Introduction

In the pantheon of great French writers, Jean de La Fontaine holds a special place. This 17th-century poet is primarily known for his fables that have stood the test of time, but who was he truly? Let’s embark on a journey through his life, his era, and, of course, his iconic works.

A Brief Biography

Born on July 8, 1621, in Château-Thierry, to a bourgeois family, La Fontaine received a classical education. After studying theology, he turned to law and became a lawyer. However, his passion for literature soon took over.

Introduced to the court of Louis XIV, he enjoyed the patronage of several dignitaries, including Finance Superintendent Nicolas Fouquet. However, his tendency to critique, even subtly, the authorities earned him periods of ostracism.

The Fables: A Mirror to Society

La Fontaine’s fables, partly inspired by Aesop and Phaedrus, are more than simple children’s tales. They paint a satirical portrait of the society of his time, using animals to represent human vices and virtues.

“La Cigale et la Fourmi” (The Grasshopper and the Ant)

La Cigale, ayant chanté
Tout l’été,
Se trouva fort dépourvue
Quand la bise fut venue :
Pas un seul petit morceau
De mouche ou de vermisseau.
Elle alla crier famine
Chez la Fourmi sa voisine,
La priant de lui prêter
Quelque grain pour subsister
Jusqu’à la saison nouvelle.
« Je vous paierai, lui dit-elle,
Avant l’Oût, foi d’animal,
Intérêt et principal. »

The Grasshopper, having sung
All summer long,
Found herself without a bit
When the north wind came along:
Not a single little morsel
Of fly or worm.
She went and cried her hunger
To the Ant, her neighbor,
Begging her to lend some grain
So she might survive until the next season.
"I'll pay you," she said,
"Before August, animal's promise,
Both interest and principal."

This fable emphasizes the value of hard work and foresight against frivolity and unpreparedness.

“Le Corbeau et le Renard” (The Crow and the Fox)

Maître Corbeau, sur un arbre perché,
Tenait en son bec un fromage.
Maître Renard, par l’odeur alléché,
Lui tint à peu près ce langage :
« Eh ! bonjour, Monsieur du Corbeau.
Que vous êtes joli ! que vous me semblez beau !
Sans mentir, si votre ramage
Se rapporte à votre plumage,
Vous êtes le Phénix des hôtes de ces bois. »
À ces mots le Corbeau ne se sent pas de joie ;
Et pour montrer sa belle voix,
Il ouvre un large bec, laisse tomber sa proie.
Le Renard s’en saisit, et dit : « Mon bon Monsieur,
Apprenez que tout flatteur
Vit aux dépens de celui qui l’écoute :
Cette leçon vaut bien un fromage, sans doute. »
Le Corbeau, honteux et confus,
Jura, mais un peu tard, qu’on ne l’y prendrait plus.

Master Crow perched on a tree,
Holding a cheese in his beak.
Master Fox, enticed by the smell,
Addressed him in this manner:
"Ah! Hello, Mr. Crow.
How pretty you are! How beautiful you seem to me!
Truly, if your song
Matches your plumage,
You are the Phoenix of these woods."
At these words, the Crow was overjoyed;
And to display his fine voice,
He opened his wide beak and dropped his prey.
The Fox snapped it up and said, "Good sir,
Learn that every flatterer
Lives at the expense of the one who listens to him.
This lesson is surely worth a cheese, no doubt."
The Crow, ashamed and embarrassed,
Swore, but a bit too late, that he wouldn’t be fooled again.

The fox, with his flatteries, manages to deceive the crow, illustrating the pitfalls of vanity.

Historical Context

Jean de La Fontaine lived during the 17th century, a pivotal era in French history known as the Grand Siècle (Great Century). It was a period marked by the absolute monarchy under Louis XIV and the flourishing of French arts, literature, and science. La Fontaine’s fables, such as “The Crow and the Fox” and “The Frog and the Ox,” are reflective of this era’s social and political dynamics. While seemingly simple animal tales on the surface, these fables delve deep into human nature and societal structures, offering subtle critiques of vanity, pride, and the abuse of power. “The Crow and the Fox” underscores the dangers of flattery and the gullibility of those desperate for validation. In contrast, “The Frog and the Ox” warns against envy and the peril of overreaching beyond one’s limits. Both fables serve as timeless reminders of human weaknesses, emphasizing the need for wisdom and self-awareness.