: Baricco uses contemporary, rhythmic prose (based on the translation by Maria Grazia Ciani) to make the text engaging for modern audiences.
In Baricco’s Iliade , the gods often feel distant or are removed entirely from the action. This shifts the focus squarely onto human agency. The war becomes a purely human tragedy, where men are not victims of divine whims, but victims of their own passions and errors. This existential lens makes the story feel surprisingly modern, resonating with contemporary audiences who value character psychology over mythological mechanics. omero iliade di alessandro baricco pdf 413
Crucially, Baricco removes the gods from the physical battlefield. In Homer, the gods intervene constantly, pulling spears away or guiding arrows. In Baricco’s version, the gods are silent, or perhaps they have retreated into the hearts of the men. This makes the war a purely human endeavor—a chaotic mess of choices, regrets, and blood, without divine excuses. Crucially, Baricco removes the gods from the physical