Who is the author of 'In praise of folly'?

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Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:
The author of the satirical essay "In Praise of Folly" (Moriae Encomium in Latin) is Desiderius Erasmus (1469–1536). Erasmus was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and scholar who is considered one of the most influential figures of the Northern Renaissance. Written in 1509 and first published in 1511, the work is a brilliantly witty critique delivered as an oration by the goddess Folly herself. In this monologue, Folly praises her own benefits to mankind, using her voice to criticize various human failings, superstitions, and the corruption within the Catholic Church, including practices of popes, cardinals, and theologians. The book was a pivotal text that helped lay the intellectual foundation for the Protestant Reformation by highlighting the need for reform, while simultaneously being a masterpiece of humanist literature that emphasized clarity, wit, and classical learning. It was written while Erasmus was staying with his friend, Sir Thomas More, whose name it jokingly incorporates in its title (Moriae, Greek for 'folly', also hints at 'More').

The incorrect option is 2:
Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) was a great Italian poet of the Late Middle Ages. His most famous work is *The Divine Comedy* (composed of *Inferno*, *Purgatorio*, and *Paradiso*), which is an epic poem describing his journey through the afterlife. Dante's work precedes Erasmus's by about two centuries and belongs to a different period and genre.

The incorrect option is 3:
Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca, 1304–1374) was an Italian scholar and poet credited with initiating the Renaissance movement and founding Renaissance humanism. His most famous works are his collections of vernacular poetry, particularly the *Canzoniere* (Rerum vulgarium fragmenta), which is largely composed of sonnets addressed to his muse, Laura. He is recognized for his lyrical poetry and his revival of classical texts, not for "In Praise of Folly."

The incorrect option is 4:
Sir Thomas More (1478–1535) was an English lawyer, social philosopher, and statesman who served as Lord High Chancellor of England. He was a close friend of Erasmus, and the two were key figures in Renaissance humanism. More’s most famous work is *Utopia*, a work of fiction and political philosophy describing a perfect island society. Although Erasmus dedicated "In Praise of Folly" to More, he was not the author of the work.