Published in 1494 in Basel, The Ship of Fools was soon translated into
every major European language. It provoked a vast number of imitations
and remained steadily in print through the eighteenth century (with
sporadic reprints after that). It still possesses an enormous vigor and
vitality.
The book owes its long life to an imagination, wit, and humor rich with
insights into human nature, yet neither bitter nor namby pamby. Its
commentary on the boasting, pedantry, false learning, gambling,
gluttony, medical folly, adultery, greed, envy, hatred, pride and other
failings that mark humanity are sharp and telling, and, sadly, as
relevant today as they were 450 years ago.
This translation by Professor Edwin H. Zeydel is the only accurate
English translation ever published. (Barclay's version is really a
pastiche written in imitation of Brant.) The form Professor Zeydel uses
is verse, like the original, and he even retains the original rhyme
scheme and meter. The achievement is remarkable, for it captures all the
charm and movement of the original German while sacrificing nothing to
readability and fluidity.
Published now with the 114 original Renaissance woodcuts and with
Professor Zeydel's annotations, a biography of Brant, a publishing
history, and a survey of the work's influence, this will unquestionably
remain the definitive edition of The Ship of Fools in English. The
illustrations are part of Dover's Pictorial Archive Series and may be
used by commercial artists free of charge.
