Literary translation

Miller compares objections to new versions of the Odyssey to wanting only one production of King Lear to exist.

“it's like, you know, wanting there to be only one production of King Lear ever. And that's it. No other productions, no other ideas”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 23:06

Miller says successful retellings are judged not by closeness to the text but by the fullness of the writer's vision.

“When you are adapting, there really are no rules. You can write very close to the text and not be successful and very far from the text and be completely successful”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 17:42

Wilson says it is strange to think one translation erases others and that the canon has room for many interpretations.

“I think there's something quite strange about the idea that the canon doesn't have room for many, many different interpretations, translations, engagements, reinventions”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 22:55

Wilson rejects the modern assumption that contemporary readers cannot tolerate metrical rhythm in translation.

“in the modern era, there's been this assumption that modern readers can't tolerate rhythm, which I think is false. I think modern readers can totally tolerate rhythm and, in fact, love it”

The Daily: What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything. (Jul 12, 2026) · Listen from 9:26