LE CHARLATAN
by Jean de La Fontaine · from Fables de La Fontaine
Adapted Version
Once there was a man. He liked to say big things. He was Mr. Boastful. Many people like to boast. They say they can do great things. But these things are not true. Mr. Boastful talked a lot. He said he was very smart. He said he could teach anyone. He said he was the best.
Mr. Boastful made a big claim. He said he was a great teacher. He could teach a simple man. He could teach a farmer. He could teach a silly person. He said, "Bring a donkey!" He said, "I can teach it." He said, "It will talk." He said, "It will wear clothes." He said, "It will speak very well."
The King heard about Mr. Boastful. He heard the big claims. The King sent for Mr. Boastful. He asked him to come. Mr. Boastful went to the King's house. The King wanted to see him.
The King had a special donkey. It was a very nice donkey. The King said, "I have a donkey." He said, "Teach it to talk?" Mr. Boastful said, "Yes, King, I can!"
Mr. Boastful said yes. The King gave him some money. Mr. Boastful had ten years. He must teach the donkey to talk. If he failed, big trouble. He would be punished in public.
The King's Helper spoke to Mr. Boastful. He laughed a little. He said, "I will see you." He said, "Big trouble for you." He said, "What will you say?" He said, "Make a good speech." He said, "Your words must be strong."
Mr. Boastful just smiled. He looked at the Helper. He said, "Many things can change." He said, "Ten years is a long time." He said, "Maybe the King will not be here." He said, "Maybe the donkey will not be here." He said, "Maybe I will not be here." He said, "One of us will change."
Mr. Boastful was smart. He was right. It is hard to know the future. Ten years is a very long time. Things always change. We cannot know what will be. It is foolish to plan so far.
Original Story
LE CHARLATAN.
Le monde n’a jamais manqué de charlatans:
Cette science, de tout temps,
Fut en professeurs très-fertile.
Tantôt l’un en théâtre affronte l’Achéron,
Et l’autre affiche par la ville
Qu’il est un passe-Cicéron.
Un des derniers se vantoit d’être
En éloquence si grand maître,
Qu’il rendroit disert un badaud,
Un manant, un rustre, un lourdaud;
Oui, messieurs, un lourdaud, un animal, un âne:
Que l’on m’amène un âne, un âne renforcé,
Je le rendrai maître passé,
Et veux qu’il porte la soutane.
Le prince sut la chose; il manda le rhéteur.
J’ai, dit-il, en mon écurie
Un fort beau roussin d’Arcadie;
J’en voudrois faire un orateur.
Sire, vous pouvez tout, reprit d’abord notre homme.
On lui donna certaine somme.
Il devoit au bout de dix ans
Mettre son âne sur les bancs;
Sinon il consentoit d’être en place publique
Guindé la hart au col, étranglé court et net,
Ayant au dos sa rhétorique,
Et les oreilles d’un baudet.
Quelqu’un des courtisans lui dit qu’à la potence
Il vouloit l’aller voir, et que, pour un pendu,
Il auroit bonne grâce et beaucoup de prestance:
Surtout qu’il se souvînt de faire à l’assistance
Un discours où son art fût au long étendu;
Un discours pathétique, et dont le formulaire
Servît à certains Cicérons
Vulgairement nommés larrons.
L’autre reprit: Avant l’affaire,
Le roi, l’âne, ou moi, nous mourrons.
Il avoit raison. C’est folie
De compter sur dix ans de vie.
Soyons bien buvants, bien mangeants,
Nous devons à la mort de trois l’un en dix ans.
XX
Story DNA
Moral
It is foolish to make grand promises based on a distant future, as circumstances, including death, are bound to change.
Plot Summary
A boastful charlatan claims he can teach even an ass to be eloquent. The prince, hearing this, challenges the charlatan to teach his own horse, setting a ten-year deadline with execution as the penalty for failure. When a courtier mocks him about his impending hanging, the charlatan cleverly responds that either the king, the horse, or he himself will die before the ten years are up, highlighting the futility of such long-term promises. The fable concludes by affirming the charlatan's wisdom in recognizing life's unpredictability.
Themes
Emotional Arc
overconfidence to pragmatic realization
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Jean de La Fontaine's fables often satirized contemporary society and human nature, drawing inspiration from classical sources like Aesop. The 'charlatan' figure was a common subject of ridicule.
Plot Beats (8)
- The narrator introduces the common phenomenon of charlatans who boast of their skills, especially in rhetoric.
- A specific charlatan claims he can teach even an ass to be eloquent and wear a cassock.
- The prince learns of this boast and summons the charlatan.
- The prince challenges the charlatan to make his own horse, a fine Arcadian steed, an orator.
- The charlatan accepts, receives payment, and agrees to a ten-year deadline, with the penalty of public hanging if he fails.
- A courtier sarcastically tells the charlatan he looks forward to seeing him hanged and advises him to prepare a grand, pathetic speech for the occasion.
