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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. Who does Folly say refutes pagan philosophers by their way of life rather than syllogisms?

2. What does Folly say that priests battle for?

3. When did Christ first make himself a fool, in Folly's opinion?

4. To whom does God reveal the mystery of salvation, according to Folly?

5. Whom does Folly consider happier than Odysseus (also known as Ulysses)?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Folly relate to sin in the cases of Aaron, Saul, David, and Paul?

2. According to Folly, which kind of authors are happy?

3. After comparing herself to Bacchus, in what ways does Folly consider herself superior to the other gods?

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

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

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

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

8. Does Folly state that monks are foolish?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Erasmus began his book with a Prefatory Letter to his friend More. What was the purpose of this letter? What arguments does he make in it?

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