Francois Rabelais (years of life - 1494-1553) -A famous humanist writer hailing from France. He received world fame thanks to the novel "Gargantua and Pantagruel." This book is an encyclopedic monument of the Renaissance in France. Rejecting the asceticism of the Middle Ages, prejudices and bigotry, Rabelais in the grotesque images of characters inspired by folklore, reveals the humanistic ideals characteristic of their time.
Career Priest
Rabelais was born in Touraine in 1494.His father was a wealthy landowner. Around 1510, Francois became a novice in a monastery. He brought vows in 1521. In 1524, Greek books were confiscated from Rabelais. The fact is that during the period of the spread of Protestantism, Orthodox theologians were suspicious of the Greek language, which was considered heretical. He gave the opportunity to interpret the New Testament in his own way. Francois had to go to the Benedictines, more tolerant in this regard. However, in 1530 he decided to lay down his rank and go to Montpellier to study medicine. Here in 1532 Rabelais published the works of Galen and Hippocrates, the famous healers. Also in Montpellier, he had two children from a widow. They were legalized in 1540 by the edict of Pope Paul IV.
Medical activities
Rabelais was allowed to be a secular priest in 1536year He began medical practice. Francois became a doctor of medicine in 1537 and lectured on this science at the University of Montpellier. In addition, he was a personal physician under Cardinal J. du Bellet. Rabelais accompanied the Cardinal twice to Rome. Francois was patronized all his life by influential politicians (M. Navarre, G. du Bellet), as well as high-ranking clerics from the liberals. This saved Rabelais from the many troubles that the publication of his novel could bring.
The novel "Gargantua and Pantagruel"
Rabelais found his true vocation in 1532.Acquainted with the "folk book of Gargantua", François published in imitation of her "continuation" of the king of dipods Pantagruel. In the long title of the work of Francois was the name of Master Alcofibas, who allegedly wrote this book. Alkofibas Nazier is an anagram consisting of the letters of the last name and the name of Rabelais himself. This book was condemned by the Sorbonne for obscenity, but the public accepted it with enthusiasm. Many people liked the story of giants.
In 1534, the humanist Francois Rabelais createdone book with at least a long title telling about the life of Gargantua. This work of logic must follow first, since Gargantua is the father of Pantagruel. In 1546 another, third book appeared. It was already signed not by a pseudonym, but by the proper name of Francois Rabelais. The Sorbonne also condemned this work for heresy. Some time had to hide from the persecution of Francois Rabelais.
His biography marked publication in 1548fourth book, not yet complete. The full version appeared in 1552. This time the case was not limited to condemning Sorbonne. This book was banned by the parliament. Nevertheless, the story managed to hush up influential friends Francois. The last, fifth book was published in 1564, after the death of the author. Most researchers dispute the view that it should be included in the work of Francois Rabelais. Most likely, according to his notes, one of his students completed the storyline.
Encyclopedia of laughter
Roman Francois is a real encyclopedia of laughter.It contains all kinds of comic. It is not easy for us to appreciate the subtle irony of the erudite author of the 16th century, since the object of ridicule has long ceased to exist. However, the audience of Francois Rabelais, of course, enjoyed very much the story of St. Victor’s library, where the author parodyed (and often obscenely) played with many names of the medieval treatises: “Codpiece of Law”, “Target of Salvation”, “On the Excellent Traditions” and etc. Researchers note that the medieval types of comedy are primarily associated with the popular culture of laughter. At the same time, there are also such forms in the work that can be considered “absolute”, capable of causing laughter at any time. These include, in particular, all relating to human physiology. It remains unchanged at any time. However, in the course of history, attitudes toward physiological functions change. In particular, in the tradition of folk culture of laughter, “images of the material and physical bottom” were specially depicted (such a definition was given by the Russian researcher M. M. Bakhtin). Creativity Francois Rabelais largely followed this tradition, which can be called ambivalent. That is, these images caused laughter, capable of "burying and reviving" at the same time. However, in the New time they continued their existence already in the sphere of low comedy. Many of the jokes of Panurge still remain ridiculous, but they often cannot be retelled or even more or less accurately translated using the words that Rabelais fearlessly used.
The last years of life Rabelais
The last years of the life of Francois Rabelais are covered in mystery.We do not know anything for certain about his death, except for the epitaphs of such poets as Pierre de Ronsard and Jacques Taureau. The first one, by the way, sounds rather strange and is by no means complimentary in tone. Both of these epitaphs were created in 1554. Researchers believe that Francois Rabelais died in 1553. His biography does not give reliable information even about where this writer was buried. It is believed that his remains rest in Paris, in the cemetery of the Cathedral of St. Paul.
