Aesop's Fables · Character

The Farmer

An orchard-keeper who judges his barren apple tree worthless until a hidden swarm of bees proves that even hollow things hold honey.

supporting

Also known as A Farmer, The Farmer, the Farmer, The Ploughman, the Ploughman

First appearance: The Farmer and His Sons

As a supporting figure in Aesop's Fables, The Farmer is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The Man who, with his Wife, owns the miraculous goose and decides to kill it out of greed.

In the storyThe Goose That Laid the Golden EggsOpen this moment free

See The Farmer in The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs Book page

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With The Old Man (social): The Farmer and the Old Man are neighbors or acquaintances who interact regularly, possibly sharing rural life. With The Old Man (social): The Farmer and the Old Man are neighbors or…

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The fuller portrait of The Farmer sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See The Farmer in The Farmer and His Sons

Character Web

38 connections

A slice of how The Farmer sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Moral Archetypes and Victims
Diverse Moral Agents
Tricksters and Survivors
Hunters and Tradesmen

+33 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the victor Cock, swollen with pride after his triumph, is sud…

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Relationships

The Old Man
social · positive
The Farmer and the Old Man are neighbors or acquaintances who interact regularly,… How this plays out →
The Old Man
social · positive
The Farmer and the Old Man are neighbors or acquaintances who interact regularly,… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See The Farmer in The Farmer and His Sons

In the story

The Farmer appears across 27 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs
The Man who, with his Wife, owns the miraculous goose and decides to kill it out of greed.
The Milkmaid and Her Pail
The farmer's daughter is the central character, but the farmer is implied as her parent.
The Ass and His Burdens
The Pedlar (master) detects the Ass's trick and retaliates by loading sponges, causing the Ass to carry a heavier burden.
The Farmer and His Sons
The dying father who imparts a final lesson about hidden treasure.
The Farmer and Fortune
Discovers a pot of gold and mistakenly thanks the Goddess of the Earth instead of Fortune.
The Peasant and the Apple-Tree
The peasant owns the apple tree and initially plans to cut it down due to its lack of fruit, but changes his mind upon discovering honey inside.
The Ass and the Old Peasant
The old Peasant who tries to flee with his Ass but is rebuffed.
Hercules and the Wagoner
The wagoner who calls on Hercules but is told to first make his own effort.
The Old Hound
The master who scolds the hound for failing to catch the boar, forgetting past service.
The Clown and the Countryman
A rustic who challenges the Clown and exposes the audience's poor judgment.
The Lark and the Farmer
The farmer who initially depends on neighbors but ultimately decides to hire workers himself, prompting the lark's departure.
The Three Tradesmen
Objects to wood due to its flammability and recommends stone instead.
The Farmer and the Fox
Sets a trap for the fox and exacts a cruel revenge that ultimately destroys his own harvest.
The Farmer and the Stork
Sets traps to protect his corn and judges the stork by its company.
The Farmer and the Viper
Shows compassion by warming the frozen viper, but suffers a fatal bite as a consequence.
The Labourer and the Snake
Grief-stricken father who seeks revenge on the snake but fails to kill it.
The Ass and His Purchaser
The purchaser who tests the ass by observing its choice of companion and returns it based on that judgment.
The Herdsman and the Lost Bull
The Herdsman loses a young Bull and makes vows to Jupiter for safety.
The Farmer, His Boy, and the Rooks
Devises a trick to deceive the birds by using a code word instead of 'sling'.
The Gardener and His Dog
The Gardener who attempts to rescue his Dog but is bitten and abandons him.
The Lion in Love
The cottager who cunningly tricks the Lion into giving up his strength.
The Ploughman, the Ass, and the Ox
The Ploughman who yokes the Ox and Ass together and is carried home by the Ass.
The Ploughman and the Wolf
The Ploughman who returns to find the Wolf tangled and admonishes him to give up thieving.
The Farmer and His Dogs
Kills his sheep, goats, and oxen for food during a storm.
The Man Who Lost His Spade
The man who loses his spade and questions his laborers, ultimately losing faith in the town gods.
The Serpent and the Eagle
A countryman who witnesses the struggle and helps free the Eagle; nearly drinks poisoned water but is saved by the Eagle.
The Woman and the Farmer
Pretends to grieve his wife to woo the widow, but later weeps sincerely over his stolen oxen.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Farmer unlock in the free preview.

See The Farmer in The Farmer and His Sons

See The Farmer in The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs