Satire Essay

The Encyclopedia Britannica defines satire as an “artistic form, chiefly literary and dramatic, in which human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, parody, caricature, or other methods, sometimes with an intent to inspire social reform” (“Satire”).
Among satirical works, through which scientific and literary activity of Desiderius Erasmus received wide public importance and led to his prominent place not only in the history of literature, but also in world history, particularly outstanding importance has "The Praise of Folly". Erasmus wrote this short essay because he had nothing to do, during his long move from Italy to England in 1509. Erasmus himself looked at it his work, as at the literary trifle, but he owes this trifle his fame and his place in history, no less than his voluminous scientific writings. The dominant tone of Erasmus’ satire is humorous, not sarcastic. His laughter imbued mostly with good-natured humor, often with subtle irony. In its form, "The Praise of Folly" is a parody of the eulogy – a form, which was very popular at that time. The main objective of this work for Erasmus was to look at the surrounding contemporary reality, as well as at the whole humanity, the whole world in terms of stupidity. This view, based on such a common to all humanity, inherent to “all times and peoples” quality as stupidity, gave the author an opportunity to draw a satirical portrait of all humanity, affecting many vital problems of those times. Due to this, "The Praise of Folly" took place among the ageless works of world literature due to the presence of the common to all humankind element, which makes it understandable and interesting to every man.

Works cited

"Satire". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia
Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 14 April 2015.
<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/524958/satire>.