The Man and His Two Sweethearts
The Man and His Two Sweethearts, written by Esopo, is a story about a man who has two women vying for his affection. The man, named Wang, is torn between his loyal wife, Old Mrs. Wang, and his young mistress, Young Mrs. Wang. Despite their age difference, Wang finds himself equally attracted to both women and struggles to choose between them. In the end, Wang decides to keep both women in his life, juggling between them without fully committing to either one. This decision leads to a series of comical misunderstandings and conflicts, as the two women become increasingly suspicious of each other. The story is a satirical commentary on the societal expectations placed on men and women in traditional Chinese culture, where men are expected to be loyal to their wives while also maintaining a mistress on the side. Through Wang's dilemma, Esopo highlights the absurdity of these expectations and the consequences that come with them.
By Esopo · First published 1807 · Genre: Fable, Folk Tale, Children's literature · 124 words
First lines
A Man of middle age, whose hair was turning grey, had two Sweethearts, an old woman and a young one. The elder of the two didn't like having a lover who looked so much younger than herself; so, whenever he came to see her, she used to pull the dark hairs out of his head to make him look old. The younger, on the other hand, didn't like him to look so much older than herself, and took every opportunity of pulling out the grey hairs, to make him look young. Between them, they left not a hair in his head, and he became perfectly bald.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man and His Two Sweethearts is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1807 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Esopo
- Date: 1807 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Folk Tale, Children's literature, Fantasy
- Length: 124 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Man and His Two Sweethearts by Esopo
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Similar titles
- The Ass And The Lapdog by Esopo
- The Ass And The Old Peasant by Esopo
- The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner by Esopo
- The Old Woman And The Wine Jar by Esopo
- The Dog In The Manger by Esopo
- The Charcoal Burner And The Fuller by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is the Italian version of the name Aesop, who is known for his fables. Most of Esopo's works are fables, a literary genre that is characterized by brief fictional stories that convey a moral teaching. The title, 'The Man and His Two Sweethearts', suggests a moral dilemma typical of fable narratives.
- Folk Tale — Aesop's stories, including 'The Man and His Two Sweethearts', were orally transmitted before being written down, fitting the characteristics of the folk tale genre, which includes traditional tales passed down orally.
- Children's literature — Esopo's fables have traditionally been used as educational material for children, teaching life lessons through interesting narratives.
- Fantasy — Esopo's fables often include anthropomorphized animals or inanimate objects, which is a characteristic of the fantasy genre.
Tags
love · relationships · fable · morality · choice · conflict · loyalty · deception · human nature · wisdom · advice · consequences