The Praise of Folly does not take place in any particular or specific location in the real world. Rather, it takes place in an abstract public setting, wherein Folly presents a eulogy dedicated to herself to a crowd of amused onlookers. There is something theatrical about this setting, as Folly takes center stage and enjoys the attention of her audience, which seems to regard her as an entertaining clown or fool.
Though the goddess Folly is drawn from Ancient Greek and Roman sources, and she references many figures from classical myth and history (such as the gods of the classical pantheon), her speech primarily addresses social, political, and religious questions relevant to readers in Erasmus’s own time, the 16th-century Renaissance. The Catholic context of Erasmus's work is particularly important. The Catholic Church was the subject of a good deal of criticism during the early 16th century, both by those who broke with the Church, such as Protestant reformer Martin Luther, as well as those who continued to identify as Catholic.
Critics of the Church generally took issue with what they perceived as the clergy's worldliness, decadence, and detachment from the spiritual needs of the people. Erasmus, though not a Protestant himself, was a sharp critic of these issues within the Church. In this essay, he aimed his satirical critique at what he considered to be the moral and intellectual shortcomings of the clergy. The character of Folly cleverly exposes the foolishness of those who prioritize earthly pursuits over spiritual values. It is important to note, however, that Erasmus did not advocate for a radical break from the Catholic Church like the Protestant Reformers did. Instead, he sought a reform from within, promoting a return to what he considered to be the core principles of Christianity.
