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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whom does Folly consider more foolish than men?
(a) Nymphs.
(b) Gods.
(c) Women.
(d) Animals.

2. According to Erasmus, nothing is so trivial as treating what in a trivial manner?
(a) The mundane.
(b) Serious subjects.
(c) Jokes.
(d) Trivialities.

3. What does Folly state is necessary for a woman to agree to wedlock?
(a) Madness.
(b) Force.
(c) Love.
(d) Deception.

4. Erasmus states that anyone who believes himself injured by Praise of Folly betrays what?
(a) A guilty conscience.
(b) Sensitivity.
(c) A moral awareness.
(d) Pettiness.

5. Erasmus believes he is not writing sarcasm, but what instead?
(a) Allegorical interpretation.
(b) Criticism and dissent.
(c) Innocent jokes.
(d) Warning and advice.

6. Who said, "Happy the states where either philosophers are kings or kings are philosophers"?
(a) Plato.
(b) Lucian.
(c) Homer.
(d) Aristotle.

7. What first put the idea of The Praise of Folly into Erasmus's head?
(a) A book he was reading.
(b) His friend's family name.
(c) A humorous event on his trip.
(d) His dream.

8. According to Erasmus, nothing is more entertaining than treating what in such a way as to make it clear you are doing anything but trifling with them?
(a) Readers.
(b) Trivialities.
(c) Political leaders.
(d) Serious subjects.

9. Because Folly dispenses every benefit to all alike, what does she think she should be named?
(a) "Alpha" of all gods.
(b) "Goddess Divine."
(c) "Fountain of Blessings"
(d) "Benefactor" of all men.

10. What does Folly say everyone finds delightful about adolescence?
(a) Energy.
(b) Wisdom.
(c) Life.
(d) Folly.

11. To what does Folly recall the elderly?
(a) Childhood.
(b) Wisdom.
(c) Middle Age.
(d) Fantasies.

12. According to Folly, who would be disagreeable and disliked if not graced by her divine powers?
(a) The Sophists.
(b) The gods.
(c) The nobility.
(d) The Stoics.

13. According to Folly, who shows the way to perfect wisdom?
(a) Flattery.
(b) Ignorance.
(c) Folly.
(d) Wisdom.

14. Who speaks at the beginning of The Praise of Folly?
(a) More.
(b) Praise.
(c) Folly.
(d) Homer.

15. How did Folly begin life?
(a) Smiling sweetly.
(b) Deviously.
(c) Crying.
(d) Running and jumping.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following does Erasmus name as a famous author who wrote frivolity?

2. Folly considers emotions to be what in relation to wisdom?

3. Folly dresses in unaccustomed garb because she is imitating whom?

4. What is the least deceptive mirror of the mind?

5. What must one do to be considered a god, according to Folly?

(see the answer keys)

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