In Praise of Folly by Erasmus (Book Analysis)

This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of In Praise of Folly by Erasmus. It provides a thorough exploration of the essay’s content and main themes, as well as the political, intellectual and religious context of the time and Erasmus’s contribution to the Renaissance in northern Europe. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.

This clear and detailed 27-page reading guide is structured as follows:

• Biography of Erasmus
• Presentation of In Praise of Folly
• Summary of In Praise of Folly
• Context
  • Intellectual context: humanism
  • Political and religious context
• Analysis of In Praise of Folly
  • An ironic and paradoxical eulogy
  • Erasmus and humanism
  • In Praise of Folly and religious issues
  • Folly in history

About In Praise of Folly

In Praise of Folly was first published in Latin in 1511. It takes the form of a humourous speech in which Folly praises herself while criticising society and reflecting on religion. This apparently simple form masks a complex text in which Erasmus delivers a satirical critique of the Catholic Church, superstition and the customs of the society of his time. Although In Praise of Folly was originally written in Latin, it was translated into several other languages, allowing it to circulate widely and reach a large audience. It is now recognised as one of the most significant and influential texts of the Renaissance.

About Erasmus

Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch writer, humanist and theologian who lived and worked during the 15^th and 16^th centuries. He wrote about topics including education, religion and political philosophy, and edited and translated ancient and Christian texts. He was one of the most notable scholars of the Renaissance in northern Europe, and contributed to the emerging calls for religious reform through his criticism of abuses within the Catholic Church, although he himself did not fully support the Protestant Reformation.