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Metaphors
Definition of Mood
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect of a piece of writing... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes... read full definition
Preface to Thomas More
Explanation and Analysis:
Despite the occasional sharpness of Erasmus’s critique, the overall mood of The Praise of Folly is comical and light-hearted, reflecting the overall silly nature of Folly herself. In the letter to Thomas More that opens the essay, Erasmus describes the light-hearted mood to come:
But aside from the fact that I refrain throughout from using names, I have in addition so tempered my style that the judicious reader will easily perceive that my end is pleasure rather than censure. I do not anywhere rake into the occult cesspool of vices, after the manner of Juvenal, but take care to set out things that are ridiculous rather than foul. Still, if there is anyone whom the work cannot please, he should at least remember this, that it is a fine thing to be slandered by Folly.
Related Themes:
