Desiderius Erasmus, The Praise of Folly

Desiderius Erasmus, The Praise of Folly
Study Questions

1. 
   Everyone in Erasmus’ book worships the Goddess Folly, but each group does so in its own way. What is the folly of:
   
   1. 
      Intellectuals
      
   2. 
      Nobles
      
   3. 
      Women
      

2. Erasmus’ most sustained criticism is of the folly (or follies) of the church, but unlike many writers of the time he is also deeply critical of ordinary people’s piety. Trace the main lines of his critique both of the ecclesiastical hierarchy and of the ordinary Christian.

3. 
   What would Erasmus like Christianity to look like? What is his ideal for the church and the individual believer?
   

3. 
   Unlike the fictional Jorge of Burgos, Erasmus clearly believes in the power of laughter. However some have alleged that he is not greatly compelled by the deeper mysteries of faith. What do you think?
   

3. 
   It is often said the Erasmus hatched the egg that Luther laid. But Erasmus himself never left the Catholic Church, though many urged him to do so. Why do you think he didn’t?
   

3. 
   In the end is Folly good or bad in Erasmus’ view?