Name: Aesop's Fables
Author: Aesop
ISBN: 9780191606281

Aesop's Fables

Aesop

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Author Description

'The story goes that a sow who had delivered a whole litter of piglets loudly accosted a lioness. "How many children do you breed?" asked the sow. "I breed only one", said the lioness, "but it is very well bred!"' The fables of Aesop have become one of the most enduring traditions of European culture, ever since they were first written down nearly two millennia ago. Aesop was reputedly a tongue-tied slave who miraculously received the power of speech; from his legendary storytelling came the collections of prose and verse fables scattered throughout Greek and Roman literature. First published in English by Caxton in 1484, the fables and their morals continue to charm modern readers: who does not know the story of the tortoise and the hare, or the boy who cried wolf? This new translation is the first to represent all the main fable collections in ancient Latin and Greek, arranged according to the fables' contents and themes. It includes 600 fables, many of which come from sources never before translated into English. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

A collection of ancient moralistic tales uses anthropomorphic animals and human archetypes to illustrate fundamental truths about human behavior and societal conduct. These narratives follow a variety of protagonists, ranging from clever foxes and industrious ants to foolish humans, each encountering situations that test their judgment or character. The stories operate within a framework of brevity, where the narrative arc is compressed to reach a singular, didactic conclusion. The collection utilizes a non-linear structure, presenting distinct, self-contained vignettes that function independently of one another while collectively reflecting the logical and social constraints of the ancient world.

INSIDE THE PAGES

Anthropomorphic animal characters representing human archetypes
Didactic moral lessons appended to each narrative
Concise, minimalist prose style
Satirical commentary on social hierarchies and power dynamics
Exploration of virtues such as prudence, humility, and foresight
Critique of vices including greed, vanity, and deceit
Diverse settings ranging from rural landscapes to domestic spheres
Compilation of both well-known and obscure ancient Greek and Roman sources

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Readers and critics frequently note the enduring relevance of these fables, highlighting how the simple structures effectively communicate complex ethical dilemmas. Discussion often centers on the stark contrast between the innocence of the animal characters and the often cynical or pragmatic nature of the moral conclusions. Many readers appreciate the scholarly rigor of this specific edition, which organizes the vast collection by theme rather than source. The collection is widely regarded as a foundational text that continues to influence modern storytelling and moral education. Critics emphasize that the brevity of the pieces allows for repeated reading and reflection on the underlying social commentary.

Page Count:
356

Publication Date:
2002-01-01

Publisher:
OUP Oxford

ISBN-10:
0191606286

ISBN-13:
9780191606281

Philosophy

English

Short Stories

Classic Literature

Fables

Folklore

Ancient