Theocritus, Idylls and Epigrams

by Theocritus, Daryl Hine (translator)

Book by Theocritus

Genres: Poetry, Classics

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1892

About the author

Theocritus (Greek: Θεόκριτος; born c. 300 BC, died after 260 BC) was a Greek poet from Sicily, Magna Graecia, and the creator of Ancient Greek pastoral poetry.

Reviews

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ci sono dei passaggi estremamente poetici, ma nel complesso non sono proprio entusiasta, comunque sono contenta di aver conosciuto anche questo autore.

[Derek · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a few gems in the work of Theocritus, and his pastoral is quite nice, but nothing to really go crazy about. I am especially fond of his "duel" poems and a particular one about Polyphemus at the sea, pining over Galatea (though there are several about the Cyclops). In all, while I found a great deal of his work incredibly dull (likely due to the language of the translation) I enjoyed some of the imagery and word-play -- there was a lot of, ahem, "pipe fighting" going on in those days.

[Орест Лук'янчук · Rating 4 out of 5]

Українське видання цієї книги чудове, адже наповнене великою кількістю приміток, які дозволяють краще зрозуміти контекст рядків Теокріта. Хоча інколи й набридало постійно на них відволікатися і гортати книгу туди сюди. Найбільше до вподоби були ідилії про буденні справи та змагання пастухів, адже завдяки ним можна краще зрозуміти, яким було повсякденне життя селян у ті часи.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daryl Hine translation

[Kevin Yee]

Idylls: (tr. J.M. Edmonds)

[Nicolas Shump]

The version of The Idylls by Theocritus I read was a translation by Daryl Hine, though I cannot speak to the accuracy of the translation from the ancient Greek. Hine is somewhat chippy about other translators however.
This work is much more bawdy and erotic than I expected. Very homoerotic 'pastoral' poems that make me look at Richard Rodriguez's use "the pastoral" in a different light. I'm also reminded of Ginsburg on occasion and even hip hop, because often there is a contest of sorts between two shepherd/poets. The language is not ornamental, but rather plain like the work of Hesiod. I don't see much of the bucolic trope of later pastoral poets like Virgil or Milton. Nevertheless there is a strong undercurrent of desire in these poems.

[Riccardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Non ti vantare; in un soffio, come un sogno ti passa accanto la giovinezza".