Introductory Fable
The Importance of the Introductory Fable “The Cock and the Jasp” is an important fable as it sets the tone for the reader. However, it raises the question as to why this fable was chosen as the first. According to Rosemary Greentree, Henryson’s ‘use of “The Cock and the Jasp” traditionally an introductory fable, as the first in his collection shows a degree of conformity to accustomed order, when it suits his purpose’ (483). However, one could argue that it is the most straight forward fable as Henryson explains the moral lesson to be learned from the cock’s mistake. Edward Wheatley states that ‘the narrator apparently wants to guide his readers through the first interpretation’ (79). In this way, Henryson is easing the reader into his work
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From analysis, it is evident that the first fable has 14 stanzas with 7 lines in each stanza. Therefore, the mid-point of the tale is the seventh sentence of the seventh stanza which is as follows: ‘Thow ganis not for me nor I for thee’ (112). The number 7 is significant in biblical scripture as it is associated with the divine, perfection and the body, which will be discussed in more detail later on. As it has been previously mentioned, “The Prologue” has 9 stanzas, which is perceived to symbolise the mind. Therefore, “The Cock and the Jasp” is the start of the body of the poem. As the moral of the fable consists of 6 stanzas, it represents man within biblical scripture. This numerical symbolism corresponds to the fable as the cock or possibly the ‘foolish man’ (Gopen, 46) is not punished for his rejection of what may be perceived as knowledge and enlightenment. One could argue that the jasp represents spirituality. Therefore, the cock or the ‘foolish man’ is rejecting spiritual intellect. However, the cock is not aware of the loss. Therefore, he cannot learn any lessons and it is the reader that learns from the mistakes of the cock. Through the cock’s rhetorical speech, he has a knowledge of the jasp’s worth’ (Greentree, 1986, 24), though he is not aware of his opportunity to gain wisdom from
From analysis, it is evident that the first fable has 14 stanzas with 7 lines in each stanza. Therefore, the mid-point of the tale is the seventh sentence of the seventh stanza which is as follows: ‘Thow ganis not for me nor I for thee’ (112). The number 7 is significant in biblical scripture as it is associated with the divine, perfection and the body, which will be discussed in more detail later on. As it has been previously mentioned, “The Prologue” has 9 stanzas, which is perceived to symbolise the mind. Therefore, “The Cock and the Jasp” is the start of the body of the poem. As the moral of the fable consists of 6 stanzas, it represents man within biblical scripture. This numerical symbolism corresponds to the fable as the cock or possibly the ‘foolish man’ (Gopen, 46) is not punished for his rejection of what may be perceived as knowledge and enlightenment. One could argue that the jasp represents spirituality. Therefore, the cock or the ‘foolish man’ is rejecting spiritual intellect. However, the cock is not aware of the loss. Therefore, he cannot learn any lessons and it is the reader that learns from the mistakes of the cock. Through the cock’s rhetorical speech, he has a knowledge of the jasp’s worth’ (Greentree, 1986, 24), though he is not aware of his opportunity to gain wisdom from