Gargantua

9 Pages 2310 Words

Francois Rabelais’ Gargantua: A Record of Life in Contemporary 16th Century France

Francois Rabelais’ satirical book Gargantua appeared as Europe was experiencing the widespread transition from the late middle ages into the early modern era. During this period of the High Renaissance, a shift in consciousness and values was occurring that was typified by the new movement of humanism. Rabelais illustrates this new humanist mentality through his biographical writings of a giant named Gargantua. Embedded within the story of Gargantua’s life lies Rabelais opinions and attitude towards religion, individualism and the institutions of the church and the monarchy. Throughout Gargantua, Rabelais criticizes such subjects as scholasticism, belief in the supernatural, the adherence to rules, the monarchy, the church and the vice of monasticism, and advocates a humanist education and individualism. Through his use of diverse and comical characters placed within a racy and scatological storyline, Rabelais is able to give the reader a unique glimpse into the intellect and morality of contemporary French society at a time in between eras. He opens his work with a piece supporting the authenticity of the record of the young giant’s genealogy.
According to Rabelais’ Gargantua, Grandgousier, the giant king of Theleme, and his wife Gargamelle were expecting a child. It was during the eleventh month of Gargamelle’s pregnancy that she had eaten too many tainted tripe and gone off to play games and frolic at the Willow-grove. It was here that Gargamelle began to feel “disturbed in her lower parts”, and proceeded to give birth to a child from her left ear. This large child was appropriately named Gargantua. Though this sounds strange and unbelievable, Rabelais supports his statement with following argument:

Is this a violation of our law or our faith? Is it against reason or against Holy Scripture? For my part I find nothing...