An anthropomorphic interpretation of Aesop’s fables : the moral coda represented through characterisation within the structure

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to analyse how Aesop’s fables effectively present their moral lesson through the anthropomorphism created by the author. Through this notion of the lesson being visible through anthropomorphic characters, it will explore why it leaves such a strong legacy in today’s dominating culture. The research focuses on John Simons and Boria Sax’s argument against the animal characters having a deep, emotional capacity against Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution stating how anthropomorphism is constructed automatically because of the innate similarities which Empirical speculations hold. However, the research gives its strongest importance to G.K Chesterton who in the light of this argument is seen as the mean between the two extremes as he highlights how the purpose of the characters in Aesop’s fables is the reason why the fable has left such a strong legacy in today’s time.