Prudence and freedom in two fables by Félix María de Samaniego.

Abstract

In the present research I deal with two fables by Félix María de Samaniego, entitled “La Hormiga y la Cigarra” and “El Perro y el Lobo”. In those didactic-moral compositions I analyze two virtues weighted by classical thought, which represented a couple of recurring themes in the fabulous world: prudence and freedom. The objective is to reassess from a critical point of view the ethics of this gender, which is usually subject to children. In this way, I intend to recognize the ideological background of those fables, which, as suggested by Plato in his Republic or Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his Emilio o de l'Education, could produce in children’s mentality a detachment from important values; among them prudence or freedom, and which ultimately leads to the normalization of cruel and individualistic behaviour.