’s) Praise Of Folly Essay, Research Paper
Humor and Criticism in Praise of Folly
Erasmus?s Praise of Folly is a humor-filled satire of pretty much everything. It is filled with wit and sarcasm which make light of serious problems and blow insignificant issues out of proportion all the while bringing a smile to the reader?s face. It is not stinging humor at the expense of others (unless, of course, the shoe fits), rather it is directed towards everyone. Erasmus even includes himself in the joke, practically parodying himself in the first section (xvi). In Praise of Folly, Erasmus uses this humor to criticize without the harsh judgment of seriousness. His humor parallels the import of his subject. When Folly discusses the issues most significant to Erasmus, she loses her jocularity and ironic tone, whereas in her first voice, Folly laughs at those whose foolish ways are reason for criticism but not for scorn.
This section finds great ironic humor in the folly of all types of conceit, pointing out that the most condescending of people have little reason for such egotism. Folly laughs at the conceit of ?the general run of gentry and scholars? with their ?distorted sense of modesty? (11) including ?those who lay special claim to be called the personification of wisdom, even though they strut about ?like apes in purple? and ?asses in lion-skins?? (13). Folly, of course, is guilty of this most of all in dedicating a whole book to praising herself, and she admits the great folly behind this when she asks, ?What could be more fitting than for Folly to trumpet her own merits abroad and ?sing her own praises?? (11). Erasmus jokes about this type of conceit because it is innocent and commonplace. His point is to enlighten, not to offend.
Folly constantly jokes when she criticizes the foolishness of everyday life, because she intends for people to realize their imperfection but not to take it too seriously. This is why Folly asks her audience to listen not with the ears ?you use for preachers of sermons, but the ears you usually prick up for mountebanks, clowns, and fools? (10). Humor in this situation lowers the defenses of one who might otherwise take offense to Erasmus?s criticism. He chose Folly to carry his message because ?truth has a genuine power to please if it manages not to give offence, but this is something the gods have granted only to fools? (57). He does not single out specific individuals or limit himself to specific groups of people; he includes almost everybody. Only the fools who personify the lightheartedness and happiness that are the essence of Erasmus?s comedy escape this criticism.
Erasmus even includes himself as a subject of this whimsical criticism showing that it is meant to be constructive not harshly judgmental as it was taken by his many critics. His criticisms of wise men, Seneca, women, and pedantry all apply to himself and he jokes about them all (xvi). He knows that, in her first and most humorous voice, Folly is criticizing aspects of life that are of small significance in comparison to her later targets, and Erasmus takes no shame in admitting his participation in such minor foolishness. With Folly?s first voice, Erasmus points out the insignificant foolishness that plays into every person?s life, including his own, with banter and sarcasm which itself is a criticism of man?s uptight nature. He realizes that people are too uptight, and he teaches them, by example, the benefit of laughing at oneself. For this is the way to avoid the self-deception of the obstinate sophists (10) and those who ?brib[e] some sycophantic speaker or babbling poet hired for a fee so that they can listen to him praising their merits, purely fictitious though these are? (11). Towards the end, when Folly speaks more seriously, she explains the humble nature of this attitude in her agreement with St. Paul?s praise of folly ?as a prime necessity and a great benefit? (123). Erasmus believes that folly is an important asset to living well, and he points it out to criticize conceit and to enlighten but not to judge.
As Folly continues, her tone and her subject matter become more serious. As she moves on from human nature to human affairs, she takes on a more serious second voice to compliment the increasing seriousness of her subject. This section starts suddenly and clearly when Folly grimly describes life by the many disasters in store for it (47). In this cynical paragraph it becomes clear that her attitude has changed with her subject. Folly first addresses religious issues, a topic of great importance to Erasmus, in this section when she criticizes religious superstitions such as the belief that one can attain ?supreme bliss for repeating daily those seven short verses of the holy Psalms- the magic verses . . .? (65). This part of Erasmus?s commentary is much harsher than the first because Erasmus does not have the sympathy for this type of folly that is indicated by the humor of Folly?s first voice. But Folly has not completely lost her sense of humor yet. She returns to her more amusing first voice to note that ?Dog?s dung smells sweet as cinnamon to them [hunters], I suppose, and what delicious satisfaction when the beast is to be dismembered!? (60). She also laughs at architects, those who seek to manipulate nature, and gamblers in this brief reappearance of her comic banter. Though the subject matter of this second part of the satire doesn?t completely wipe the grin off of Erasmus?s face, he has nothing to smile about in his stinging criticism of churchmen.
