Translations of Greek Tragedy in the Work of Ezra Pound

This volume challenges the notion that Ezra Pound knew little Greek and explores his influential work as a translator of Greek tragedy. It demonstrates that Pound had a deep understanding of the language and that his translations were based on a careful reading of the source texts. The book also analyzes the understudied source material that influenced his translations, including his personal annotations, unpublished correspondence, and manuscript versions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This volume challenges the notion that Ezra Pound possessed limited knowledge of Greek, delving into his translations of Greek tragedy and examining their profound influence on his subsequent writing. Pound's work as a translator has left an indelible mark on the theory and practice of translation, sparking ongoing debates among scholars. While his translations from Chinese, Latin, and even Provençal have received considerable attention, his translations of Greek tragedy have remained relatively understudied. It is commonly assumed that Pound lacked proficiency in Greek, but Liebregts demonstrates that this assumption is far from accurate. Pound's knowledge of Greek was far more comprehensive than commonly assumed, and his translations were meticulously crafted based on a thorough reading of the original texts.

Liebregts identifies the specific works that served as the foundation for Pound's translations, providing valuable context for his interpretations. He also analyzes a wealth of understudied source material, including Pound's personal annotations in his Loeb edition of Sophocles, unpublished correspondence with classical scholars like F. R. Earp and Rudd Fleming, as well as manuscript versions and other unpublished drafts and texts that shed light on his working methodology.

Through this comprehensive examination, Liebregts sheds new light on Pound's translations of Greek tragedy and demonstrates their significance in shaping his artistic vision. His work contributes to a deeper understanding of Pound's literary legacy and highlights the importance of reassessing his contributions to translation studies.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350191341