The words that bore the deathless verse of Homer from bard…
“The words that bore the deathless verse of Homer from bard to a group of fascinated hearers, and with whose fading sounds the poems passed beyond recall, are fixed on the printed page in a hundred tongues. They carry to a million eyes what once could reach but a hundred ears.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote notes that ancient oral poetry, once heard by few, now exists in printed form across many languages, reaching far more readers.
In simple terms: Old poems now reach millions through translation and print.
Key Takeaway
Value the preservation and spread of ancient works.
Themes
history
translation
accessibility
Mood
academic
thoughtful
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- studying classic literature
- teaching poetry
- translating ancient texts
Key Concepts
cultural transmission
literary preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- What value does translation add to ancient works?
- How does widespread access change our perception of poetry?
A Different Perspective
Translations can alter original meanings, losing nuance.