Emily Wilson: Reading The Iliad | LIVE from NYPL

The groundbreaking translator and professor of classics reads from and discusses her masterful new English version of the greatest literary landmark of antiquity. For event details and more, visit www.nypl.org/events/programs/...
READ THE BOOK
- NYPL Catalog: nypl.na2.iiivega.com/search/c...
- The Library Shop - proceeds benefit The New York Public Library: shop.nypl.org/collections/eve...
LIVE FROM NYPL
- Upcoming Events: nypl.org/live
- Sign up for our newsletters: pages.email.nypl.org/updates
Emily Wilson spent nearly a decade wrestling with her translation of the great Homeric epic, The Iliad, which she calls, “the most gripping and heartbreaking work of literature I know.” The poem, she writes, “evokes human greatness and human vulnerability…even now, when I turn back to lines I have read hundreds of times already, I find that the raw power of the Greek still startles me.” Wilson reads from her translation (and perhaps some in the original Greek as well!), and discusses the clamor of arms, the bellowing boasts, the fury, and grief that define the thrilling, magical, and emotionally complex poem.
Actors Ben Shenkman and Morgan Spector will read selections from Wilson's translation.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Emily Wilson is the College for Women Class of 1963 Term Professor in the Humanities and a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been named a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome in Renaissance and Early Modern scholarship, a MacArthur Fellow, and a Guggenheim Fellow. Her best-selling 2017 translation of Homer’s Odyssey has achieved “canonical status,” according to The Atlantic and The Washington Post. Her translation of The Iliad has just been released by Norton. In addition, she has also published translations of Sophocles, Euripides, and Seneca, as well as books about tragedy, Socrates, and Seneca, and serves as an editor of The Norton Anthology of World Literature.
Ben Shenkman recently completed his seventh season of Billions and recurred on The Good Fight, Peacock's The Calling, and Robert & Michelle King's limited series The Bite.
He had regular roles on Shondaland's ABC series For the People and five seasons of Royal Pains, recurred on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and was featured in HBO's acclaimed The Night of and Angels in America (Emmy and Golden Globe noms.). Movie credits include The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Gotham award), Blue Valentine, Then She Found Me, and Pi.
On Broadway he appeared in Larry David's Fish in the Dark, Sight Unseen and Proof (Tony nom.)
Morgan Spector, a luminary of stage and screen, captivates audiences with his dynamic portrayals across film, theater, and television. His classical training infuses each performance with depth and authenticity, earning him widespread acclaim.
In his upcoming film I Don't Understand You, which navigates the challenges of an American couple stranded in rural Italy, Spector plays the role of “Massimo,” a portrayal that premiered on March 8, 2024 at SXSW to eager audiences. Recently, he reprised his lead role in HBO's The Gilded Age, alongside a stellar cast, garnering a SAG Award nomination and anticipation for the upcoming Season 3; to begin production later this year.
Notable for his role in David Simon's The Plot Against America, Spector's talent extends to television, with appearances in acclaimed series such as Homeland and Boardwalk Empire. His cinematic endeavors include roles in award-winning films like Nanny and A Vigilante, showcasing his versatility and depth as an actor.
With a rich stage background, including Broadway performances and off-Broadway acclaim, Spector's journey from the American Conservatory Theater to New York stages exemplifies his dedication to the craft. Beyond acting, Spector's involvement in Audible's The Miranda Obsession and his directorial short (Mother!!) and producer credits (The Big Scary ‘S’ Word) accentuate his multifaceted talent.
Residing in New York with his family, Spector continues to enrich the world of entertainment with his unparalleled artistry and commitment to storytelling.
The New York Public Library welcomes your comments and invites you to participate in conversations on NYPL social media platforms.
To make the experience better for all of our social media followers, we ask that you keep your comments relevant to the original post. Off-topic comments may be removed to ensure that the conversation remains productive.