Aesop’s Fables: A Look at Terminology, Genre, and Themes
Aesop’s Fable Genre Terminology
Several Greek terms were used to describe the genre we call Aesop’s fables. This fluctuating terminology suggests that the genre’s form and content were not clearly defined. Even in ancient times, Hesiod used terms like ‘‡ noj,’ which generally meant ‘tale’ or ‘riddle.’ The fable is indeed a kind of enigma, as the real problem sometimes lies not in the statement but in the solution or outcome, which the listener often has to guess or understand. The Latin word ‘fabula,‘ meaning ‘tale’ in Castilian, is related to ‘fari’ (to speak), ‘infans’ (infant, one who cannot speak), and ‘Fatum’ (oracle, destiny).
Gender of Fable
Definition
We could define the fable as a literary composition, in prose or verse, that uses fiction, allegory, and personification. Irrational animals, inanimate objects, or abstract ideas convey practical teachings, sometimes even with human and divine intervention.
Types
- Situational Fables: These fables present a character in a given situation, leading to certain conclusions.
- Agonale or Confrontational Fables: These are the most fundamental and numerous types. Two (or sometimes more) characters dispute something.
- Etiological Fables: The action in these fables unfolds with a single character and doesn’t necessarily illustrate an approach to follow. Instead, they explain a reality, a past injury, the beginning of time, or the cause of a gift or divine punishment.
Ideology of Fable
Allegory of Characters and Social Criticism
Characters in Aesop’s fables are expressed allegorically, often reflecting human society and embodying virtues and vices. They are prototypes of specific behaviors, offering a worldview of their time and the situations in which humans adopt certain behaviors. In Greek fables, each character typically embodies a particular trait or quality, representing the entire species as if only a single representative exists. Animals are particularly important in these tales.
Strength and intelligence significantly influence the characters’ actions. Intelligence holds greater importance, as the victorious character is usually the more intelligent, not the stronger. This intellectual primacy gives the story its true teaching and learning value. Even when force prevails through despotism and cruelty, the reader understands that the absence of comprehensive intelligence leads to injustice and unreason.
Government becomes the absolute tyranny of the fittest, who rule through force. The characters reflect the cynicism prevalent during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, where absolute power reigned. Some key characters include:
- The Fox: The main protagonist in Aesop’s fables, embodying trickery, skill, and cunning to outsmart the strong. The fox represents intelligence, resourcefulness, and wisdom, constantly pushing boundaries to avoid excess. In both Aesopic and Western fables, the fox is wise, cunning, sly, seemingly weak yet resourceful, and capable of outsmarting the powerful, wicked, boastful, and foolish who typically occupy positions of power, praising tyrants and despots. The fox’s role parallels characters like Odysseus and the Hero of Comedy. Homer’s Odyssey describes Odysseus as “many-sided,” “resourceful,” and “very understanding” (polÚtropon), epithets that prioritize intelligence over physical strength.
Cynical Philosophy in Fables
When Socrates raised questions about human conduct and ethics, leading to his imprisonment, Plato’s Phaedo recounts Socrates reciting one of Aesop’s fables in verse. This highlights how fables served as a tool for philosophical speculation, addressing themes like:
- Nature: The Hellenic conception of nature is crucial for understanding Greek religion and thought. They saw nature as inherently divine and sought to understand both the external world and themselves. Cynic philosophers particularly emphasized man’s place in nature.
- Fortune and Wealth: The theme of wealth and its fickleness is central to Aesop’s fables. Fortune, often depicted as a capricious and beautiful woman, was believed to be more powerful than the gods. People sought her favor for a sense of security and stability.
- Other Themes: Aesop’s fables explore various other themes, including:
- Friendship: Often depicted as a cynical alliance between animals of different natures, driven by utilitarian motives.
- Truth and Freedom: Defended at all costs.
- Vanity and Ambition: Severely punished flaws.
- Cunning and Skill: Portrayed as progressive traits challenging the conservatism of Cynicism.
- Human Passions: Emphasized as obstacles to overcome.