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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. Folly states that not wanting more than your share of wisdom is a true sign of what?

2. Folly's father is the god of what?

3. Which soldier was "as cowardly in battle as he was skilled in speech-making"?

4. What does Folly say would be rampant without her?

5. In criticizing the men of his day, whom does Erasmus name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Folly's birthplace.

2. How does Folly say that Jupiter bestows passion and reason to man?

3. Why does Folly consider her presence to be essential to friendship?

4. How does Folly describe her parentage?

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

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

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

8. What does Folly say about emotions in relation to wisdom?

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

10. In his Prefatory Letter, why did Erasmus marvel at the sensitivity of present-day ears?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the concept of friendship in The Praise of Folly. How would you describe Erasmus and More's friendship? What does Folly say about friendship? Do you think Erasmus believed folly necessary for his own friendships?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The statement is made that only fools are allowed to speak the truth without giving offense. Is this why Erasmus used Folly? Do you think he offended people? Does Folly speak the truth? What is one example of when she does and one example of when she does not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 615 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample