As a companion volume to Pantagruel, Gargantua continues Rabelais' acclaimed fantasy of a mythical family of giants. Originally published in 1554, and first published in English in 1693-4, the purpose of Rabelais's four books in his masterpiece was to entertain the reader at the expense of the follies and exaggerations of his times. Posters of these exuberant stories have been repeatedly produced in support of carnivals and fairs due to their depictions of the wierd and wonderful. Panurge is the idiotic and self-loving companion and divine guide of Gargantuan's son.
