Yazd University Journal of Kavoshnameh in Persian Language and Literature 2645-453X 26 67 2026 01 21 Analysis of the Lion Character in Fables on Animals from the 3rd to the 9th Century AH based on Theory of Rimmon-Kenan Analysis of the Lion Character in Fables on Animals from the 3rd to the 9th Century AH based on Theory of Rimmon-Kenan 87 119 4023 10.29252/kavosh.2026.23500.3742 FA Mahsa Shirani Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran Nasrin Faghih Malek Marzban Associate Professor.Department of Persian language and literature Alzahra university. Tehran. Ira 0000-0002-7850-292X Mahbood Fazeli Associate Professor, Department of Persian language and literature,Alzahra university. Tehran. Iran Journal Article 2025 08 13 Fables have always served as a tool in various literary works to convey or affirm a concept. As the thematic scope changes, the elements of the fable also change accordingly. Character is one of these altered elements, being the most flexible element of a fable. This article seeks to answer two questions. The first question is ‘how the lion is characterized in fables’, and the second question is ‘whether it has undergone historical transformations’. To answer these questions, 25 selected fables from books of the 3^rd to 9^th centuries AH, in which the term ‘lion’ appears, were chosen and analyzed using Raymond Kenan's views on character. The results show that the lion's characterization is done both directly and indirectly, using action, speech, and environment. This animal always appears in its true form, but with the physical incapability resulting from old age, illness, or incompetence. These factors play a role in shaping events. The lion is observed sequentially in the roles of a sultan that is incapable of managing affairs with sudden decisions, a resourceful mother, and its animal role with a predatory nature. Historically, with the shortening of fables and the decreased reflection on the power structures among them, the frequency of animal names is also diminished. Fables have always served as a tool in various literary works to convey or affirm a concept. As the thematic scope changes, the elements of the fable also change accordingly. Character is one of these altered elements, being the most flexible element of a fable. This article seeks to answer two questions. The first question is ‘how the lion is characterized in fables’, and the second question is ‘whether it has undergone historical transformations’. To answer these questions, 25 selected fables from books of the 3^rd to 9^th centuries AH, in which the term ‘lion’ appears, were chosen and analyzed using Raymond Kenan's views on character. The results show that the lion's characterization is done both directly and indirectly, using action, speech, and environment. This animal always appears in its true form, but with the physical incapability resulting from old age, illness, or incompetence. These factors play a role in shaping events. The lion is observed sequentially in the roles of a sultan that is incapable of managing affairs with sudden decisions, a resourceful mother, and its animal role with a predatory nature. Historically, with the shortening of fables and the decreased reflection on the power structures among them, the frequency of animal names is also diminished. https://kavoshnameh.yazd.ac.ir/article_4023_238fe9d74bd38bc6258e6e5123983e5d.pdf