Usually, when humans (or humanoids) are compared to animals in literature, it is to denote a wild, uncivilized trait. This is used interestingly in almost the opposite way here: Gargantua is compared to a cat in agility and light-footedness, a squirrel in climbing and acrobatic ability, and even a rat in wall-scaling. These are all positive, even elegant connotations. Although Gargantua is being compared to animals, it's not to point out savage or uncivilized habits, and as we see him become more educated and accustomed to the 'proper mannered' way of life, we see a shift into the more precise, controlled movement that is highlighted here.

https://wordsliketrees.wordpress.com/2019/10/20/personification-zoomorphism/

This is essentially the author chastising the audience for "judging a book by its cover". He says that many monks are adorned in the proper robes and appear to be monks, but on the inside, do not have the qualities that make a true monk. Anyone can wear a Spanish cape, a sign of bravery and valor, but that doesn't mean they are how they present themselves to be. Rabelais is instructing readers to look deeper into those around them; not everything is as it seems, and not everyone is who they say they are. This ties in with greater themes in the story of Christianity and satirizing the upper class, who often make snap judgements from a high social position while themselves projecting out a false image of who they are and what their values are. Being born into privilege does not make you automatically well-mannered or educated!

https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/etd/r/1501/10?clear=10&p10_accession_num=bgsu1336258300

Charon is the ferryman of the underworld who leads the dead down into Hell. In this line, Dante is telling Charon not to be angry because his and Virgil's presence has been ordained and approved by those who rank higher than Charon. He instructs Charon not to question them anymore, as the issue is over Charon's head in terms of authority. https://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Kharon.html https://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/gate.html

There is debate among scholars regarding the classification of the Divine Comedy because of its history and relation to author Dante Alighieri. It has been argued that Dante's epic poem is the first recorded instance of a self-insert fanfiction. While it may sound ridiculous at first, it may be accurate: Dante literally writes a story of himself among famous historical figures he has never met before, creating a story around the concept of himself being placed in a scenario with authors and characters. https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1515&context=scripps_theses

Of course, Gawain is not wearing a 'thong' in the way we think of thin underwear in modern times. It doesn't refer to 'thong' in the modern Australian sense, either, as in plastic flip-flops- thongs were thin strips of leather used to attach clothing. Here, they set Gawain's leg armor onto his body. Thongs could also be used for tying dresses or securing packages together. https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopedia-of-medieval-dress-and-textiles/thong-COM_639

Here, Medea is literally either cursing Jason or predicting his death, depending on the interpretation. She says that the mast of his ship, the Argo, will be split "in twain" and fall on his head, killing him. According to other myths, this is precisely what happens, and Jason dies after being crushed by the Argo as it decays.

https://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/e-medea.html https://www.pbs.org/mythsandheroes/myths_four_jason.html#:~:text=Jason%20goes%20back%20to%20Iolkos,the%20head%2C%20killing%20him%20outright. https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Heroes/Jason/jason.html

Votaries are people who have made vows of duty and dedication to a religious service, like nuns or monks. Krishna is saying that these people who renounce all of their hard work to Krishna gain peace because they do not become entangled in karma. Their work is done in the spirit of surrendering the fruits to Krishna, so they can achieve peace and restfulness.