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In his Dizionario (1749) Ephraim Chambers explained that there were at least three characteristics of a fable (favole): the truth was masked to reveal an ingenious invention; it was the most antique way to teach; and the language, simple but precise, originated in poetic speech and came from the Gods. Sometime in the mid eighteenth century, Carlo Lodoli a professor of architecture in Venice offered a version of the following fable:An Apologue (fable) was sent to earth to return men to the gentle manner of good custom. Apologue, who resembled a hermaphrodite though neither human nor animal, acted as an auctioneer in determining the true nature of each character on earth. All creatures were to pass in front of him to assure and understand each of their qualities. Only the Ass did not conform, walking four paces forward and then three back wards. Though he was late, the Apologue did not want to discourage him, saying; ‘you believe that I do not recognize you even from afar, and that I do not know your innumerable merits? Your patience exceeds that of the most illuminate philosophers; you are content with little and you are obedient to your owner.’ The Apologue wished to continue, but the Ass did not trust what he was hearing.Lodoli concluded by telling us that “the evidence itself of these things pronounced with skill and sweetness is not enough to enlighten those who resemble the Ass. It is good to know from the beginning, that it is not wise to waste one’s time with them because they need large sticks or a good rope rather than pure Apologues to be led to reason.”This paper asks why would Lodoli use fables to teach architecture and what are the ramifications of such pedagogy, today? |