in general he translates and explains clearly and modestly - you can disagree with him when you need to, without feeling patronised or let down. Above all, West transmits his strong affection for the very likeable Horace, whose tone he describes well, and often captures - a tone that moves quickly from light, worldy-wise irony to a serious view of fame, heroism, love, friendship and death, and back again to caustic wit, like clouds flitting quickly across a windy summer sky. The poems make you want to go and live in Ancient Rome - or rather, in the campagna outside it. These are some of the finest and most perfect poems ever written. So get a good Lewis and Short dictionary (that's the only important bit missing from the book) and "Carpe diem" - pluck the day.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great translation and interpretation, April 24, 2008

By 

Will (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Horace Odes I: Carpe Diem (Horaceodes Ncs) (Bk.1) (Paperback)

According to Mr. West, Horace and a slave are idling away an afternoon. The setting is a friend's villa on the Bay of Naples. It's late winter. They are drinking wine and talking about the future.

Bay of Naples? Winter? Slave? How can he possibly know that?

Read Mr. West's close reading and analysis to learn more, much more.