View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Erasmus states that his praise of folly has not been altogether what?

2. How does Folly describe a wise man without emotions?

3. Erasmus remembers that someone wrote the last will and testament of the piglet Grunnius Corocotta, as mentioned by whom?

4. According to Folly, to whom does life owe its beginning?

5. Who said, "Happy the states where either philosophers are kings or kings are philosophers"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Does Folly have a good opinion of the children of wise men?

2. What does Folly say was her effect upon her audience?

3. Why does Folly claim to be a god?

4. Are women more or less foolish than men, according to Folly?

5. Does Folly agree with those who say that it is conceited to praise one's self?

6. Why did Erasmus ask More to be a champion of Folly?

7. How does Folly describe her parentage?

8. In his Prefatory Letter, did Erasmus admit he wrote Praise of Folly with sarcasm?

9. What benefits does Folly dispense to men?

10. How does Folly claim to be responsible for art?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Erasmus does not explicitly name specific people from his day as followers of Folly, but he does name professions. Choose two occupations and show how its members are followers of Folly. How does Folly criticize them with her praise?

Essay Topic 2

Both Erasmus in his Prefatory Letter and Folly in her speech appeal to precedents. Compare the two passages. What is the purpose of each? Whom does Erasmus reference? Whom does "Folly" reference?

Essay Topic 3

Erasmus began his book with a Prefatory Letter to his friend More. What was the purpose of this letter? What arguments does he make in it?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 618 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample