Memorial: A Version of Homer's Iliad

Focusing on the atmospheric elements of the Iliad, Alice Oswald's work reinterprets the epic by emphasizing its vivid natural imagery and the poignant list of war casualties. Rather than following the traditional narrative, she creates a memorial that honors the lives behind the names, capturing their enduring presence in memory. The poem blends narrative with musical repetition, transforming it into a meditation on the profound loss of human life, offering a fresh perspective on Homer's portrayal of the world.