How did Jean de La Fontaine characterize the figures in his Fables?

Jean de La Fontaine characterized the figures in his Fables as timeless actors who represent human types, emotions, and attitudes. Rather than simple allegories, his characters—which include simple countryfolk, Greek mythology figures, and familiar animals—serve as serious reflections of human nature.1

La Fontaine excelled in the rapid characterization of these actors through deft sketches of their appearance, specific gestures, and, most importantly, the expressive discourse he invented for them. His animal characters, in particular, are creatures of fantasy that bear only a distant resemblance to real animals; their effectiveness lies in the poet's skillful exploitation of the incongruities between the animal and human elements they embody. By placing these figures in rustic settings, he created miniature comedies and dramas that mirror the social hierarchy and moral experiences of mankind. Ultimately, these characters speak with timeless voices, allowing the reader to engage with the human comedy through a blend of amusement and profound insight.1