Ésope, ou le portrait d’un anti-héros ?

Abstract

In the Life of Aesop the protagonist has something of an anti-hero because of his ugliness; he is afflicted with physical defects that ancient physiognomonics used to link with cowardice, intemperance, and the like, and everyone feels offended when seeing him for the first time. But in spite of his appalling look, Aesop is endowed with extraordinary intellectual gifts, being full of mêtis and eloquence, and this very contrast between appearance and reality lies at the core of the narrative. It is tempting to see the protagonist of the Life as a cultural blame figure fighting against the aristocratic ideal of kalokagathia; but being portrayed at one and the same time as a victim and as a sacral being, Aesop is also a typical scapegoat – hence his final transformation into a cult hero.