Book I, opening lines
Translations, Iliad (1997)
“Rage—Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles”
I. 1–5 (tr. Robert Fagles).
Iliad (c. 750 BC)
Context: Rage—Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles,
murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls,
great fighters' souls, but made their bodies carrion,
feasts for the dogs and birds.
“Black rage is largely a response not to white racism but to black failure.”
Source: Books, The End of Racism (1995), Ch. 8
Book I, line 1, p. 1
The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets (1611)
Context: Achilles' baneful wrath resound, O Goddess, that imposed
Infinite sorrows on the Greeks, and many brave souls loosed
From breasts heroic, sent them far to that invisible cave
That no light comforts, and their limbs to dogs and vultures gave;
To all which Jove's will gave effect; from whom first strife begun
Betwixt Atrides, king of men, and Thetis' godlike son.
“Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Source: In Country Sleep, and Other Poems
from the 1999 book Hating Whitey and Other Progressive Causes.
1990s
2009, Nobel Prize acceptance speech (December 2009)