For this, Folly takes up yet another voice- critical and harsh; comedy has no place here. Nor is there any hint of amusement when Folly praises Pauline Folly in a voice which is practically that of Erasmus. These are the issues to which Erasmus attributes the greatest import. The conceit of a theologian ?looking down from aloft, almost with pity, on all the rest of mankind as so many cattle crawling on the face of the earth? (86) is more profound than the conceit Folly jokes about earlier in the book. A theologian?s conceit is applied to the great majority of mankind all at once and on a spiritual level that is far more significant (at least to Erasmus) than the everyday affairs that are the butt of his initial humor. Folly?s irony continues in this criticism of churchmen and through the introduction of the book?s final section, a praise of Christian folly that is totally earnest and serious, but is quickly dropped making this the most completely serious section of Erasmus?s work. This is clearly a reflection of Erasmus?s own pious attitude toward such an important religious issue. Even in the seriousness of his criticism of churchmen, irony subtly moderates Erasmus?s tone, but in his pious assessment of Christian ideals he is clearly addressing a subject too close to his heart for any lack of seriousness. Here we see the culmination of Folly?s progression towards Erasmus?s most serious subject and away from humor.
Erasmus demonstrates the value of humor by making fun of insignificant issues and teaching us how to laugh at ourselves. ?Jokes of this kind . . . which aren?t lacking in learning and wit? (4) help us put the less significant aspects of life in perspective. They also aim to moderate the level of his criticism making it more constructive than insulting. For it is ?the ridiculous rather than the squalid? (7) to which his humor applies. He reserves a more serious voice for more serious wrongdoing. We see this parallel between humor and subject clearly as Erasmus progresses from constructive criticism of insignificant folly to harsh indictment of religious pretension and most of all in his solemn praise of Christian folly.
Другие работы по теме:
DICKINSON Essay Research Paper An Analytical Essay
DICKINSON Essay, Research Paper An Analytical Essay on Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson was a woman who lived in times that are more traditional; her life experiences influence and help us to understand the dramatic and poetic lines in her writing. Although Dickinson?s poetry can often be defined as sad and moody, we can find the use of humor and irony in many of her poems.
Richard Iii Essay Research Paper Richard was
Richard Iii Essay, Research Paper Richard was a bad guy. This was one of his speeches: Was ever woman in this humor wooed? Was ever woman in this humor won? I?ll have her, but I will not keep her long.
Luther Paper Essay Research Paper Popes and
Luther Paper Essay, Research Paper Popes and sovereigns battled over power and wealth during the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries; and at the climax of these issues was a fight over who controlled spiritual and civil authority. The Protestant Reformation is the name given to a religious and political development in the early 16th century.
Picasso At The Lapin Agile
– Dramatic Criticism Essay, Research Paper Picasso at the Lapin Agile From the time you enter the Falk Theatre, until the curtain rises and falls on the Stageworks productions of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, you are in for a treat. The play is an original work by Steve Martin with a running time of 90minutes, which feels more like 30minutes.
A Criticism Of Essay Research Paper Due
A Criticism Of Essay, Research Paper Due to the lack of conflict and decision in The Lottery many readers will find the plot uninteresting, but at the same time the story is influential for each of its readers. Cleanth Brooks and Robert Penn Warren, prominent figures for the school of New Criticism, compare The Lottery to a fable and a parable because of its lack of characterization and broad pattern (250).
Humor In A Midsummer Night
’s Dream Essay, Research Paper Shakespeare uses many ways to portray humor and make his plays a success because of it. He created a careful mix of love with humor to create a success called “A Midsummer Night?s Dream.” The focus of this paper is to describe how Shakespeare uses humor in his play.
Humor In Acts Essay Research Paper On
Humor In Acts Essay, Research Paper On January 23, 2001 Professor Walker gave our class his presentation titled ?Humor in the Book of Acts?. Some of the things he said have caused me to look at the way I read the New Testament in a different light. Even though I had read it a number of times before I never realized some of the humor or funny situations that he pointed out.
