Dante's Inferno
Comparing Translations
Read the five different excerpts of Dante's Inferno.
For each translation observe:
(a) the meter, if any, the translator has chosen
(b) the rhyme scheme, if any
(c) choices in vocabulary (formal, archaic, ‘elevated’, casual, quirky etc.)
(d) choices in word order (natural vs. artificial)
(e) why, specifically, you did or did not like the translation
Create a rubric to evaluate multiple translations of the same work. You should have 4-5 criteria, and 3-5 skill levels for each criteria.
Use John Ciardi's translation in your book.
It may be useful to look at the background of blank verse and terza rima as you continue with your rubric.
Finally, here is a review of another translation of Dante's Inferno that might be useful as well.