Latin 309.301
Erasmus
O'Donnell
TR 1:30-3:00
TBA
Distribution III: Arts & Letters

Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1469-1536) was arguably the most polished, the wittiest, and at the same time the most learned man every to write Latin. Erasmus was scholar, businessman, technophile, houseguest, bastard, and lady's man. His works look and taste like delightful gourmet meringues, but turn out to have a serious and often quite profound purpose. We will begin by reading some of his amusing "conversations" (Colloquia), meant to teach proper Latin to beginners, then read together his *Praise of Folly*, his masterwork. Final exam on translation to be supplemented by short paper on one or more of his minor works -- the conversations, the collections of proverbs (designed to edify the young, often with a twist), and the letters (designed to introduce the reader to their urbane, charming, and skilfully self-promoting author).