- The charlatan responds that before the ten years are up, either the king, the ass, or he himself will die.
- The narrator concludes by stating the charlatan was right, as it is foolish to count on ten years of life, and one of the three is likely to die within that time.
Characters
The Charlatan
Of average height and build, perhaps a bit portly from a life of ease and less physical labor. His movements are theatrical and expansive, designed to draw attention and convey confidence, even if feigned.
Attire: Flashy and attention-grabbing, though perhaps not of the finest quality upon closer inspection. He would wear a brightly colored, perhaps crimson or deep blue, velvet coat with large cuffs and ornate buttons, over a ruffled white linen shirt. A waistcoat of contrasting color, breeches, and polished buckled shoes would complete his ensemble. He might also wear a wide-brimmed hat with a feather.
Wants: To gain wealth and renown through his perceived oratorical skills, even if it means making impossible promises.
Flaw: Overconfidence and a tendency to make promises he cannot possibly keep, leading him into dangerous situations.
He does not change significantly in the story, but his cunning nature is revealed as he devises a clever escape from his impossible promise.
Boastful, cunning, opportunistic, quick-witted, and a master of rhetoric. He is not afraid to make outrageous claims to gain attention and profit.
The Prince
A man of regal bearing, likely well-fed and accustomed to luxury. He would carry himself with an air of authority and mild amusement, observing the Charlatan's claims with detached interest.
Attire: Rich, formal court attire befitting a prince of 17th-century France. This would include a heavy silk or brocade coat in a deep jewel tone (e.g., emerald green or sapphire blue), embroidered with gold thread, over a fine linen shirt with lace cuffs. He would wear a matching waistcoat, breeches, silk stockings, and polished leather shoes with buckles. A jeweled sword at his hip would be appropriate.
Wants: To be entertained and to test the Charlatan's extraordinary claims, perhaps hoping for a novel spectacle.
Flaw: A certain degree of gullibility or willingness to be entertained by outlandish claims, even if he suspects them to be false.
Remains unchanged, serving as the catalyst for the Charlatan's challenge.
Curious, powerful, amused, and somewhat cynical. He enjoys testing the claims of others and is not easily fooled.
The Courtier
Lean and elegant, typical of a courtier who values appearance and wit. He would have a slightly mocking or cynical expression.
Attire: Fashionable court attire, perhaps slightly less opulent than the Prince's but still of high quality. A fitted silk coat in a fashionable color (e.g., pale blue or silver), a lace cravat, embroidered waistcoat, and breeches. He might carry a small cane.
Wants: To mock the Charlatan and witness his inevitable downfall, finding amusement in his predicament.
Flaw: His cynicism and pleasure in others' misfortune, which makes him unsympathetic.
Remains unchanged, serving as a foil to the Charlatan.
Sarcastic, cynical, witty, and somewhat cruel. He enjoys seeing others fail, especially those who are boastful.
The Arcadian Steed (Donkey)
A robust and handsome donkey, described as a 'fort beau roussin d'Arcadie' (a very beautiful Arcadian steed), implying a finer breed than a common farm donkey. It would have a strong build, sturdy legs, and a well-groomed appearance.
Attire: None, as it is an animal, but it might have a simple, clean halter or bridle.
Wants: To simply exist and graze, unaware of the human drama surrounding it.
Flaw: Its inherent nature as an animal, making it impossible to teach rhetoric.
Remains unchanged, serving as the central object of the Charlatan's impossible promise.
Patient, docile, and inherently incapable of rhetoric. It serves as a symbol of the impossible task.
Locations
The City Streets
The bustling public thoroughfares and squares of a 17th-century French town, where charlatans would post their advertisements and draw crowds. Cobblestone streets, half-timbered buildings with upper stories overhanging, and public notice boards would be visible.
Mood: lively, bustling, slightly chaotic, theatrical
The charlatan posts his boastful claims about teaching an ass to speak, attracting public attention.
The Prince's Palace
The opulent interior of a French prince's residence, likely a grand chamber or audience room. High ceilings, tapestries on walls, polished stone or parquet floors, and ornate furniture would signify wealth and power.
Mood: formal, authoritative, luxurious, slightly amused
The prince summons the charlatan to challenge his boast, setting the terms of the wager.
The Prince's Stables
A well-maintained stable within the prince's estate, housing fine horses. It would feature sturdy wooden stalls, straw-covered floors, and the scent of hay and horses. The 'Arcadian steed' suggests a particularly fine animal.
Mood: functional, animalistic, earthy, expectant
The location where the 'Arcadian steed' (the ass) is kept, which the charlatan is tasked to educate.
The Public Gallows
A grim and prominent structure in a public square, used for executions. It would consist of a wooden scaffold and a noose, serving as a stark reminder of justice or failure. The setting is designed for public display.
Mood: ominous, foreboding, public spectacle, grim
The place where the charlatan would be executed if he fails, as envisioned by the cynical courtier.