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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 Christ compared himself with which foolish animal?

2. Which character represents "flattery given to another"?

3. Whom does Fortune favor?

4. Why are poets not as much in debt to Folly as schoolmasters are?

5. Folly believes that medicine and law are an aspect of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Before using the Scriptures, which authorities does Folly cite as supporting her?

2. How does Folly argue that Fortune favors the foolish?

3. How does Folly respond to the argument that foolishness is an unhappy state?

4. Does Folly state that monks are foolish?

5. How does Folly differentiate between the two types of insanity?

6. Where in the courts of kings does Folly say that she is evident?

7. What example does Folly take from the animal kingdom to prove her point that the most foolish are the happiest?

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

9. How does Folly compare theologians to the apostles?

10. According to Folly, which legendary age produced the happiest people, and why?

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's main argument is that she brings happiness to men. Explain and give three examples of men who are made happier by Folly. Would you agree?

Essay Topic 3

Erasmus relies heavily on personification in The Praise of Folly. Give one example of personification besides that of Folly. How does Erasmus use personification to his benefit? Is his use effective?

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