Erasmus, The Praise of Folly, trans.

 Erasmus, The Praise of Folly, trans. & edited Hoyt Hopewell Hudson (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2015) First Eight Sections, 1-20.

Erasmus's The Praise of Folly is a satirical masterpiece that critiques societal, religious, and academic conventions through the voice of Folly herself. The first eight sections (pages 1-20) lay the groundwork for the text’s themes and tone. Here's an analysis of these sections:

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1. Introduction and Self-Praise of Folly

• The work opens with Folly introducing herself as the speaker and praising her own virtues.
• She asserts that she is central to human life, providing happiness, relief, and the pleasures of self-deception.
• Folly humorously claims credit for everything from human reproduction to the joys of ignorance.

Key Theme: Folly embodies the contradictions in human nature, blending wisdom with absurdity.

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2. The Playful Tone

• Erasmus adopts a mock-epic style, using exaggerated rhetoric to celebrate Folly.
• The tone is light-hearted but carries an undercurrent of sharp critique, targeting human pretensions and societal norms.

Example:

• Folly mocks those who seek fame, power, and academic accolades, highlighting the foolishness of these pursuits.

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3. Critique of Human Ambitions

• Folly exposes the vanity in human ambitions, including the pursuit of wealth, status, and intellectual superiority.
• She argues that life’s greatest joys come from simplicity and foolishness, rather than overthinking or striving for greatness.

Reflection:

• This critique reflects Erasmus’s humanist philosophy, emphasizing humility and the absurdity of human pride.

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4. Folly’s Role in Society

• Folly claims to be the foundation of social bonds and institutions. She asserts that without her, friendships, marriages, and communities would fall apart.
• By embracing folly, people tolerate each other’s flaws and maintain harmony.

Satirical Edge:

• Erasmus subtly critiques the superficiality and hypocrisy of societal interactions.

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5. Folly and Religion

• While this section doesn’t delve deeply into religion yet, Folly hints at her influence on religious practices.
• She implies that much of what passes for piety and devotion is rooted in ignorance and self-deception.

Foreshadowing:

• This sets the stage for later critiques of the Church and its practices.

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6. The Universality of Folly

• Folly argues that no one is immune to her influence, from commoners to kings, scholars to clergy.
• She presents herself as the great equalizer, bringing humor and joy to all levels of society.

Irony:

• By praising folly, Erasmus invites readers to reflect on their own susceptibility to foolishness.

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7. Philosophical Underpinnings

• Folly contrasts the happiness of the ignorant with the misery of the wise. She suggests that overthinking leads to discontent, while embracing folly brings contentment.
• This aligns with the Stoic and Epicurean traditions of seeking balance and simplicity in life.

Philosophical Reflection:

• Erasmus critiques excessive intellectualism, advocating for a more grounded approach to life.

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8. The Role of Satire

• Through Folly, Erasmus uses satire to expose human flaws without direct condemnation.
• The playful tone disarms readers, making them more receptive to the critique embedded in the text.

Legacy:

• The use of satire in The Praise of Folly influenced later writers like Jonathan Swift and Voltaire.

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Conclusion

In the first eight sections of The Praise of Folly, Erasmus blends humor and critique to explore the human condition. Folly’s celebration of herself serves as a mirror, reflecting society’s absurdities while encouraging readers to laugh at themselves. This text remains a cornerstone of Renaissance humanism, advocating for humility, self-awareness, and the recognition of folly in all aspects of life.