Fagles: "Oedipus is beside himself. Racked with anguish, no longer a man of sense, he won't admit the latest prophecies are hollow as the hold-he's at the mercy of every passing voice if the voice tells of terror." (1001-1005)
Roche: " For rampant fancies in a legion raid the mind of Oedipus. He is so far from sense he cannot gauge the present from the past but pins his soul to every word of fear." (48)
I find this translation difference to be interesting. In Roche's translation, the diction confuses me and I had to re-read the sentences a few times before understanding what was being said. In Fagle's translation the diction is made simple and straight to the point; although the second sentence is much longer than Roche's second sentence. The first sentence in Roche's translation is probably describing the current state of Oedipus' mind. In Fagle's translation, that is clearly stated. In the second sentence of both translations, the same meaning is given and understood. If the diction is more modern, then the reader will have a better understanding of what is going on.
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