Praise of Folly

Name: Praise of Folly
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9780140446081
Price: 24.0 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Desiderius Erasmus

0.0 (0 reviews)

3.83

( 19,928 ratings, 1,312 reviews)

Summary

Praise of Folly by Desiderius Erasmus is a satirical work where Folly, personified as a lively and humorous figure, praises herself and mocks the foolishness prevalent in society. The narrative cleverly critiques various societal, religious, and academic institutions, highlighting human weaknesses with wit and irony. Through Folly's playful yet insightful monologue, Erasmus offers a profound commentary on the contradictions and absurdities of human nature and the world.
Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Praise of Folly. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This delightful satire offers a humorous critique of the societal and religious practices of the early 16th century. You may enjoy it if you appreciate witty commentary woven with classical references and insights into human folly. It's perfect for those interested in the intersection of philosophy, religion, and humour.

Praise of Folly

Erasmus ranges from light-hearted jibes to vehement denunciation of the theologians and churchmen, monastic life and the condition of the Church, and then seriously expounds the virtues of the Christian way of life. This work is one of the best satirical classics of the Renaissance.

Description

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.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praise of Folly by Desiderius Erasmus is a celebrated work known for its sharp satire and critique of societal and religious norms of the time. Reviewers often highlight its clever wit and enduring relevance as Erasmus uses the personification of Folly to offer insightful commentary on human vanities. The text's humour and the author's brilliant use of irony are praised, making it a classic in both religious and literary circles.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140446081

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 November 1993

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

Translated by Betty Radice
Introduction by A. Levi
Notes by A. Levi

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 192g

Pages: 256

Collections

Desiderius Erasmus Non-Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Religion & Spirituality

About the Author

Desiderius Erasmus, born about 1469, went to school at Gouda, Utrecht and Deventer. He became the most famous humanist of the Northern Renaissance. Erasmus travelled widely, and his thought was particularly influential in England, where he became a close friend of Thomas More. He died in Basle in 1536. Betty Radice became joint editor of the Penguin Classics in 1964, and translated from the Latin, Greek and Italian. She was an honorary fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford. She died in 1983. A.H.T. Levi was Buchanan Professor of French Language and Literature at the University of St Andrews and has published extensively on the Renaissance.