By the late Middle Ages the Catholic Church had become the most powerful organization in the western world. More powerful than the government, the Church insisted that its clergy were not subject to the laws of secular kings, and thus could only be tried by the Church. Furthermore, the clergy went as far to sell indulgences to wealthy individuals, guaranteeing them remission of time in Purgatory. In contrast to Medieval times, the Renaissance was a period of questioning and discovery. People started to think independently and experiment with new ideas and concepts. Two authors of this period, Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More, were both devout Catholics who used religion as a centerpiece in many of their works. Through Raphael Hythloday’s
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In contrast, in Praise of Folly Desiderius Erasmus uses his character Folly, to voice his many criticisms of the current state of the Christian Church. Both More and Erasmus successfully use rhetoric to expose the corrupt nature of the Church, however More uses Hythloday’s voice to take a conservative approach by praising the central elements of Christianity while Erasmus uses Folly to voice his radical criticisms for the immoral traditions held dear by church leaders. A satire narrated by Folly, a Greek goddess, Praise of Folly brings to light the unethical acts of the Church. In a single monologue, Folly makes fools of virtually all respected individuals, including kings, philosophers, authors, and especially the clergy. Folly’s general criticism of the Roman Catholic Church focuses on three topics: the wrongdoings of the theologians, the straying from the philosophy of Christ, and the corruption of the Supreme Pontiffs. Using Folly to express his own opinion, Erasmus believes that the theologians were misleading the public with their wrong interpretations of the Bible. Folly humorously points out that theologians can describe “everything in hell down to the last detail, as if they’d spent years in there” (132). She then suggests that they should …show more content…
Folly, a goddess of foolishness, seeks to encourage and support mankind’s many faults and shortcomings. She begins by praising herself endlessly, arguing that life would be dull and distasteful without her. Folly explains that “no society, no association of people in this world can be happy or last long without [her] help” (22). She is arguing that nearly every single relationship that can exist on earth needs a dose of folly and that she makes people happier because of their foolishness and ignorance. Folly’s entire monologue consists of criticism of man as well as Christianity, regarding its religious authority and practices. In regards to man, she says, “not only are they ignorant of themselves, they cannot avoid falling into a ditch or stumbling over a rock in the path” (56). Folly is referring to how men regard their philosophers and tend to glorify them; they ignorantly believe that philosophers know the mysteries of the universe. However, it is the philosophers and theologians that are “obliged to [folly],” and thus are the most foolish (57). In regard to Christianity, she states that “the entire Christian religion seems to bear a certain natural affinity to folly, and to relate far less clearly to wisdom” (82). In her opinion, the scriptures revere simplicity and ignorance, promoting false wisdom and devotion to the ways of the world. She
In contrast, in Praise of Folly Desiderius Erasmus uses his character Folly, to voice his many criticisms of the current state of the Christian Church. Both More and Erasmus successfully use rhetoric to expose the corrupt nature of the Church, however More uses Hythloday’s voice to take a conservative approach by praising the central elements of Christianity while Erasmus uses Folly to voice his radical criticisms for the immoral traditions held dear by church leaders. A satire narrated by Folly, a Greek goddess, Praise of Folly brings to light the unethical acts of the Church. In a single monologue, Folly makes fools of virtually all respected individuals, including kings, philosophers, authors, and especially the clergy. Folly’s general criticism of the Roman Catholic Church focuses on three topics: the wrongdoings of the theologians, the straying from the philosophy of Christ, and the corruption of the Supreme Pontiffs. Using Folly to express his own opinion, Erasmus believes that the theologians were misleading the public with their wrong interpretations of the Bible. Folly humorously points out that theologians can describe “everything in hell down to the last detail, as if they’d spent years in there” (132). She then suggests that they should …show more content…
Folly, a goddess of foolishness, seeks to encourage and support mankind’s many faults and shortcomings. She begins by praising herself endlessly, arguing that life would be dull and distasteful without her. Folly explains that “no society, no association of people in this world can be happy or last long without [her] help” (22). She is arguing that nearly every single relationship that can exist on earth needs a dose of folly and that she makes people happier because of their foolishness and ignorance. Folly’s entire monologue consists of criticism of man as well as Christianity, regarding its religious authority and practices. In regards to man, she says, “not only are they ignorant of themselves, they cannot avoid falling into a ditch or stumbling over a rock in the path” (56). Folly is referring to how men regard their philosophers and tend to glorify them; they ignorantly believe that philosophers know the mysteries of the universe. However, it is the philosophers and theologians that are “obliged to [folly],” and thus are the most foolish (57). In regard to Christianity, she states that “the entire Christian religion seems to bear a certain natural affinity to folly, and to relate far less clearly to wisdom” (82). In her opinion, the scriptures revere simplicity and ignorance, promoting false wisdom and devotion to the ways of the world. She