In The Praise of Folly (1511) and other writings, Erasmus of Rotterdam used his humanistic training to mock many aspects of Catholic practice. Which did he openly criticize?
Thomas More’s Utopia described an ideal society; indirectly, then, it represented a stinging attack on the way things worked in 16th-Century England. Where did he set his tale, in the hopes of disguising his critique somewhat?
Why didn’t Catholic authorities in the 1520s manage to suppress Luther’s teachings in time to stop the emergence of a parallel religious society in Europe?
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To find the answer to the first question about Erasmus' criticisms of Catholic practice, you would need to study Erasmus of Rotterdam's writings, particularly "The Praise of Folly" and other relevant works. These writings provide a critique of various aspects of Catholic practice. You can start by reading these works and analyzing the sections where Erasmus openly criticizes Catholic practices to get a comprehensive understanding of his viewpoints.
For the second question regarding Thomas More's "Utopia," More set his tale on an imaginary island called "Utopia." By using this fictional setting, More hoped to disguise his critique of 16th-Century England to avoid potential backlash or retribution. To learn more about More's intentions in setting his tale in Utopia, you can study his work, "Utopia," and explore the historical context in which it was written.
Regarding the third question about the failure of Catholic authorities to suppress Luther's teachings, you would need to delve into the historical events of the 1520s in Europe and the spread of Lutheranism. Catholic authorities faced challenges in suppressing Luther's teachings due to several factors. Luther's ideas gained popularity among various segments of society, including the growing middle class and regional rulers who saw Lutheranism as an opportunity for political and religious autonomy. Additionally, the printing press facilitated the rapid dissemination of Luther's writings, making it difficult for authorities to control the spread of his ideas. To understand the specific reasons for the emergence of a parallel religious society in Europe, you would need to study the events surrounding Luther's teachings, the support he received, and the measures taken by Catholic authorities to suppress his ideas during this time period.
In summary, to answer these questions, you would need to study the primary sources of Erasmus, More, and the historical events surrounding Luther's teachings to gain a comprehensive understanding of their criticisms and the circumstances surrounding their works.