Research Catalog

Title

Rabelais's contempt for fortune : pantagruelism, politics, and philosophy / Timothy Haglund.

Author

Haglund, Timothy, 1987-

Publication

• Lanham : Lexington Books, [2019]
• ©2019

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

ix, 167 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

Francois Rabelais wrote Gargantua and Pantagruel at the height of the Renaissance, when top-caliber thinkers aimed to unite the best of freshly rediscovered ancient Greco-Roman theory and practice and transform politics. Through his work, Rabelais offers his unique understanding of ancient philosophy and political thought. This book considers the role of fortune as the key to understanding Rabelais, much in the manner of contemporaries such as Machiavelli. The two could not be more different, however. Throughout his writings, Rabelais attempts to restore respect for the goddess Fortuna through a cheerful restatement of the case for the sober classical attitude toward future things. As Rabelais's headstrong character Panurge seeks counsel regarding his marriage prospects, various authorities repeatedly warn him that cuckoldry and spousal abuse await. Panurge looks foolhardy during these admonitions. Far from affirming Machiavelli's instruction, given in chapter 25 of The Prince, to beat fortune like a woman, Rabelais dramatizes Panurge learning that his future femme may beat him. Through this dramatization, Panurge begins to hear the merits of viewing fortune as an intractable part of life that must be shouldered with the proper inner disposition rather than as an object susceptible of human conquest.

Series Statement

Politics, literature, and film

Uniform Title

Politics, literature, & film.

Subject

• Rabelais, François, approximately 1490-1553? > Criticism and interpretation
• Rabelais, François, approximately 1490-1553? > Political and social views
• Rabelais, François, approximately 1490-1553?
• Politics in literature
• Fortune in literature
• Political and social views

Genre/Form

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-162) and index.

Contents

Our religion, the political state, and private life -- Interpreting Rabelais pantagruelically -- Philosophers as citizens : Diogenism, Machiavellianism, Pantagruelism -- Interpreting Machiavelli pantagruelically -- Dutiful philosophy : the role of Debvoir in Panurge's outlook -- Panurge versus the authorities -- Blowing bubbles, understanding nature : nature and the pantagruelion herb -- Back to Diogenes' barrel--and tomb.

Call Number

JFE 19-2096

ISBN

• 9781498575454
• 1498575455

LCCN

2018046585

OCLC

1052877604

Author

Haglund, Timothy, 1987- author.

Title

Rabelais's contempt for fortune : pantagruelism, politics, and philosophy / Timothy Haglund.

Publisher

Lanham : Lexington Books, [2019]

Copyright Date

©2019

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Politics, literature, and film

Politics, literature, & film.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-162) and index.

Other Form:

Ebook version : 9781498575461

Research Call Number

JFE 19-2096