| Author |
Erasmus, Desiderius, 1469-1536 |
| Illustrator |
Holbein, Hans, 1497-1543 |
| LoC No. |
32015550
|
| Uniform Title |
Moriae encomium. English
|
| Title |
In Praise of Folly
Illustrated with Many Curious Cuts
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 38.1 (College-level). Difficult to read.
|
| Credits |
Produced by David Widger
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| Summary |
"In Praise of Folly" by Desiderius Erasmus is a satirical oration written in the early 16th century. This work features Folly, personified as a speaker, who critiques human behavior and the folly of mankind, particularly in relation to social norms, wisdom, and the church. Through wit and irony, Erasmus aims to highlight the absurdities in society that often go unacknowledged, inviting readers to reflect on their own notions of wisdom and folly. The opening portion of the text introduces the concept of Folly as a playful yet shrewd observer of human nature, establishing her authority by proclaiming that her influence is pervasive and essential for happiness. Folly’s speech serves as both a panegyric and a critique; she emphasizes the joy she brings to people’s lives while simultaneously mocking their often foolish behaviors and societal pretenses. By presenting her origins and entourage—comprising elements such as Self-Love and Pleasure—Folly argues that her role is vital in livening existence and maintaining social bonds, urging the audience to appreciate the lighter, more absurd aspects of life over the heavy burdens of wisdom. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature
|
| Subject |
Folly -- Early works to 1800
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
30201 |
| Release Date |
Oct 6, 2009 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Nov 20, 2012 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
4125 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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