Renaissance

• The Renaissance refers to that period in Western history between the 14th and 17th centuries when Europe saw a revival of its interests in the literary and philosophical works of classical thinkers.
• The Renaissance was characterized by a sudden break medieval values (chivalry, religion, and honor)
• The Renaissance started in 1300s in northern Italy.
• The overseas trading allowed the thriving of cities-states were rich merchant families who also dominated politics
• The Renaissance marked a very interesting period as Europe transitioned from the medieval period to the modern period
• While the Renaissance had its roots in Italy, the ideas it spurred gradually spread through northern and Western Europe in the 15th century
• War played a part in the spread of Renaissance ideas as the Hundred Years War between France and England ended in 1453
• People were able to move from rural areas to cities because of work or plague outbreaks
• Feudalism had also started to decline and this afforded people relative freedom to explore different fields of knowledge: arts, science, and philosophy
• Francesco Petrarch was an Italian scholar and a poet notable for his rediscovery of classical Roman literature
• Cicero’s famous text de oratore (or the Orator) helped provide Petrarch with the theoretical blueprint for humanism
• Petrarch sought to unite the philosophical and contemplative side of life with the public function of rhetoric. His purpose was to use persuasive language in expressing ideas that could be influential in certain social and political institutions
• Francesco Petrarch is generally acknowledged as the “father of humanism” and “First modern poet laureate”
• Francesco Petrarch is said to have been the first to call attention to the beauty of classical literature by using classical literary Latin in the works that he had written
• Petrarch was an accomplished poet having written a number of sonnets to her love of his life , Laura
• Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch Humanist, Catholic priest and theologian, teacher, social critic, and scholar
• Desidarius Erasmus was notable for publishing Latin and Greek translations of the Bible
• Desiderius Erasmus devoted his time in studying classical texts and infusing his version of classically inspired moral education with a philosophy focused on Christ, which emphasized personal faith over doctrines
• Erasmus wrote satirical essays that exposed the abuses, corruption, and conceitedness of the Catholic Church. His widely read book is Praise of Folly, published in 1511.
• Erasmus's writings influenced Martin Luther in the development of Protestantism
• Thomas More was an English social philosopher, humanist, lawyer, and statesman.
• Thomas More was notable for his work Utopia (1516)
• Thomas More was a close friend of Erasmus and was incredibly gifted in studying law and Greek, writing translations, and English poetry.
• Thomas More was involved in political affairs, while still being capable of forming his own philosophical opinions and maintaining diplomacy
• Utopia is about a fictional ideal state, an imitation of Plato’s Republic, where he wrote about social issues such as private property, religious authority, public office, among other things.
• Utopia influenced an extensive range of political and philosophical thinkers dating from his time to the modern period.
• Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher, writer, and skilled statesman
• Niccolo's book "The Prince", would challenge and influence the course of political philosophy in his time and centuries to come
• Machiavelli wrote extensively on political thought, short prose, poetry, and even verse.
• Machiavelli’s political experience thrived under the patronage of Piero Soderini
• The Medici family was influential leaders of the largest banks in Europe. They formed strategic alliances through marriage and financed festivals and parties for their supporters.
• Machiavelli was exiled in 1513 when he was suspected of conspiring against the Medici. He was imprisoned and tortured and was force to retire in his farm outside of Florence.
• He wrote The Prince (Il Principe) during his exile in an attempt to win the favor of the Medici. The book was not published until his death in 1527 and not been read by his intended audience.
• The Prince was an endless source of controversies as it defined the kind of relationship the states should maintain over its citizens.
• Machiavelli’s political analyses on the ways of acquiring and keeping political power contradicted Medieval political theory, which emphasized the role of the government and the state in using its political power to maintain justice, law, and order
• Leonardo da Vinci was perhaps the most popular among the three figures of Renaissance art. He was an Italian painter, engineer, architect, sculptor, and draftsman.
• Leonardo's artistic and scientific ingenuity inspired later works, which would be influential in the development of the art scene.
• The most famous of Leonardo's work are the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper
• Leonardo's use of light and shadow to introduce depth and emotion in his works was an example of his artistic judgment that earned him his moniker as the “Renaissance Man”
• Da Vinci is a polymath whose expertise expands to many subjects including mathematics, science, engineering, architecture, literature, astronomy, and even history