Animals in Russian folklore

The use of animals in Russian Folktales is very prominent. They are used alongside human characters, as well as alongside other animals. Some of the most common animals found throughout many folktales are foxes, sheep, goats, roosters and wolves. [Hall, Masha G. Or Why Magic Tales are not Fairy Tales, Where Animals Talk and Strange Creature Roam. August 2005.] These animals are also given a lot of human qualities. The most notable and most important quality that they are given in Russian folklore is that they have the ability to speak to both other animals as well as human characters. They have the same emotions as human characters as well. Lastly, they are given human qualities such as wit, humor, slyness and even stupidity. [Zenkovsky, Serge A., editor. Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales. Second Edition. New York, E. P. Dutton, 1974.] Foxes, for example, are usually female and are very witty and like to trick their counterparts. This can be adult humans or wolves, roosters and bears. Wolves, on the other hand, are usually male and are not very smart. They are often susceptible to being led into traps and being tricked out of food or prey by foxes.

The roles of these animals have also persisted through time. The slyness and witiness of foxes has been consistent throughout folklore. This holds true for the characteristics and gender of all animals in Russian Folklore from the beginning until now. [Goldberg, Christine. The Construction of Folktales. Journal of Folklore Research. Vol. 23, No. 2/3, Special Double Issue: The Comparative Method in Folklore (May, 1986), pp. 163-176.]

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