ORIGIN OF THE RENAISSANCE

HH World Studies

LATE MEDIEVAL REVIVAL

Clergy began to study church history to defend Church against power of kings

Rediscovered Classical authors like Aristotle

MEDIEVAL SCHOLARS

Scholars argued that both REASON and FAITH are necessary to understand truth.

Scholasticism: approach that tried to demonstrate the truth of Christian teachings through the use of logic and reason.

MEDIEVAL EDUCATIONUniversities hired educated clergy to teach a Liberal Arts Curriculum Latin (grammar and

rhetoric) Geometry Arithmetic Astronomy Music

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCEIt was the revival of ancient learning, which took place in Italy during the 14th and 15th century, that allowed new secular and scientific values to replace traditional religious beliefs. The Renaissance was the transition from the medieval to the modern world.

THE COMMERCIAL REVOLUTION

The loss of population in the 1300s due to war, famine and disease actually stimulated Europe’s economic recovery.

COMMERCIAL REVOLUTION

New Farming Techniques produced more crops

Raised Standard of Living

Increased Specialization and trade

NEW BUSINESS PRACTICES

Idea of capital Banks established by Italian

merchants Joint Stock Companies,

reduce the risk of investment

REDISCOVERY OF THE PAST

Why Italy? Geographic location Wealthy through

trade Cultural ties to

ancient Rome Competition

between rival city states promoted arts and education

FIVE THEMESRenaissance

INDIVIDUALISMSECULARISM /

ANTICLERICALISMREALISM

CLASSICALISMHUMANISM

HUMANISM

Humanism involved a new view of human nature and of human beings and their relationship with the world around them.

Ex. Petrarch, Erasmus, Dante, Mirandola, etc.

FORMS OF HUMANISMHumanism: emphasized the importance of human beings and worldly subjects

Ex: Petrarch

Civic Humanism: man could better himself and his city through education and individual achievement

Ex: Machiavelli

Christian Humanism: applied humanist principles to religious topics

Ex: Erasmus, popular in Northern Europe

SECULARISM / ANTI-CLERICALISM Secular = non-religious It’s not that people weren’t religious. They tried to

harmonize Christian faith with ancient learning. Rejected intellectual monopoly by clergy

CLASSICALISM Latin was the language of learning Promote Classical Values (in life,

literature, and art) Classical texts translated into

many languages

INDIVIDUALISM Focus on the self / man How to improve the individual? Role of Individual in Society? Artistic emphasis on portraiture

and the human form

REALISM Art became less symbolic Artists tried to capture the

truth of what they saw; Realistic study of human nature

Use of perspective in art

QUOTE #1

“What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god.”

- William Shakespeare

QUOTE #2

“ My principle is that, as concerning the glory from which we may hope for here below (on earth) it is right for us to seek it while we are here below. One may expect to enjoy that other more radiant glory in Heaven, when we shall have there arrived, and when one will have no more care or wish for the glory of earth. Therefore, as I think it is in the true order that mortal men should first care for mortal things…”

- Petrarch’s Secret by Francisco Petrarch

QUOTE #3

“The world is waking out of long deep sleep. The old ignorance is still defended. Time was when learning was only found in the religious orders. The religious orders nowadays care only for money and sensuality (indulgence of the appetite) while learning has passed to secular princes and peers and courtiers. Where in school or monastery will you find some many distinguished and accomplished men as form your English Court? Shame on us all! The tables of priests and divines run with wine and echo with drunken noise and scurrilous jest, while in prince’s halls is heard only grace and modest conversation on points of morals or knowledge…”

- Life and Letters of Erasmus