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. What does Folly say that priests battle for?

2. Which nation shows its self-love by claiming a monopoly on polite manners?

3. The Stoics believed that nothing is as pitiable as what?

4. Which wise men of his day did Folly say that Christ attacked?

5. Folly states that Christ compared himself with which foolish animal?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Folly, how did Christ show folly?

2. How does Folly argue that flattery is not incompatible with sincerity?

3. What examples does Folly give of the benevolent form of insanity?

4. Explain the communal form of Self-love, which Folly claims Nature has implanted.

5. How does Folly explain that humans amuse the gods?

6. How does Folly say that schoolmasters are indebted to her?

7. Describe the worship of the goddess Folly.

8. How does Folly compare theologians to the apostles?

9. According to Folly, who was happier: Gryllus or Odysseus? Why?

10. Why does Folly say that kings like to be around fools?

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

"There is merit in being attacked by Folly." Is the converse also true? Show three examples from the book in which Erasmus intended to attack with his praise.

Essay Topic 3

Define the characteristic folly. Who displays folly, according to the narrator, Folly? In your opinion, is folly admirable?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 644 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample