sehepunkte 24 (2024), Nr. 11

Valentina Piro (a cura di): Le favole di Oddone di Cheriton

The edition of the fables by Odo of Cheriton, meticulously prepared by Valentina Piro, was published in 2023 by Sismel, Edizioni del Galluzzo, as the second volume in the series "Fabula. Fables from Antiquity to Modern Times."

Written in the XIIIth century in England and preserved by 72 manuscripts, the work of Odo of Cheriton represents a significant milestone in the enduring legacy of the fable genre, which originated with Aesop and continues to captivate and inspire authors across the globe to this day.

The edition by Valentina Piro is groundbreaking in its comprehensive approach to the entire textual history of Odo of Cheriton's fables. As Piro elucidates in the Introduction to her book, earlier editions were either incomplete or, as in the case of the authoritative work by Hervieux, primarily based on a single manuscript. Piro's objective was to create a critical edition of Odo's writings, a task that involved two primary challenges: establishing the body of the text (constitutio textus) and determining the relationships among the various manuscripts. This endeavor proved to be particularly arduous due to the nature of the manuscript tradition. As Piro herself acknowledges: "The tradition of the fables is open and constituted by a mobile corpus; there are no certain errors useful for establishing solid genealogical relationships between the manuscripts, while variants abound" (40).

Despite these challenges, Piro was able to identify overarching trends within the transmission of the texts. While it was not feasible to construct a definitive stemma, Piro meticulously analyzed these trends to formulate guidelines for her edition. Her work thus provides a thorough understanding of Odo's fables, offering a critical framework that respects the complexities and variances of the manuscript tradition.

The editor decided to normalize the spelling of the manuscripts, keeping however the traditional usage to ignore the differenciation between the vowel e and the diphtongs ae and oe. This is a good editorial choice, especially as it is clearly stated in the Introduction.

The Latin text of the fables is presented alongside its Italian translation, allowing for a direct comparison between the original and translated versions. On the even-numbered pages, the Latin text is accompanied by a thoroughly developed critical apparatus located beneath it.

On the odd-numbered pages, the Italian translation is enriched with a commentary by the editor. These annotations delve into the tradition and sources of each fable, offering insights that illuminate the historical and literary context. Particularly noteworthy are the references to seminal works: Van Dijk's "Transmission and Receptions of the Classical Fable Tradition" and Tubach's "Index Exemplorum. A Handbook of Medieval Religious Tales". These references provide the reader with a broader understanding of how Odo's fables fit into the larger tapestry of classical and medieval storytelling traditions.

Additionally, the editor includes references to Biblical citations, placed beneath the translation. The edition of the fables of Odo is completed by 14 texts, of dubious authorship.

The main part of the book, which is the edition of Chariton's work, is thoughtfully preceded by an extensive Introduction, structured to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of various critical aspects.

Firstly, the Introduction delves into the life and background of Odo of Cheriton. It examines his historical and cultural context, providing insights into the environment in which he lived and worked.

Secondly, the Introduction provides an in-depth analysis of Odo's collection of fables, starting with a discussion about the title itself. In the manuscripts, actually, Odo's work is called by different names: parabolae, exempla or narrations. The editor also discusses the typology, the origins and development of the genre, tracing its roots back to earlier traditions.

Thirdly, the Introduction addresses the edition itself, outlining the editorial principles and methodologies employed in its preparation. It details the process of establishing the text, including the description of 72 manuscripts, the resolution of textual variants, and the rationale behind specific editorial decisions.

Following the comprehensive Introduction, Valentina Piro has organized a Bibliography thoughtfully divided into three distinct sections: editions of ancient and medieval sources, repertoires and dictionaries, and finally other studies. The last section encompasses a wide range of scholarly works which provide deeper insights into the themes, structure, and impact of the fables, as well as their place within the wider tradition of medieval and classical literature.

At the end of the book there are five indexes: of the manuscripts, of medieval authors and texts, of contemporary scholars, of places, and finally - of the animals. The last one is of particular interest as it really helps to navigate through the collection.

The edition of Valentina Piro not only rectifies the limitations of previous editions but also enhances our appreciation of the historical and literary significance of Odo of Cheriton's fables. By addressing the textual discrepancies and exploring the intricate web of manuscript relationships, it stands as a significant contribution to medieval literary studies and the broader field of textual criticism. Her scholarship ensures that Odo's fables can be studied and appreciated in their full historical and literary context, maintaining their relevance and influence in the modern era.