Charles Dickens 2 Essay Research Paper Charles
Charles Dickens 2 Essay, Research Paper Charles Dickens (1812-1870) is one of the greatest and most popular writers in the history of literature. In his novels, Dickens combines masterly storytelling, humor, pathos, and irony with sharp social criticism and acute observation of people and places, both real and imagined.
Emily Dickenson Essay Research Paper Faith Is
Emily Dickenson Essay, Research Paper Faith Is Not All It?s Cracked Up to Be. While much of Emily Dickinson’s poetry has been described as sad or morose, the poet did use humor and irony in many of her poems. This essay will address the humor or irony found in five of Dickinson’s poems: “Faith? is a Fine Invention? (185), ?I’m Nobody! Who are you??, ?A Service of Song? and ?Success Is Counted Sweetest?.
Huck Finn And Satire Essay Research Paper
One name from American Literature that probably all school children know is Mark Twain. Along with that, one book from American Literature that probably all school children have heard about is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Truly, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was a marvel of its own time and is still a great classic today as it illustrates for its reader the pre-civil war South far beyond anything one could imagine.
Artificial Intelligence Essay Research Paper Perhaps one
Artificial Intelligence Essay, Research Paper Perhaps one of the most complex pieces to the human puzzle is our sense of humor. A sense of humor not only involves intelligence and comprehension but also an array of emotions. It is not enough to just understand something humorous, but it is also necessary that an emotional and physiological response be able to occur for a person to have a sense of humor.
Bible And The Word
“Inspire” Essay, Research Paper The Bible and the Word “Inspire” According to the Random House Dictionary, the word inspire means “to infuse an animating, quickening, or exalting influence into, or to communicate or suggest
Passolini Essay Research Paper Passolini
Passolini Essay, Research Paper Passolini’s movie included short tales displaying the irony and humor that take place in Italian religious communities. For example, one tale was about a convent filled with devoted nuns that decided to hire what thought was a poor, deaf, mute man. They hired this man as the gardener for their convent.
Desiderius Erasmus
– “Prince Of The Humanists” Essay, Research Paper A date that may have little connotation in the minds of history students everywhere was, in fact, the date that gave birth to a man more brave than any comic book could ever illustrate. On October 28, 1466, Desiderius Erasmus was born the illegitimate son of Margaretha Rogers and Gerard in Rotterdam, Holland.
Luther And Erasmus Essay Research Paper The
Luther And Erasmus Essay, Research Paper The nature of individual?s role in salvation from the point of view of Luther and Erasmus Erasmus was one of the most intelligent people of his century. In his time, he was the leader of all scholars in Europe from Germany to Italy and Spain and from England to Hungary as well.
Austen Jane 2
Austen, Jane “Pride And Prejudice” Essay, Research Paper Jane Austen’s intricate novel exhibits dry, subtle humor. She paints her genteel and refined characters with a
The Satire And Criticism Of Voltaire And
Swift Essay, Research Paper 1999-09-10 Complicated censorship during the Enlightenment forced many philosophes to use satire as a tool to express their criticism towards European society. Through great works of literature, the philosophes were able to effectively use ridicule and satire to criticize many aspects of European society.
Utopia By Thomas More 14781535 Essay Research
Paper The term “Utopia” has come to mean an idyllic, visionary Shang-ri-la type of community. However, when More derived the term from the Greek, it literally meant “nowhere.” In essence, both
The Free Will Controversy Essay Research Paper
The Free Will Controversy Between the years of 1524 and 1527, Erasmus Desiderius and Martin Luther were tangled up in an interesting controversy (Bainton 187). This controversy surprisingly did not involve the authority of the pope, the nature of the church, indulgences, or any of the other practices that each man equally detested.
East Goes West Essay Research Paper One
East Goes West Essay, Research Paper One of the first works of fiction written by an Asian immigrant to the United States, Kang’s novel describes his early adulthood with a poignant humor that touches not only on his most positive experiences in a new country–such as being befriended by other Korean Americans–but also on some of his worst: the time when college classmates convinced him to run a race in long underwear.
