Who is Aesop? The fabulist Aesop is the creator of the fable genre. Biography and creativity

Who is Aesop? The answer to this question is required to know every person who likes such instructive literary works as fables. Ancient Greek writer is considered almost the father-founder of the genre, but the existence of this character is still unproven. His biography consists, rather, of legends, many of which contradict each other than from reliable facts.

The fabulist Aesop is a man or a legend?

For the first time in the existence of this character questioned in the XVI century, Martin Luther, before him, no one disputed the fact of the life of the ancient Greek writer. Since then, the discussion has not stopped, the scientists have divided into several camps, offering different versions of the answer to the question of who is Aesop.

Supporters of the theory, which confirms the writer's historicity, lead a lot of arguments that can indirectly prove its existence. However, even they are not able to deny the fact that nothing is known about the appearance that fabulist Aesop had. In biographies, considering his personality, he is endowed with various features. There is even a popular version, saying that the fabulist was a hunchback, possessed an extremely repulsive appearance.

The character of the sage is described by all authors approximately equally. Who is Aesop, if you trust their characteristics? A cunning, quirky person, endowed with a sharp mind and sense of humor, capable of deceiving anyone. Often, he is credited with such qualities as grumbling, spitefulness. However, these characteristics are also practically not confirmed by facts, only legends preserved.

Biography of the writer

The fabulist Aesop, if you believe in his existence, was born in the 6th century BC. All the popular legends about its origin testify that the writer was born and grew up in slavery, this fact is not disputed by historians. The most common version says that this man was the property of the owner, whose name was Jadmon, who lived on the island of Samos. This theory became widespread thanks to the Greek historian Herodotus, who insisted on it.

Who is Aesop, if we assume that the information that Herodotus possessed is correct? The scientist claimed that the writer was a freedman, fell at the hands of the Delphic priests. At the same time, Jadmon insisted on the ransom that he received from the temple attendants. It is assumed that the execution of a wise man is connected with his ridicule over the god Apollo, who could not stand the people who worshiped him.

There is another version, insisting that the owner of Aesop was Xanthus, and the writer appeared in Thrace in the light. The basis for such statements was the study of fables attributed to the semi-legendary hero, as well as the processing of information provided by Herodotus.

What is known about the fables

Was there a person named Aesop in reality, or is it just a beautiful legend? He is credited with the creation of more than 450 fables. It is assumed that the works were written in a poetic form, but the original was not preserved. The fables of Aesop reached our contemporaries in the form of retellings, are set out in prose. It is also believed that initially they traveled from generation to generation in oral form.

The first who united the works of the fabulist into volumes, was Demetrius of Faler, at least his works are the most ancient of the known. In the third century BC, Demetrius created 10 books, unfortunately, they were lost more than 10 centuries ago. Then translate the fables into Latin and write down other scientists, for example, Flavius Avian.

Features of works

Aesop's discourse on the world had a great influence on many writers who lived much later than the legendary character. No wonder, because they invented a whole universe, the inhabitants of which were animals, birds, insects. Since people are not heroes of works, an instructive lesson takes on an allegorical character.

The stories attributed to the fabulist fascinate with laconism, simplicity and plainness of morality. The object of ridicule in them are vices, from which people could not get rid of to this day. This gives Aesop's works a permanent relevance. Instructive completion is a characteristic feature of all fables, without exception. The person who reads them does not have to guess on their own where the main character was mistaken.

The writer offers readers to reflect on their own behavior, actions, views of the world around them, to separate true values from false ones. His works are useful for people of all ages, from the youngest children. The latter is still better acquainted with instructive creativity with the help of fables by Krylov.

Plots of works

Many fictional subjects, written by Aesop, are familiar to people from early childhood. Hardly anyone heard of children who, in vain searching for their father's inheritance, dug up the whole vineyard. About a fox who, not by force, but by cunning and flattery, took the food from the raven, leaving the unfortunate bird in fools. About a fox that justified its inability to obtain grapes, located on a too high branch, because it is not yet ripe. About how the flea was caught, and what happened.

Influence on other writers

Russian Aesop - the so-called writer Ivan Krylov, whose work the works of the ancient Greek sage really had a colossal influence. To see this, it's enough just to remember the famous story about a crow, fox and cheese, and then compare it with the "original". Indeed, almost all the stories of popular Krylov fables are taken from works that have survived from ancient times. This does not mean that the writer can be accused of plagiarism. It is his works, written in simple language, ideal for reading to young children, are considered an impeccable example of the modern genre.

Those who like the fables of Krylov and Aesop, can pay attention to the work of other writers who actively used the ancient Greek stories as a source of inspiration. For example, the works of the Frenchman Jean de Lafontaine, "simplified" translations of Leo Tolstoy.