At first glance, the novel by Francois Rabelais "Gargantua and Pantagruel" seems a simple, funny, comic and at the same time fantastic work. But in fact, it contains a deep meaning, reflecting the views of the humanists of that time.
These are the problems of pedagogy on the example of Gargantua's training, and political problems on the example of relations between the two states. The author did not bypass the social and religious issues that were relevant for that era.
Gargantua and Pantagruel: Summary of Book I
The author introduces the reader to the parents of the protagonist and tells the story of his birth. After his father, Granguzier married Gargamella, she carried the baby in the womb for as long as 11 months and gave birth to him through her left ear. The baby’s first word was “To care!” The name was given to him by the enthusiastic cry of his father: “Ke gran tu ah!”, Which means “Well, you have a healthy one (pharynx)!” The following is a story about Gargantua's home schooling, about continuing his education in Paris, about his battle with King Picrohol and returning home.
Gargantua and Pantagruel: Summary of Book II
In this part of the work, we are talking about the marriage of the main character to Badbek, the daughter of the king of Utopia. When Gargantua was 24 years old, they had a son - Pantagruel. He was so huge that his mother died during childbirth. In due time, Gargantua also sent his son to get an education in Paris. There Pantagruel made friends with Panurg. And after successfully resolving the dispute between Peyvino and Lizhizad, he was known as a great scientist. Pantagruel soon learned that Gargantua went to the country of fairies. Having received news of the attack of the Dipsods on Utopia, he immediately went home. Together with his friends, he quickly defeated the enemies, and then also conquered the capital of the Amurites.
Gargantua and Pantagruel: Summary of Book III
Dipsodia is completely subdued. To revive the country, Pantagruel settled in it part of the inhabitants of Utopia. Panurg decided to marry. They turn to various fortunetellers, prophets, theologians, and judges. But they cannot help, since Pantagruel and Panurg understand all their advice and predictions in completely different ways. In the end, the buffoon invites them to go to the Oracle of the Divine Bottle.
Gargantua and Pantagruel: Summary of Book IV
Prepared ships soon went to sea. On their way Pantagruel and Panurg visit several islands (Macreon, Papefigov, Thieves and robbers, Ruach, Papomanov and others). There are a lot of fantastic stories happening to them.
Gargantua and Pantagruel: Summary of Book V
Next in line was Zvonky Island. But travelers were able to visit it only after observing the four-day post. Then there were the islands of Plutney, Ironworks. On the island of Prison, Pantagruel and Panurg barely escaped from the clutches of the monsters of the Fluffy Cats that lived in it, living only bribes, received in immense quantities. The penultimate stop of the travelers was the Mateotechnics harbor, where Queen Quintessence ate only abstract categories. And finally, friends landed on the island where the oracle of the Bottle lived. After a warm welcome, Princess Bakbook took Panurg to the chapel. There, in the fountain, lay a Bottle half immersed in water. Panurg sang a song by winegrowers. The book immediately threw something at the fountain, as a result of which the word "trink" was heard in the Bottle. The princess pulled out a silver-framed book, which actually turned out to be a bottle of wine. Bakbuk ordered Panurga to drain it immediately, since “trink” means “Drink!” Finally, the princess handed Pantagruel a letter for her father and sent her friends home.