This is a radical abridgement of Matthew Arnold’s 1861 lectures, On Translating Homer. I have retained only about 10% of the original text, focusing on some of his key insights into the practice of translation. I have worked primarily through excision rather than alteration.
I have also eliminated Arnold’s specific critiques of other translators. His comments on Francis Newman, in particular, were highly controversial at the time and sparked an “energetic” public feud that dominated the original volume. A scholar of great learning and brother to Cardinal Newman, Francis had published an Iliad that used deliberately “quaint” and “homely” language to reflect Homer’s supposed primitivism. Arnold found this approach “ignoble” and launched a public feud that dominated the original lectures. None of that is in this abridgement.
I would encourage anyone who has interest in the area to read the full collected work for added depth as well as insights to the famous translation-oriented feud.
Ross Belot January 15, 2026 gutenberg.org/ebooks/65381.
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Article Author Biography
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was a Victorian poet, critic, and Oxford Professor of Poetry whose "On Translating Homer" (1861) was an important contribution to translation theory. He argued translators must capture Homer's essential qualities—rapidity, plainness, and nobility—not just literal accuracy. His scathing critique of Francis Newman's translation sparked lasting debates. Beyond translation, Arnold championed cultural excellence in "Culture and Anarchy" and wrote enduring poetry including "Dover Beach," becoming one of Victorian England's most influential intellectuals.
This work was submitted as being in the Public Domain by Ross Belot and was sourced from Project Gutenberg .