Desultory means to be "marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose, or otherwise not connected with the main subject". A desultory person may jump from one thing to another (Desultory Definition & Meaning). Rabelais describes the horses as desultory as Gargantua shows off his talent for jumping between these horses. Rabelais describes Gargantua as "singularly skilful" in his jumping from horse to horse. Rabelais is alluding to the obsessive efforts of the "Renaissance Man" during his time (Merritt, "Unquenchable Thirst"). These men who were obsessed with becoming multi-talented ended up missing the importance/depth of individual 'horses', or without "putting foot on the ground" like Gargantua. Gargantua jumping from horse to horse offers a ridiculous way to satirize the "Renaissance Man".

“Desultory Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desultory. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Merritt, Yvonne. “The Unquenchable Thirst to Understand:  Francois Rabelais’ Satire of Medieval and Renaissance Learning in Gargantua and Pantagruel.” Ampersand the Science of Art. The Art of Science., itech.fgcu.edu/&/issues/vol2/issue2/rabelais.htm. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

"Swearing by her fig" is an interesting saying, one of many Rabelais uses to add comedy to the story. When looking up this saying, not much will come up except mention of Allah swearing on a fig. In that context, Allah is swearing on sacred lands such as the one Noah (from Noah's Ark) landed on, which had abundant figs ("Tafsir Surah At-Tin"). It's possible that Rabelais would be familiar with saying through his ties of religion. Afterall, he does make several remarks of people doing good Christian things in an unbelievable setting for comedy. However, another way "swearing by her fig" could be interpreted is as a sexual innuendo, which was a common practice throughout the time period and in his writing. Rabelais adds constant sexual metaphors with food, such as "rubbing bacon" on page 56. A fig could hint at female private parts or penetration ("Fruits and Vegetables Sexual Metaphors"). In other words, the governess was swearing on her genitals. This is absolutely ridiculous--just Rabelais' style, so it may fit more than the possible religious allusion. Moreover, the governesses are later sexualized and give the "swearing by her fig" a more fickle, foreshadowing meaning. Rabelais' crude comments are shocking to readers and keep the audience entertained and engaged. His writing, while making jabs at religious institutions and politics, is not meant to be taken too seriously. However, it's worth thinking about why bodily humor is used so often by him. During his time, the rise of humanism pushed forward thoughts about the human body, along with curiosity towards the world and science in general. This bodily humor would explore such ideas and prove even more fantastical during this era.

“Fruits and Vegetables as Sexual Metaphor in Late Renaissance Rome.” Gastronomica, 5 May 2017, gastronomica.org/2005/11/08/fruits-vegetables-sexual- metaphor-late-renaissance-rome/.

“Tafsir Surah At-Tin - 1.” Quran.Com, quran.com/95:1/tafsirs/en-tafsir-maarif-ul-quran. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

In Dante's version of Lucifer, he has three heads. The middle one is red, the right is yellowish, and the left is black (or possibly dark blue). These three heads are the antithesis of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost), which fits him as a "contradiction to God's will."

“Inferno: Canto 34 Summary & Analysis.” LitCharts, www.litcharts.com/lit/inferno/canto-34. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Colada and Tizon (It's called Tizon here but other sources call it Tizona) are the two legendary swords yielded by Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, and both were won through battle. These swords are similar to the legendary blade Excalibur. Colada may refer to acero colado or "cast steel" and Tizon might mean "firebrand" or simply "sword". There are many legends about both of these swords: Colada is said to strike down a Spanish prince, slicing through his armor like butter. Tizon is more fantastical, said to only be powerful in the hands of the worthy, causing the opponent to surrender as soon as it was unsheathed. Tizon was also said to defend El Cid's body even after death.

What makes these weapons so fascinating is that a real person owned them, and they really existed (there is controversy on whether they still exist today). https://allthathistory.com/artifacts-treasures/colada-tizona/1470/

Krishna tells of karm yog (practicing spirituality through dharma) and karm sanyas (practicing spirituality in a meditative, renounced state). Arjuna argues that this is difficult for people to do because they are always rash and acting fast. Krishna then goes on to say karm yog is more practical and can be done by completing duties with devotion. This act leads to spiritual realization by focusing on God. Krishna urges Arjuna to progress on the spiritual path in moderation, and then uniting with God will become easier over time.

Mukundananda, Swami. “Chapter 6 – Bhagavad Gita, the Song of God – Swami Mukundananda.” Bhagavad Gita - the Song of God, by Swami Mukundananda, www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/6.

Krishna tells Arjuna about divided and undivided beings, as well as divine and the undivine. Krishna says that everything is Him, and that people are not truly divided from Him, except the ignorant may believe so. Similarly, people have the power to follow their dharma and the divine (Him) or be undivine and not follow dharma, which would be a sin. Krishna goes on to explain how dharma must not only be done, but it must be done for Him and not for rewards or outcomes. He separates those who do not follow dharma at all, or for the wrong reasons (the ignorant, prideful, etc.) into reincarnated forms with other evil people. To put it another way, evil people are reborn around other evil people as a punishment for their past lives' mistakes, such as not fulfilling their dharma for the sake of Him. The "two stamps" are the two paths that people can follow, and Krishna is urging Arjuna to follow the Divine path (following dharma) by explaining the benefits of Divinity and the consequences of the undivine.

Mukundananda, Swami. “Chapter 16 – Bhagavad Gita, the Song of God – Swami Mukundananda.” Bhagavad Gita - the Song of God, by Swami Mukundananda, www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/16.