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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Folly say everyone finds delightful about adolescence?

2. Whom does Folly consider more foolish than men?

3. According to Folly, who would be disagreeable and disliked if not graced by her divine powers?

4. Who segregated passions from the wise man?

5. Erasmus answers the charge that he is too sarcastic by saying that ________ has always enjoyed freedom to exercise their wit on the common life of man.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Erasmus dedicate his book to Thomas More?

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

3. How does Folly describe her parentage?

4. How does Folly describe her reputation?

5. What does Folly say is the happiest age of man, and why?

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

7. Where was Erasmus when he was writing The Praise of Folly?

8. Does Folly speak highly of prudence?

9. Did Erasmus consider The Praise of Folly too frivolous for a theologian?

10. Did Erasmus anticipate criticism for his book? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Folly contrasts natural instinct with learning. Describe this comparison. How does Folly describe each? Which side does Folly praise? Is this Erasmus's opinion?

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 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?

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