Laughing And Sense Of Humor Essay Research
Paper Laughing and Sense of Humor ?What is it that differentiates human beings most revealingly? Some say it is their varying degrees of compassion; others say it is amounts of prudence; still
Humanism Essay Research Paper Erasmus of Rotterdam
Humanism Essay, Research Paper Erasmus of Rotterdam, the author of Praise of Folly and Thomas More, the author of Utopia, were two of the sixteenth century?s greatest Renaissance writers. Erasmus and More were both close friends and also great believers in their religion. It was in the early part of the sixteenth century that a new group of ?Humanist? thinkers evolved.
Criticism Essay Research Paper CriticismCriticism can be
Criticism Essay, Research Paper Criticism Criticism can be negative or positive; the way it is said may be good or bad. Why do most of us want to avoid giving or receiving criticism? The purpose of criticism is to encourage positive outcomes (what the giver wants). Ideally, it brings balance into our lives, provides us with a basis of comparison, and brings truth, honesty, and intimacy.
On Parker And Humor Essay Research Paper
Suzanne L. Bunkers Dorothy Parker was not only a wit also a chronicler and a harsh critic of 1920s-1930s social roles. Her poems and short stories are not simply "cute" or
Satire In Dorothy Parker Essay Research Paper
Dorothy Parker was born in 1893 and died in 1967. She is known for using a mixture of humor, satire, and sarcasm in her poems. Satire is a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule of scorn. Three poems in which she uses humor, satire, and sarcasm are “R?sum?”, “Comment”, and “One Perfect Rose”.
Elwyn Brooks White Essay Research Paper Elwyn
Elwyn Brooks White Essay, Research Paper Elwyn Brooks White was an American author. He wrote to influence people?s lives. Everyone who was lucky enough to pick up one of his writings never walked away without benefiting from
Comparison Essay Essay Research Paper Comparison EssayTwo
Comparison Essay Essay, Research Paper Comparison Essay Two individuals dominate the late night airwaves, Jay Leno and David Letterman. Leno uses a conservative humor and Letterman’s humor is progressive. While the two shows claim to be different, they both follow the same format. Both shows include a ten-minute stand up routine, strange co-hosts and interviews with celebrity guests.
Mr Essay Research Paper Aspects of the
Mr. Essay, Research Paper Aspects of the Perfect Female The ideal woman of today’s society would contain the following qualities: intelligence, honesty, a sense of humor, spontaneity, assertiveness,
Darwin Research Essay Research Paper Darwin was
Darwin Research Essay, Research Paper Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He was the son of Robert Waring Darwin and his wife Susannah; and the grandson of the scientist Erasmus Darwin, and
Archetypal Criticism Essay Research Paper Archetypal Criticism
Archetypal Criticism Essay, Research Paper Archetypal Criticism: Joshua In the many stories of the Bible, one of the most acclaimed heroes is Joshua. To most he is known for his heroic actions at the battle of Jericho. But in reality, Joshua displays many archetypes of a hero like many other in the Bible. Archetype is the idea that recurring patterns in different assemblies exist universally and instinctively in the collective unconscious of man.
Emily Dickinson Essay Research Paper Dickinson
Emily Dickinson Essay, Research Paper Dickinson’s use of humour While much of Emily Dickinson’s poetry has been described as sad or morose, the poetess did use humor and irony in many of her poems. This essay will address the humor and/ or irony found in five of Dickinson’s poems: “Faith” is a Fine Invention, I’m Nobody! Who are you?, Some keep the Sabbath Going to Church and Success Is Counted Sweetest.
A And P Essay 1 Essay Research
Paper Sammy vs. the Grocery Store In the story, A & P , John Updike differentiates the views of Sammy and the store with many eye-catching techniques. By presenting the store as the antagonist, the reader gains Sammy sense of view about things through his close detail and humor of situations. Well before the dramatic opportunity presents itself for Sammy to quit his job, his narrative voice has established his individualism, imagination and his subversive sense of humor that already set him at odds with his jobs dull routine.
Consrtuctive Criticism Essay Research Paper I believe
Consrtuctive Criticism Essay, Research Paper I believe that constructive criticism promotes learning and improvement andis a form of advise that can help one and that one can benefit from. Offeringone constructive criticism can help one to overcome bad habits and problems.Constructive criticism is similar to criticism in that it is an opinion by anindividual, but the difference is that constructive criticism is used to be ofassistance in improving one’s nature, character, and personality and Criticismis words used by an individual that puts down or degrades another individualwithout serving a useful.