Reynard the Fox
This week, we return to Europe. We will focus on one character who emerged from medieval fables to become the hero in his own “beast” epic. We will then trace his legacy through to the early 20th Century.
Day 1 – Roman de Renart
In the 12th century, Marie de France told the story of the Cock and the Fox, and by the next century, Fox became the hero of his own epic, the Roman de Renart. The Cock and the Fox of fable become Chantecler and Renart.
The Cock and the Fox by Marie de France
English summary of the tale of Renart and Chanticleer from Roman de Renart
For Francophone Students
Read along as you listen to the tale of Renart and Chanticleer from the Roman de Renart – To Listen & To Read (scroll down to Livre 2).
Write two or more sentences in response to each of the following questions – In what ways is this story a fable? In what ways is it different from the previous fables that you have read thus far? First, state a similarity or a difference, then support the similarity or difference with a detail from the story.
Day 2 – The Canterbury Tales
At the end of the fourteenth century, Geoffrey Chaucer gave this fable to the nun’s priest to tell. Listen and read along to the story of Chauntecleer and a fox in his Canterbury Tales.
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale The Nun’s Priest’s Tale – Chaucer Storybook – Canterbury Tales – Modern Prose
Think about fables and the giving of proper names to animals. Trace the development from Marie de France to Chaucer of naming or not naming the fox and the cock. Write one sentence on each fable, describing who is named, who is not named, and why or why not.
Day 3 – William Caxton’s History of Reynard the Fox
Towards the end of the next century, another Englishman translated a Dutch version into English. Read along as you listen to the first five chapters, the last of which is about Chanticleer and Reynard. Is there a moral here? What is the lesson of this story? Refer directly to the text with specific examples to support what you think the lesson is.
Day 4 – Chantecler by Edmond Rostand, Renard by Igor Stravinsky
In the early 20th century a French dramatist and a Russian composer put the characters of Chanticleer and Reynard on stage. Watch a little bit of each. What do you think of them? Are fables good material for drama? Ballet? Write three sentences supporting your opinion.
“Chantecler” de Rostand en 1910
Igor Stravinsky – Renard (Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez)
Also, have you been thinking about the fable that you will write? Have you thought of the moral that you would like to impart?
Nihil sub sole novum 