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Get every literary device explanation for The Praise of Folly
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Allusion
Explanation and Analysis—Superstition :
After satirizing various human professions, Folly directs her satirical gaze upon the Catholic Church. Drawing pointed allusions to various Christian saints alongside figures from classical mythology, Folly states:
And next to these come the folk who have arrived at the foolish but gratifying belief that if they gaze on a picture of Polyphemus-Christopher they will not die that day, or that whoever salutes in certain prescribed words an image of Barbara will come through a battle unharmed, or that by making application to Erasmus on certain days, using a certain kind of candles and certain prayers, one will shortly become rich. Indeed, they have discovered another Hercules, and even another Hippolytus, in George.
Though Erasmus remained a Catholic his entire life, refusing to ally himself with Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther, he often criticized the Catholic Church for its supposed excesses, including acceptance of beliefs and traditions which Erasmus regarded as superstitious. Here, Folly satirizes those “who have arrived at the foolish but gratifying belief” that they can gain good fortune and security by worshiping images of the Christian saints.
By alluding to both Christian saints and figures from classical mythology, Folly suggests that these religious practices are not truly Christian. For example, she claims that some Catholics have “discovered another Hercules [...] in George.” Here, she alludes both to Hercules, the strong hero from mythology, and to St. George, the patron saint of England. Her allusions, then, imply that some individuals are worshiping St. George incorrectly, not as a venerated Christian martyr, but rather as a mighty hero, in the manner of Ancient Roman religious belief.
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