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FRANCOIS RABELAIS VOICE OF A GENERATION
Important Information Born:1494 at La Deviniere near Chinon in the French province of Touraine. Died: 1553 in Paris, France. Family: Little known about them except his father was a middle-class lawyer. He never married nor did he leave any descendnats Education: Joined a Franciscan monastery, most likely so he could study the ancient texts that were housed there. He then transferred to a more liberal Benedictine monastery, where he continued to study ancient texts. In the 1520's he left the monastery and returned to secular life. He then studied medicine at various universities in Paris. In 1530 he received a bachelor degree of medicine from the University of Montpellier. During the 1530's he traveled to Rome where he absorbed humanist ideas, which he expressed throughout his many works.
Rabelais' Accomplishments - He was an exceptional author who wrote 4 and possibly 5 bestselling books and invented several words which eventually became part of the French language. -He was one of the most famous humanists of the Renaissance. -He was an outstanding physician. - He was perhaps the greatest Greek scholar of his era.
Gargantua and Pantagruel - Collection of 4, possibly 5 books including Pantagruel (1532), Gargantua (1534), Le Tiers Livre (1546), Le Quart Livre (1552), and possibly Le Quint Livre (1562) . Writing these books is what Rabelais is best known for. -Chronicled the adventures of two giants named Gargantua and Pantagruel. -Based on Arthurian legend and French folklore. -These stories symbolized the transition from the Medieval period to the Renaissance, and they ridiculed Medieval establishments such as the Catholic Church.
Impact on History -His writings truly captured the spirit of the Renaissance. -Encouraged learning and living life to the fullest. -His protagonist, Gargantua, became a model for the perfect Renaissance man, being strong physically, mentally, and spiritually. -Led others to question institutions such as the Catholic Church.
The 5th Book Contraversy - A 5th book, Le Quint Livre, which continues the story of Gargantua and Pantagruel after the events of the 4th book was published in 1562, 9 years after Rabelais' death and under a different name. The book is said to have been partially written by Rabelais and completed and published by a friend of his. Historians today still dispute what role Rabelais had in writing the book.
Famous Quotes -"The farce is finished. I go to seek a vast perhaps." -Last words. -"We have here other fish to fry." -"I never sleep comfortably except when I am at sermon or when I pray to God." -"I have nothing, I owe a great deal, and the rest I leave to the poor"- His will. -"For laughter makes men human, and courageous. BE HAPPY! "-Intro to Gargantua and Pantagruel.
