The first book of La Fontaine's Fables, published in 1668, brings together 22 poetic fables in which animals, endowed with human traits, cleverly expose the flaws of society. Inspired by Aesop but enriched by La Fontaine’s elegant and witty language, these short stories blend morality and satire. Classics such as The Grasshopper and the Ant (La Cigale et la Fourmi) or The Crow and the Fox (Le Corbeau et le Renard) are featured, offering timeless lessons on pride, cunning, and prudence.
La Fontaine employs varied (sometimes free) verse and a tone that ranges from lighthearted to sharp to portray humanity. Beneath the guise of animal tales, he critiques the royal court (The Wolf and the Lamb, Fable 10) or social inequalities (The Oak and the Reed, Fable 22). His genius lies in the art of conveying profound truths without heavy moralizing, thanks to irony and subtlety.
This first collection, dedicated to the Dauphin (son of Louis XIV), marked the beginning of a lasting success. While accessible to children through their imagery, these fables also captivate adults with their depth. Between humor and wisdom, La Fontaine holds up a mirror to the world—a literary legacy that remains vibrant even today.
역자: 민현식
번역:
페스카라 이야기
페스카라 이야기 번역노트
자기만의 방 번역노트 I
이런 쇼펜하우어, 고통에 대하여
이런 쇼펜하우어, 여자에 대하여
이런 쇼펜하우어, 자살에 대하여
어린왕자 (Le petit prince 불역)
어린왕자 (The little prince 영역)
어른을 위한 동화, 라퐁텐 이야기 (불한 번역)
어른을 위한 동화, 라퐁텐 이야기 (영한 번역)
어른을 위한 동화, 라퐁텐 이야기 (불영 번역)
ean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) was one of the most influential French poets of the 17th century and is best known for his Fables, which have become classics of world literature. Drawing on sources such as Aesop’s fables, Indian tales like the Panchatantra, and Eastern traditions, La Fontaine transformed these moral stories into elegant French verse, rich in irony, wit, and philosophical insight. His works reflect the complexities of human nature through the voices of talking animals, allowing him to critique society under the guise of simple tales.
Born in Château-Thierry in northern France, La Fontaine was originally trained in law but soon turned to literature, gaining the patronage of influential figures such as Nicolas Fouquet and Madame de La Sablière. His Fables, published in several volumes between 1668 and 1694, span over 240 stories and are considered masterpieces of poetic storytelling. Each fable typically ends with a moral lesson, often targeting the vanity, greed, or hypocrisy of mankind, making them relevant far beyond their original historical context.
Though not a political figure or a courtier, La Fontaine observed the absolutist monarchy of Louis XIV with a keen and critical eye. In 1684, he was elected to the prestigious Académie Française, despite some resistance. He died in 1695, but his legacy endures: The Fables are taught in French schools to this day and remain widely read for their timeless wisdom, lyrical beauty, and subtle satire of human behavior.