Homer: Best read in silence of recited?

[MarxSchmarx]

Many of Homer's works (Iliad, Odyssey) were meant to be recited by bards. However, most of us know them through the written word on a page that we read in the privacy of our own spaces.

So, even in translation, do you think Homer should still be read as was intended, as a recitation, or is it fine, as our predecessors have done, to read Homer on the printed page?

[JustMovement]

A couple of points, Homer wrote epic poetry with meter. Since it was not originally written down, but was recited and passed down orally, the meter was actually not just about style but also a tool to help memorise it.

I think poetry generally should be read aloud, however since presumably you are not reading it in the original ancient greek, and because I think most decent english versions of homer do not retain any kind of meter, you are ok not reading it aloud.

[PhoenixAsh]

I think it doesn't matter at all but depends on the preference of the one wanting to get to know the story. Personally I read both and I heard both being read (badly).

[MarxSchmarx]

I also wanted to know whether people preferred it to be read aloud or if they preferred it to be read in quiet contemplation After all in matters of taste there is certainly no right or wrong answer :)

[CornetJoyce]

My Greek pronunciation is not good enough to read aloud but my wife was a classics major and she recites chunks of Homer and Sappho from memory, and I enjoy it
When I read translations of Homer years ago, I read many massages aloud.