The most famous fabulists

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Fable is the oldest genre of literature, originating in Ancient Greece. It is based on a moralizing story containing morality either in the text of the work itself or in a separate part of it. Traditionally, this genre has a small volume and is written in poetic form. As the main characters, famous fabulists most often choose animals that embody the vices of both the individual and society as a whole.

Development of the genre

The fable is supposed to have originated in Ancient Greece. Its first authors are Stesichorus and Hesiod. However, Aesop achieved the greatest fame, whose works were subsequently used by famous fabulists as the basis for creating works of this genre. Demetrius of Phaler (300 BC) and Babrius (2nd century AD) were less popular.

From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, Jean de La Fontaine, who lived in France in the 17th century, wrote fables, Germanpoet Gellert. In the 18th and 19th centuries, this genre gained great popularity in Russian literature. A. Kantemir, V. K. Trediakovsky, A. P. Sumarokov, I. I. Dmitriev and, of course, I. A. Krylov achieved the greatest fame here.

Aesop - the famous ancient Greek fabulist

This is a fairly well-known and meanwhile mysterious person. Aesop is believed to have lived in the 6th century BC. e. in one of the cities of Thrace or Phrygia.

The main source of information about the fabulist is legends, since it is still not known for certain whether such a person actually existed. He is credited with the creation of small fascinating stories in prose, from which a moralistic meaning flowed. Basically, they were directed against the nobility, which required a special, veiled content. The heroes were conditional animals who spoke a simple language. Hence the popular expression "Aesopian language", which is actively used in our time in the meaning of "allegory".

Interest in the stories of Aesop's fables has always existed. His followers Phaedrus and Flavius Avian translated the texts into Latin. Many of the most famous fabulists of different times used them as the basis for creating their own works. Hence, quite familiar and similar plots in the texts of different authors. Here is one example of Aesop's fable: the wolf saw the shepherds eating sheep, came up and said, addressing them: "What a fuss it would be if I did it."

The work of Jean de La Fontaine

The history of the modern fable begins with the work of a French fabulist who lived in 1621-1695.

His childhood passed close to nature, as his father served in the forest department. Lafontaine did not take the position transferred from his parent seriously and soon ended up in Paris, where he lived all his life, having achieved, by the way, great fame. The doors of almost all the capital's salons were open to him, with the exception of the royal palace: they did not like a free and frivolous poet who did not accept any obligations.

The main fame of the poet is brought by 6 books under the single name "Aesop's Fables, transcribed into verses by M. Lafontaine". They were distinguished by a very good, figurative language, various poetic forms and a special rhythm. The most interesting philosophical reflections and lyrical digressions organically intertwined in the content. The heroes of Lafontaine usually succeeded due to their dexterity and ability to take advantage of the situation.

Fable genre in Russian literature

Interest in the work of Aesop, and then La Fontaine, was observed in many countries, including Russia. As early as the 17th century, the fables of Stephanit and Ikhnilat were known. However, this genre reaches its greatest popularity only after the Petrine era, when truly famous fabulists appear in literature. Russian imitative works of this genre are gradually being replaced by original ones.

The first here were A. Kantemir, who wrote 6 fables in the spirit of Aesop, and V. Trediakovsky, who reworked the works of the ancient Greek poet.

Famous fabulistsA. Sumarokov, I. Khemnitser, I. Dmitriev

The next serious step was taken by A. Sumarokov: there are 334 fables in his creative legacy, most of which are already independent works. These are small lively scenes written in free verse and somewhat rough language. According to the author, this was required by the low calm to which the fables belonged. The works themselves were very reminiscent of a naturalistic scene from everyday life, and the plot came from folklore, which also gave the works a folk character. Sumarokov himself often called them fables-parables, which already defines the author's intention.

In the second half of the 18th century, the collection “Fables and Tales of N. N. in verse”, a feature of whose works was a combination of features of classicism and sentimentalism. The name of the author - I. I. Khemnitser became known to the general reader only two decades later, when the book was republished after the death of the poet. The main features of his fables are well expressed in the epigraph to the second collection: “In nature, in simplicity, he sought the truth …” For the poet, accuracy and logical expression of thought were more important, which limited him in the choice of expressive means. Many noted that, unlike Sumarokov with his "peasant" conversation, Khemnitzer's language was more like a noble speech, smoother and more elegant.

The fabulist I. Dmitriev, who was very friendly with Karamzin, closes this series. This left an imprint on his work. Dmitriev's language is notable for its special ease, smoothness and good taste, and the animal characters express themselveswitty and cute at the same time. It is no coincidence that he was called a reformer in the field of poetic language and the founder of the parlor fable.

In Russian literary criticism, the opinion has been preserved that these famous fabulists managed to reform the language of the works of this genre and laid the foundation for the formation of the work of another famous poet.

Great I. A. Krylov

This poet, known to us since childhood, began with translations of his beloved La Fontaine in 1805, and then tried his hand at different genres for another 6 years.

Krylov's recognition as a fabulist happened in 1811, during which 18 fables were written, 15 of them being original. Bright and well-aimed figurative language, attractive and often unexpected images, almost all of which have become household names, instant responses to the most relevant socio-political events - these are the most essential features of I. Krylov's fables. His works embodied the wisdom and originality of the people and laid the foundations of realism. The creative heritage of I. Krylov includes 340 fables published in 9 collections. Even during the life of the poet, his books were translated into Italian, German, English, French.

It so happened that the famous Russian fabulist I. A. Krylov played a leading role in the development of this genre in all world literature. No one could say better and more than him.