Kai Le, First-Year Student at Harvard College
Kalila and Dimna is a book containing a collection of fables, translated into Arabic during the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century. The fables contain many animals as main characters as the stories explore various subjects, lessons, and morals. This video delves into specific fables, analyzing portrayals of good and bad rulers to understand medieval conceptions of effective leadership.
Video
Primary Source
Kalila and Dimna, Or, The Fables of Bidpai
Further Reading
Bahaa-eddin, M. Mazid. "Date-palms, language and the power of knowledge: An analysis of a fable from Kalila and Dimna." Journal of pragmatics 41.12 (2009): 2515-2534.
Funci. “Kalīla Wa-Dimna: An Inspiring Literary-Political Fable. - FUNCI - Fundación de Cultura Islámica.” FUNCI, 2 Nov. 2021.
Briggs, Charles F., and Cary J. Nederman. “Western Medieval Specula, c. 1150–c. 1450.”
Reynard the Fox. Accessed 10 May 2024.
Discussion Questions
1. How do the fables in Kalila and Dimna and Reynard the Fox use anthropomorphic animals to critique and explore the flaws of rulership? What are some common themes that emerge in both?
2. As explored by Briggs and Nederman in Western Medieval Specula, the genre of "mirror literature" offers advice and guidance to rulers and princes on governance and kingship. How do these texts compare to the fables in "Kalila and Dimna" in terms of their approach to portraying rulership? Are there similarities or differences in the lessons they impart?
3. Kalila and Dimna has been interpreted as both a literary and political work. How does the fable collection serve as a mirror for society, reflecting the socio-political realities of its time?
Cite
Le, Kai. "Fables and Foibles: Kalila and Dimna’s Lessons in Medieval Rulership," Middle Ages for Educators, May 15, 2024. Accessed [date]. https://middleagesforeducators.princeton.edu/fables-and-foibles-kalila-and-dimna’s-lessons-medieval-rulership