Plutarch's Lives: Editions and Translations

The video discusses the best English translations of Plutarch's Lives, comparing free and paid options. Free translations include those by Thomas North, John Dryden, and Bernadotte Perrin, available online. Paid options include Modern Library, Penguin, and Oxford editions, each with unique features. The speaker provides recommendations based on the reader's needs, such as completeness or paper quality, and concludes with a preference for the Landmark style for its helpful map placement.

What is the main challenge when choosing an English translation of Plutarch's Lives?

• Finding a translation with modern language

• Deciding between free and paid options

• Locating a complete set of translations

• Understanding the original Greek text

Who was the original English translator of Plutarch's Lives?

• John Dryden

• Bernadotte Perrin

• Thomas North

• Hugh Arthur Clow

Which famous playwright used Thomas North's translations for his plays?

• Christopher Marlowe

• Ben Jonson

• George Bernard Shaw

• William Shakespeare

What is a notable feature of the Modern Library edition of Plutarch's Lives?

• It uses a completely new translation

• It is the most affordable option

• It is available only in digital format

• It includes all of Plutarch's works in one volume

Which edition is known for its black spines and newsprint gray paper?

• Landmark

• Penguin

• Oxford

• Modern Library

How many volumes are needed to complete Plutarch's Lives in the Penguin edition?

• Four

• Six

• Eight

• Two

What is a downside of the Oxford edition of Plutarch's Lives?

• It lacks any introductory material

• It is the most expensive option

• It includes only 28 of the 46 lives

• It is printed on low-quality paper

What does the narrator prefer in terms of map placement in translations?

• No maps included

• Maps at the end of the book

• Maps placed throughout the text

• Maps at the beginning of the book

Which style of map placement is becoming more popular according to the narrator?

• Landmark style

• Modern Library style

• Penguin style

• Oxford style

What is the narrator's overall recommendation for those who want to read all of Plutarch's Lives?

• Purchase the Penguin edition

• Mix and match different editions

• Choose the free online versions

• Buy the Modern Library hardcover