Abstract

BIZZARRI, Hugo O.. Esopete ystoriado and the Theories about Fabling. Acta poét [online]. 2011, vol.32, n.2, pp.55-73. ISSN 2448-735X.

This paper recounts the traits of the fable, from its Greek origins and its revival by Roman authors -who wrote the first theoretical thoughts on the genre-, to its insertion in the exemplum. It comments on the persistence and spread of the Aesop-style fable and several Aesopic signs used by the Middle-Age fabulists, the indoctrinating purpose of these stories and their distinct reflexive nature, which distinguishes them from other 'short' genres. After outlining the origin of the fable, its aim and importance, in addition to its possible oriental influences, the author deals with Esopete ystoriado (a late 15th Century Castilian translation of the work by Heinrich Steinhöwels), which includes fables by Aesop and by later authors, as well as Planudes' "La vida de Esopo" ["The Life of Aesop"]. Aside from adding a new fable to the Latin/German original, the Castilian author makes a remarkable original contribution: the very definition of the fable genre.

Keywords : Fable; Aesop; exemplum; Esopete ystoriado.