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Praise of Folly

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In "Praise of Folly" by Erasmus, the Goddess of Folly delivers a speech asserting the importance of folly in human affairs through satire. The book criticizes teachings of the Church, monastic life, and societal norms as folly, while also touching on religious practices, human nature, and the pursuit of wisdom. Erasmus employs humor, sarcasm, and wit to make jests at extremes of religious beliefs and practices, presenting a critique of society and human behavior.

Writing/Prose:

The prose combines irony and humor with dense, complex language, creating a satirical but occasionally difficult reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features the Goddess of Folly, who humorously critiques humanity's foolishness and the absurdity within serious religious practices.

Setting:

The setting revolves around a critique of sixteenth-century societal norms and religious practices, influenced by the era's key figures.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally brisk, but the dense prose in certain passages may challenge reader engagement, leading to a feeling of overwhelmed continuity.

Notes:

Erasmus wrote In Praise of Folly while living as a monastic scholar.
The book uses the character Folly to satirize the foolishness of mankind.
Erasmus critiqued the ascetic lifestyle, finding it miserable and envy-inducing compared to the carefree fools.
He had close ties to Martin Luther, who expected him to join the Protestant Reformation but chose to remain Catholic.
Erasmus is known as a central figure in Humanist philosophy.
Folly's speech argues that humans are born out of folly, highlighting human contradictions.
The book is criticized for its dense style and flow, making it challenging but enjoyable for some readers.
Erasmus is critical of various church practices, claiming they are foolish and self-serving.
His writing blends humor and serious critique, reminiscent of Oscar Wilde and Saki.
Folly's arguments are intentionally faulty, showcasing satire in her reflections on religion and society.
Erasmus's new Greek text of the Bible was a significant event in Christianity's history.

From The Publisher:

Erasmus of Rotterdam (c. 1466-1536) is one of the greatest figures of the Renaissance humanist movement, which abandoned medieval pieties in favour of a rich new vision of the individual's potential. Praise of Folly, written to amuse his friend Sir Thomas More, is Erasmus's best-known work. Its dazzling mixture of fantasy and satire is narrated by a personification of Folly, dressed as a jester, who celebrates youth, pleasure, drunkenness and sexual desire, and goes on to lambast human pretensions, foibles and frailties, to mock theologians and monks and to praise the 'folly' of simple Christian piety. Erasmus's wit, wordplay and wisdom made the book an instant success, but it also attracted what may have been sales-boosting criticism. The Letter to Maarten van Dorp, which is a defence of his ideas and methods, is also included.

About the Author:

Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1536) was the greatest scholar of the northern Renaissance, the first editor of the New Testament, and an important figure in classical literature. He helped lay the groundwork for the historical-critical study of the past, and his educational writings contributed to…

 
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