Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15291/sic/2.16.lc.5
Životinja rak u talijanskoj kulturi i književnosti. Prikazi i uloge
Roberta Matković
; Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Croatia
Abstract
Although the crab is a widely spread animal and is even part of culinary traditions, its presence in literature is surprisingly minimal. In culture, the crab is associated with beliefs tied to the astrological sign and constellation, which hold specific roles in both astronomy and mythology. As beliefs are directly connected to time and place, the crab also has a particular role in the medieval bestiary. The richly diverse bestiary of Italian literature teems with animals, both real and mythical. Some are more prominently featured than others, directly reflecting their role in daily urban or rural life, especially in folk beliefs. In Italo Calvino's collection Italian Folktales (Fiabe italiane), there are only two tales where the crab plays a central role and is mentioned in the title. In one tale, the crab symbolises prosperity, while in the other, it serves as a magical means of transportation. In children's literature, the crab often represents human negative traits such as envy and malevolence. Unlike fables, in Gianni Rodari’s tale, the crab symbolises a desire for change and transformation, serving as an impetus for perseverance. Following the tendencies of the Humanist period, in Pulci's heroic-comic poem (Il Morgante), the crab reprises the role it holds in myth; however, in this case, the crab survives while the giant dies from the effects of its bite. In Da Vinci's literary writings, cancer appears as a metaphor for a malicious person, who either hides behind someone or something, or waits for the opportune moment to do evil to others for their own benefit. In Leopardi's continuation of The War of the Mice and Frogs, the crab is a clear metaphor for the Austrians, perfectly aligning with the author's critical reflection on Italy's social and political situation in the 19th century. It is evident that the crab's presence in literature is modest, yet it is neither coincidental nor insignificant. This resonates with the myth of the crab and thus closes the circle of reflections on its role: though not omnipresent and seemingly invisible, the crab's role carries a weight that directly influences subsequent events. Whether this minor role of the crab is merely unremarkable or marginal or functional within specific contexts and thus deserving of attention can be discerned through a diachronic analysis of the crab’s appearances in folklore and literature.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
349178
URI
Publication date:
23.6.2026.
Visits: 0 *