Renaissance

• The Renaissance was characterized by the revival of classical learning, humanism, individualism, secularism, and scientific advancements.
• Renaissance Literature reflected the time and used techniques still used today, with the sonnet becoming popular during this period
• Individualism


  • Emphasized the importance of personality and uniqueness of an individual, leading to the concept of a "Renaissance Man"
• Renaissance

  A French word for "rebirth" referring to the revival of learning and art
• The Renaissance began in the northern part of Italy, particularly in Florence, which had grown prosperous from the revival of trade in the Middle Ages
• The Renaissance led to innovative styles of art and literature, new values, and the importance of human life and accomplishments
• A new spirit of optimism, confidence, and creativity emerged in the 14th century, leading to the Renaissance in Europe
• The spirit of Renaissance society was secular, concerned with the present rather than spiritual matters
• Humanism


  • An intellectual movement focusing on human potential and achievements, studying the humanities, and popularizing classical subjects
• The educated people of Italy in the Renaissance wanted to bring back the classical culture of Greece and Rome
• European rulers gained new authority, and the authority and power of the church started to be questioned along with a series of wars, epidemics, and economic upheaval that ended the Middle Ages


  Late in the Middle Ages
• The Medici family, ruling Florence for more than 60 years, were famous backers of the Renaissance movement
• Francesco Petrarch, an influential humanist, was known as the Father of Renaissance
• Church leaders and wealthy individuals supported the arts by funding artists and donating artwork to cities
• Desiderius Erasmus


  Famous for the Praise of Folly, poked fun at various societal figures, believed in a Christianity of the heart, advocated for studying the Bible to improve society
• Francesco Petrarch


  One of the earliest and influential humanists, known as the Father of Renaissance, wrote in Italian and Latin, authored sonnets dedicated to a woman, Laura, who died of the plague
• The Renaissance was a time of artistic and social change, halting medieval ideals centered on the Catholic Church, leading to the rise of democratic thoughts
• Thomas More


  Authored Utopia, depicting an ideal place where greed, corruption, and war have been eliminated, Utopians had little use for money
• Sonnet


  A 14-line poem typically written in iambic pentameter
• Changes in the Arts during the Renaissance

  • Art depicted on methods and styles of classical Greece and Rome
  • Paintings and sculptures showed individuals and nature realistically
  • Artists produced works both worldly and religious
  • Writers began using native languages
  • The arts celebrated individual achievement
• Giovanni Boccaccio


  Authored the Decameron, a series of realistic, off-color stories, conveyed by a group of worldly young waiting in a rural villa to avoid the plague sweeping through Florence
• Changes in Society during the Renaissance

  • Printing made more information accessible and cheap
  • Greater availability of books inspired learning and literacy
  • Published accounts of new discoveries led to more findings
  • Published legal proceedings made laws well-defined
  • Christian humanists' efforts to reform society changed views on life
  • People started questioning political structures and religion, influencing European thought
• Niccolo Machiavelli


  Authored The Prince, examining the imperfect conduct of human beings, suggesting that for a prince to accomplish great things, he must be crafty enough to overcome suspicions and gain the trust of others
• William Shakespeare


  Known for masterful command of the English language, deep understanding of human beings, regarded as the greatest playwright of all time, famous works include Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, and Romeo and Juliet
• Sonnet became immensely popular during the Renaissance period, particularly in Italy and later in England