The Fables of La Fontaine
The fables listed below are not necessarily an analysis of a fable by Jean de La Fontaine (1621 – 1695). A few have been used to reflect current events.
I usually list or quote the Æsopic equivalent of a fable by La Fontaine. If so, I use the Perry Index classification, a number, of the corresponding Æsopic fable. There are many versions of Æsopic fables as they have been rewritten by several authors. Marie de France (12th century [Anglo-Norman]), Walter of England (12th century [Anglo-Norman]) and Jean de La Fontaine (17th century [French]) wrote Æsopic fables, but Jean de La Fontaine made Æsop’s fables La Fontaine’s fables.
If one is looking for versions of a fable, one’s best guide is Laura Gibbs’ Bestiaria Latina (mythfoklore.net/aesopica). I have written posts on several fables and examined elements such as how mythological animals differ from mythical animals and have named the genres in which animals are featured. See Anthropomorphism and Zoomorphism.)
A
B
The Bear and the Gardener, “L’Ours et l’amateur des jardins”
C
The Cat’s Only Trick, “Le Chat et le Renard” (IX.14) (The Cat and the Fox) (10 May 2013)
The Cat Metamorphosed into a Maid, by Jean de La Fontaine, “La Chatte métamorphosée en femme” (II.18) (20 July 2013)
“Le Chêne et le Roseau” (The Oak and the Reed): the Moral (I.22) (28 September 2013)
The Cock and the Pearl, La Fontaine cont’d (I.20), “Le Coq et la Perle” (I.20) (10 October 2013)
D
F
La Fontaine’s “The Fox and the Grapes,” “Le Renard et les Raisins” (III.11) (23 September 2013)
The Fox & Crane, or Stork, “Le Renard et la Cigogne” (I.18) (30 May 2013)
The Fox & Crane, or Stork (I.18) (30 September 2014)
The Frogs Who Desired a King, a Fable for our Times, “Les Grenouilles qui demandent un roi,”(III, 4) (12 November 2016)
The Frogs Who Desired a King (III.4) (18 August 2011)
G
H
The Hen with the Golden Eggs, “La Poule aux œufs d’or” (V.8) (1 June 2013)
“…the humble pay the cost” (II.4), “Les Deux Taureaux et une Grenouille,” The Two Bulls and the Frog (II.4) (29 September 2015)
M
The Man and the Snake, “L’Homme et la Couleuvre” (X.1) (9 November 2011)
The Miller, his Son, and the Donkey, quite a Tale, “Le Meunier, son fils et l’âne” (III.1) (16 May 2013)
A Motif: Getting Stuck in a Hole, “La Belette entrée dans un grenier,” (III.17) (16 April 2013)
Another Motif: The Tail-Fisher, “Le Renard ayant la queue coupée” (V.5) (20 April 2013)
The Mouse Metamorphosed into a Maid, by Jean de La Fontaine, “La Souris métamorphosée en fille” (II.18) (30 July 2013)
N
The North Wind and the Sun, “Phébus et Borée” (VI.3) (16 April 2013)
O
The Oak Tree and the Reed ,“Le Chêne et le Roseau,” (I.22) (28 September 2013)
“Le Chêne et le Roseau” (The Oak and the Reed): the Moral (I.22) (28 September 2013)
P
The North Wind and the Sun, “Phébus et Borée” (VI.3) (16 April 2013)
T
Fables and Parables: the Ineffable (The Two Doves, “Les Deux Pigeons”) (12 June 2018)
The Two Doves, “Les Deux Pigeons” (IX.2) (24 May 2018)
“…the humble pay the cost” (II.4), “Les Deux Taureaux et une Grenouille,” The Two Bulls and the Frog (II.4) (29 September 2015)
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, “Le Rat de ville et le Rat des champs” (I.9) (18 August 2013)
The Two Rats, the Fox and Egg: The Soul of Animals, “Les Deux Rats, le Renard, et l’Œuf” (IX. last fable) (15 May 2013)
Y
You can’t please everyone: Æsop retold, “Le Meunier, son fils, et l’âne” (X.1) (21 March 2012)
Theory
Fables and Parables: the Ineffable (The Two Doves, “Les Deux Pigeons”) (12 June 2018)
Fables: varia (12 March 2017)
Anthropomorphism and Zoomorphism (6 March 2017)
To Inform or Delight (29 March 2013)
Texts and Classification
La Fontaine’s Fables Compiled & Walter Crane (25 September 2013)
Musée Jean de La Fontaine, Site officiel (complete fables FR/EN)
Perry Index (classification of Æsop’s Fables)
La Fontaine & Æsop: Internet Resources
Aarne-Thompson-Uther (classification of folk tales)
I’m working on doves and roses as symbols.
Love to everyone ♥
© Micheline Walker
15 June 2018
WordPress
Hi MIcheline,
Not this topic, forgive me, but you might know – are there authentic portraits of Marie Duplessis?
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Is this the attempt of enzyklopedical coverage? Even if not: Great idea to have acollection ready for any demand probably arising. What a great cultural connection: from La Fontain to Phaedrus to Aisopos: We may say, we are in need to listen to antique Greekstories of the GOD- S and their ever changing METAMORPHOSES as was the special interest of OVID. In all: terrifying LOTS of work, but NEEDED indeed especially in our times trying the strange experiment of growth without proper roots.
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This is not an attempt at encyclopedic coverage, but the fruit of curiosity and the wish to keep matters organized. If I did not have a list, it would be difficult for me to trace my way back to fables that I have loved and have been a source of inspiration. I would forget.
La Fontaine’s fables begins in India and Mesopotamia, or Mesopotamia and India, moves to Greece (but Aesop is a Levantin). He enters the “learned” tradition with Phaedrus and Babrius who keep being retold.
Metamorphoses is central to La Fontaine. In the age of Louis XIV, one could not speak except obliquely. So, he made animals, rocks, mountains, the elements speak with incredible eloquence.
I thank you for writing. Best regards….
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So far, I have accessed just a few of these – enough to recognise your usual fine analyses.
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Derrick, La Fontaine’s wrote exquisite fables. He had been housed by Nicolas Fouquet and wrote to Louis XIV asking for clemency. Louis XIV was jealous because Vaux-le-Vicomte was a more beautiful castle than the Louvre. He spent some twenty years as Madame de la Sablière’s house guest. She died in 1693 at which point Monsieur and Madame d’Hervart rushed to rescue him. Louis XIV would not allow La Fontaine to be named to the French academy until very late. Madame de la Sablière had the library he needed, but as importantly, a fine mind and a king heart. His fables are a treasure. Thank you for writing. Micheline
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