The New Yorker: Poetry
Mary Jo Bang Discusses Purgatorio
Dec 23, 2019
Poet and Dante translator Mary Jo Bang discusses the challenges and joys of translating Purgatorio. Topics include the emotional evolution of Dante's character, the relevance of Dante's poetry in the modern world, analyzing character voices in the poem, and contemplating tackling the translation of Paradiso.
37:34
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Quick takeaways
- Translating Dante's Purgatorio involves balancing historical accuracy with emotional connection.
- Capturing character voices is crucial for enriching translations and bringing characters to life.
Deep dives
Mary Jo Bang's Translation Journey with Dante's Purgatorio
Mary Jo Bang, a renowned translator, recounts her translation journey with Dante's Purgatorio. Inspired by a found poem of the Inferno, she decided to undertake the challenge of translating the entire Divine Comedy. Intrigued by the interplay of translations and the freedom translators can have, she embarked on the Purgatorio after the Inferno.
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