-Gargantua and Pantagruel

A French Renaissance humanist, doctor, monk, and author, Rabelais is remembered for his Gargantua and Pantagruel stories, which follow the adventures of two giants. These stories were influenced by the fantastical writings of the ancient Greek author Lucian of Samosata, whose work Rabelais translated (also on display in this exhibit). The first two books in this series, Pantagruel and La vie très horrifique du grand Gargantua, are filled with humor and optimism. This utopian sentiment is apparent in the imagined Abbey of Theleme, which was founded by Gargantua and home to beautiful and pleasant men and women who live a life of luxury. The abbey’s only rule is that inhabitants “Do as you will,” since Rabelais believed that happy and free people would behave well. The third and fourth works in this series were less optimistic, following the death of Rabelais’ patrons and increasing religious and political hostility in France. This changing attitude can be seen in the imaginary places described, like the island of Clerkship where inhabitants make money by insulting people and then getting beaten. Rabelais also describes the island of Popimania, whose inhabitants believe the Pope to be God and devote their entire lives to worshiping him. While these novels were popular, their extravagance and perceived obscenity resulted in their censorship in France by the Sorbonne.