Fable

//__Fable __//


 * Definition:: (n.) A fictitious narrative or statement; a story not founded on fact. Animal characters are commonly used and these types of stories are usually meant to teach a lesson. **


 * Origin:: ** The word "fable" comes from the Latin word "fabula", meaning "story" or "discourse".


 * See also:: Parable **

Definition taken from The Oxford English Dictionary- Online ( http://www.oed.com/)

1) The idea of a fable relates back to our readings from the Classical and Medieval time period.These stories that were not founded on fact set the foundation for present fairy tales and the short story itself. One example of a fable from our readings, //Authun and the Bear//, presents a story that is not founded upon facts and truths, rather on a fictitious tale about a man who achieves great fortune through a fine set of diplomatic skills. The whole story represents a fable because none of the characters nor events within this story ever existed or occurred. It is simply a tale reflecting Viking literature and Norse culture, nothing more.
 * Examples ** from text:

2) The story //Pride of Baghdad// is also a fine example of fable. In this reading, lions, with human characteristics like speech and developed personalities, flee from their zoo which is in the middle of war-torn Baghdad. By definition, this story is not founded on fact by any means, animal characters- lions- are the main characters of the story, but a clear lesson cannot be learned from this fable. The journey of these lions is meant to show the reader, from the Iraqi perspective, the seemingly minor, insignificant costs of war, rather than the human death and suffering that people experience everyday in Iraq.

3) The lais (short-song poem) //Bisclavret// is one of the more intriguing stories we read in regards to having the characteristics of a fable. The story was not founded on fact, it was more intended on being an item of entertainment for upper class people (royalty at the time it was written). Yet again, animal characters are used. However, these characters are more along the lines of human-animal morphations (these types of stories were popular in the Middle Ages and classical era). Bisclavret actually translates to "the werewolf" and the werewolf in this story is trapped in monster form by the treachery of his wife, who wants revenge on her husband. In the end, however, the wife's plan of revenge backfires and she is punished by being banished from the country. The lesson for the reader to learn from this story is: be careful how you attempt to get back at someone, for if it is not thought out well, it could back fire on you and bring upon serious consequences.

(JH)