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Fable

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For other uses of the term or its plural, see fable (disambiguation).

In its strict sense a fable is a short story or folk tale embodying a moral, which may be expressed explicitly at the end as a maxim. "Fable" comes from Latin fabula (meaning 'conversation', 'narrative', 'tale') and shares a root with faber, "maker, artificer." Thus, though a fable may be conversational in tone, the understanding from the outset is that it is an invention, a fiction. A fable may be set in verse, though it is usually prose. In its pejorative sense, a fable is a deliberately invented or falsified account.

A fable often, but not necessarily, makes metaphorical use of an animal as its central character. Medieval French fabliaux might feature Reynard the fox, a trickster figure, and offer a subtext that was mildly subversive of the feudal order of society. A familiar theme in Slavic fables is an encounter between a wily peasant and the Devil. But the device of personificatoin may be extended to anything inanimate, such as trees, flowers, stones, streams and winds.

In some usage, "fable" has been extended to include stories with mythical or legendary elements. The word "fabulous" strictly means "pertaining to fables," although in recent decades its metaphorical meanings have been taken to be literal meanings, i.e. "legendary," "mythical," "exaggerated," "incredible." An author of fables is called a fabulist.

History

Fables have long been told. The first notable fabulist was Aesop, a Greek slave ca. 600 B.C. He is considered the father of the genre because 200 fables have been attributed to him, though most of them may have been told earlier. Fables had a further long tradition through the Middle Ages and became part of European literature. During the 17th century, the works of Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) saw the soul of the fable in the moral — a rule of behavior. Starting with the Aesopian pattern, la Fontaine set out to satirize the court, the church, the rising bourgeoisie, indeed the entire human scene of his time.

In modern times, the fable has been trivialized in children's books. Yet it has also been fully adapted to modern literature. For instance, James Thurber used the ancient style in his book, Fables for Our Time; and in a book, The Beast in me, unmasked by fables. George Orwell's Animal Farm satirizes Stalinist Communism in particular, and totalitarianism in general, by using the animal story.

Epicharmus of Kos and Phormis are reported as having been among the first to invent comic fables.[1]

Fable The Game

Fable is a game made by Lionhead studios. About: Fable™ is a ground-breaking role-playing adventure game from Peter Molyneux, in which your every action determines your skills, appearance, and reputation. Create your life story from childhood to death. Grow from an inexperienced adolescent into the most powerful being in the world. Choose the path of righteousness or dedicate your life to evil. Muscles expand with each feat of strength; force of will increases with each work of wit. Obesity follows gluttony, skin tans with exposure to sunlight and bleaches bone-white by moonlight.

Earn scars in battle and lines of experience with age. Each person you aid, each flower you crush, each creature you slay, will change this world forever.

Fable: Who will you be?

Fable: The lost chapters

Based on the best selling award winning Xbox title "Fable", "Fable: The Lost Chapters" is now fully optimized for the Windows platform complete with expanded content, greater customization, new quests and enhanced graphics. In this groundbreaking role-playing adventure game from Lionhead Studios, your every action determines your character's skills, appearance and morality. Your character's life story is created from childhood through to adulthood and on to old age. Grow from an inexperienced child into the most powerful being in the world, spoken of by all and immortalized in legend. As additional story and side quests await, choose the path of righteousness, or dedicate your life to evil, and see yourself transform into a reflection of your actions and decisions. Age leaves you wizened and battle leaves you scarred as you explore the world of Albion and the plethora of expanded and enhanced content.

With experience comes advancement and physical change, whether it be expanding muscles, a keen eye and nimble form, or the buzz of magical energies around your finger tips. As you develop your alter ego, the world reacts to you and your actions. People comment on your successes and failures, your appearance, and your behavior. "Fable: The Lost Chapters" offers Windows gamers even more character customization choices that will impact your appearance. The denizens of Albion's many opinions are expressed through applause, mockery, trepidation, panic, and even flirtation if they feel so inclined. Each person you aid, each flower you crush, each creature you slay, will change this world forever. In "Fable: The Lost Chapters", gamers decide: "Who will I be?"

Format: CD-ROM for the Microsoft® Windows XP operating systems

ESRB Rating: Pending

Availability: Fall 2005


Notable fabulists

Some modern fabulists

Notable fables

See also

Notes

  1. ^ P.W. Buckham, p. 245

References

  • Philip Wentworth Buckham, Theatre of the Greeks, 1827.
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