Authority of Montaignevs.Rabel

However, according to Montaigne, this knowledge must be specifically be critical knowledge. He uses digestion as an analogy to reflect the worthlessness of book knowledge. According to Montaigne, in comparing the mind to the stomach and food as thoughts, “the stomach has not done its job if, during concoction, it fails to change the substance and the form of what it is given” (43). What we know as book knowledge is thus completely irrelevant for it fails to look at the greater picture. The critical eye is necessary in evaluating different situations (historical, scientific, etc.) in order to optimize the use of the knowledge. Rabelais, accordingly, has a similar take on the importance of acquiring knowledge. Panurge, after all, is made to be more of a satirical character than anything else because of his indolence and his disregard for the learning process. Until his visit to Herr Trippa, what Pantagruel criticizes most about Panurge’s character is that he simply takes an authority’s advice in the most literal manner, which causes him to get discouraged in his prospects for marriage. Another theme that is recurrent throughout Montaigne’s work with regards to acquiring knowledge is the idea that knowledge is something that it is a gradual process and not something that simply happens overnight. In fact, he criticizes those who believe that they have the absolute truth rather quickly, asserting that “only fools have made up their minds and are certain” (Montaigne 44). Pantagruel’s patience with Panurge all throughout Book 3 is most exemplary of the importance of understanding that learning who you are and gaining the sense of what is right and wrong through truth and reason is very gradual.

high priority in daily activity, the theme of “knowing yourself” as the ultimate requisite before becoming an authority yourself, and finally, guidelines that reflect the danger of blind acceptance of authority in critical decisions, indeed run parallel throughout Rabelais’ and Montaigne’s thought. This is so because they both make an attempt to de-emphasize the role that authority has played in Europe in the sixteenth century.

On the other hand, Panurge is not an expert at using reason in order to make judgments. This can be reflected through his belief that dice can predict the future. Also, although seeking the advice of the Sibyl of Panzoult was Pantagruel’s idea, he still tells Panurge to wait to make any decisions to “consider all the evidence” (285). This is to prevent Panurge for believing that because the Sibyl is indeed a witch (although there is no proof of this) for believing anything and everything that Sibyl says to be true. This, again, will also given Panurge a chance to consider reason before making a decision based on the authority’s opinion. Montaigne shares his thoughts about accepting advice from authorities through use of reason by noting that it is necessary for men to “sound out the capacity for each person…he

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