Translating John Keats into Russian

Understanding Keats' Background and Influences:

Born in 1795, Keats was influenced by his close friends Leigh Hunt and Haydon, as well as poets like Shelley, Hazlitt, and Wordsworth.

Shakespeare was a significant inspiration, particularly in sonnet writing.

Example: Keats admired Shakespeare’s sonnets for their openness and unselfishness and followed this in his own sonnets, like "On Visiting the Tomb of Burns."

Keats' Poetic Themes and Style:

Themes: Nature, beauty, mythology, love, death, and the sublime.

Style: Rich imagery, detailed descriptions, and a blend of the Picturesque and the Sublime.

Forms: Sonnet, ode, and narrative poems.

Example: In "Ode to a Nightingale," Keats uses nature and the imagery of a nightingale to explore themes of mortality and beauty.

Challenges in Translating Keats' Works:

Complex Imagery: Keats' intricate descriptions require careful translation to maintain the vivid imagery and emotional impact.

Rhyming and Meter: Preserving the original rhyme scheme and meter is crucial, especially in stanzas like those in "In a Drear-nighted December."

Cultural Context: Keats’ “Englishness” can be challenging to convey in Russian, as his references are deeply rooted in English culture and literature.

Example:

The rhyme scheme in "In a Drear-nighted December" (ababcc) is essential to convey the melancholic yet playful tone of the poem.

In "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket," the opening line is vital to set the mood, and translations differ in their approaches:

Marshak: «Поет сверчок в полях и в роще кузнечик звонкий»

Pasternak: «Поет кузнечик в поле звонко»

Sukharev: «Поет кузнечик в рощах летних»

Russian Translations and Translators:

Samuel Marshak: Known for his lyrical and smooth translations, emphasizing rhythm and accessibility.

Boris Pasternak: Focused on the philosophical undertones and brought a personal touch.

Sergey Sukharev: Provided a comprehensive collection of Keats' sonnets in Russian, aiming for accuracy and capturing Keats’ spirit.

Example:

In "On the Grasshopper and the Cricket," Marshak, Pasternak, and Sukharev each reflect their styles in the translation of the opening line.

Approaches to Successful Translation:

Literal vs. Free Translation: Finding a balance between literal accuracy and creative adaptation is crucial.

Maintaining Poetic Devices: Retain Keats' use of metaphor, alliteration, and other devices.

Cultural Adaptation: Adjust idioms and references to make them relatable to the target audience while preserving the original meaning.

Example:

In "Ode on a Grecian Urn," the phrase "foster-child of Silence and slow Time" can be translated to capture the metaphor of timeless beauty while reflecting Russian poetic sensibilities.

Practice Translation Examples:

Sonnet Translation: Translating sonnets like "On Visiting the Tomb of Burns" requires maintaining the 14-line structure and rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg).

Ode Translation: Translating odes like "To Autumn" requires preserving the musicality and rich imagery.