Rabelais.

[MANICHAEAN]

Is the enjoyment of Rabelais limited?

If not easy reading to everyone, perhaps to those for whom it is least easy, he would be most medicinal?

[hillwalker]

Well I read 'Gargantua & Pantagruel' back in the late 60's when I was a long-haired student, looking for some enlightenment while killing time (on Night Shift in the local steelworks, trying to earn extra cash to supplement my grant).

I can remember being struck more by the bawdy humour and grotesquery than the underlying socio-religious commentary.

I'm not sure a 16th century work has much relevance today except as a template for how to satirise class or as an example of how language can undermine social mores. I guess if a 'modern version' were to be written now it would be labelled obscene.

Although I only read the English translation I believe he invented a multitude of words based on classical languages that ended up in the French language (many of them terms for a variety of bodily functions). Which perhaps proves there's nothing that's not been tried before.....

H

[MANICHAEAN]

Well H if you read "Gargantua & Pantagruel" in the 60's, I'm now reading it in my 60's!

I honestly find Rabelais, bare feet on the earth refreshing. Perhaps it is a question of some are born Rabelaisian and some require to have Rabelais thrust upon them?

He has, that energy in his writing which makes it possible to enjoy living. Other writers interpret things, or warn us. He takes you arm around the shoulder and says take the cup and drink.

And not just the symbol of wine and alcohol. Also food & sex. He comes across as enjoying it, wallows in it even, and then seems to break free and say go to hell.

[hillwalker]

I suppose in the 60's what he represented was seen as part of 'letting one's hair down - and to hell with conventional society' although of course his intentions were as much to criticise as to liberate. He reminded me of Henry Fielding in his joie de vivre but of course Rabelaise is a little more blunt.

But it was a fun read - if only for the strange looks I got in the works canteen!

H