Which literary work satirized the abuses of the Church during the Renaissance?

The literary work that satirized the abuses of the Church during the Renaissance is "The Praise of Folly" by Erasmus. This text, published in 1509, uses humor and irony to critique the corruption and excesses within the Church and society at large. Erasmus personifies Folly, allowing her to deliver a series of witty critiques that expose the hypocrisy of various social classes, including the clergy. The work was influential in the context of the Reformation, as it helped to highlight the need for reform and encouraged a more introspective and critical approach to faith and religious practices.

Don Quixote is primarily a narrative about chivalry and adventure rather than a critique of ecclesiastical practices. The Divine Comedy, while exploring themes of morality and the afterlife, was written earlier in the 14th century and is more of a theological and philosophical exploration than a satire of contemporary Church abuses. Paradise Lost, though a significant work, deals with the themes of free will and theology rather than directly addressing the sociopolitical issues of the Renaissance Church.