The Wolf and the Shepherd by Tomás de Iriarte
The work is a satirical fable presented as a dialogue between two contrasting figures: one representing inherent malice, the other embodying moral rectitude. The first character, a predator by nature, employs rhetoric to justify his presence by enumerating the practical benefits of his very attributes. He claims that his skin, by providing warmth and protection against the elements and pests, and his claws, by serving as a defensive talisman against harmful forces, render him useful despite his predatory instincts. He further suggests that his bodily elements have remedial properties, implicitly arguing that his utility counterbalances any negative moral implications. In reply, the second character—a shepherd—rejects these arguments outright. He condemns the deceptive self-justification, asserting that occasional good outcomes do not erase the fundamental propensity for mischief and harm. The exchange underscores a central theme: superficial benefits or rhetorical cleverness cannot mask an intrinsically harmful nature. The work critiques the tendency to rationalize unethical behavior by cloaking it in utilitarian arguments, and it warns that even when a malevolent force appears to offer advantages, its core character remains fundamentally corrupt.
By Tomás de Iriarte · First published 1782 · Genre: Satire, Fable, Allegory · 207 words
First lines
The Wolf a Shepherd blandly once addressed: / "Friend -- let me say I really do not know / Why you will view me always as a pest; / You think me a bad fellow. Faith, I am not so.
What a warm coat my skin in winter yields!
It shelters many a man from cold and wetting; / Moreover, too, from sting of flea it shields, / And other insects vile your couch besetting.
Against the withering blight of evil eye / My claws will screen you -- counter charm secure.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wolf and the Shepherd is listed on Textopian as a fable by Tomás de Iriarte, dated 1782 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Tomás de Iriarte
- Date: 1782 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fable, Allegory, Poetry, Humor
- Length: 207 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Satire — Utilizes irony and humor to critique societal norms and human behavior through the dialogue between animal characters.
- Fable — Features anthropomorphic animals conveying moral lessons and reflections on human conduct.
- Allegory — Employs symbolic characters and interactions to convey deeper meanings about society and human nature.
- Poetry — Written in verse form, exhibiting rhythmic and stylistic qualities typical of poetic works.
Tags
fable · allegory · morality · cautionary · symbolism · animals · contrast · leadership · ethics · social critique · nature · human behavior