The printing press

• Petrarch and Erasmus had very similar content and ideas in their writing
• Petrarch lived in the 14th century while Erasmus lived in the 16th century
• Erasmus had a much bigger reach and influence than Petrarch
• Printing press


  A new invention in the 1400s that allowed for mass production of books and the rapid spread of ideas
• Printing press


  • Used movable type to allow for mass production of books
  • Enabled the proliferation of books and ideas in the 1450-1648 period
• Johannes Gutenberg


  Metalsmith who created the printing press with movable type
• How the printing press works

  1. Create wooden plates with slots

  2. Slide in individual metal letters

  3. Blot with ink

  4. Press onto paper
• Prior to the printing press, books were copied by hand and were incredibly expensive, only accessible to the elite</b>
• The printing press, combined with paper making technology and growing literacy, led to a huge demand for printed books
• The first major work printed on Gutenberg's press was the Gutenberg Bible in 1456
• Within 50 years of the Gutenberg Bible, there were 10-20 million books published in Europe due to the printing press
• Effects of the printing press

  • Ideas spread rapidly
  • Increased access to classical literature
  • Increased literacy
  • Increased demand for vernacular literature
• The printing press allowed for the rapid spread of Renaissance ideas throughout Europe
• Comparison


  Erasmus had a much bigger reach and influence than Petrarch due to a variety of factors, including the timing and scope of their work. Erasmus' ideas and writings were more widely disseminated and had a greater impact on European culture and thought. Petrarch's influence was more limited to Italy and the early stages of the Renaissance.
• Petrarch


  Italian scholar, poet, and founding figure of the Renaissance. Known for his poetry, particularly his sonnets and canzoni. Often considered the father of Renaissance humanism. Explored themes of love, beauty, and the human experience in his work. Had a significant impact on Italian literature and culture.
• Erasmus


  European scholar and Catholic theologian who contributed to the humanist movement during the Renaissance. Known for works such as "In Praise of Folly" and "The Colloquies". Advocated for a more tolerant and less dogmatic approach to religion. Had a significant impact on Western thought and culture.
• Petrarch


  Italian scholar and poet, father of Italian humanism, known for his collection of sonnets "Il Canzoniere," and critical of the Catholic Church.
• Erasmus


  Dutch scholar, Catholic priest, and theologian, father of the Northern Renaissance, known for his book "The Praise of Folly," and advocated for reform of the Catholic Church.
• Renaissance


  A period spanning the 14th to the 17th century that marked a shift from medieval to modern thought, emphasized the value of human beings and their capacities for achievement.
• Humanism


  A cultural and intellectual movement that emphasized the value of human beings and their capacities for achievement, and advocated for the study of the humanities.
• "The Praise of Folly"


  A satirical book by Erasmus that criticized the excesses and foolishness of the Catholic Church.
• Il Canzoniere


  A collection of sonnets by Petrarch that explored themes of love, beauty, and the human condition.
• Italian humanism


  A cultural and intellectual movement in Italy that emphasized the value of human beings and their capacities for achievement, and advocated for the study of the humanities.
• Northern Renaissance


  A cultural and intellectual movement in Northern Europe that emphasized the value of human beings and their capacities for achievement, and advocated for the study of the humanities.
• Erasmus


  European scholar and Catholic theologian who had a significant impact on the humanist movement during the Renaissance. Known for works such as "In Praise of Folly" and "The Colloquies", and for advocating for a more tolerant and less dogmatic approach to religion.
• Petrarch


  Italian scholar, poet, and founding figure of the Renaissance. Known for his poetry, particularly his sonnets and canzoni, and for exploring themes of love, beauty, and the human experience in his work.
• Comparison


  Erasmus had a much bigger reach and influence than Petrarch due to a variety of factors, including the timing and scope of their work, writing style, travel and correspondence, and critique of the Church.
• Timing


  Erasmus lived and worked during the height of the Renaissance, a time of great cultural and intellectual ferment in Europe, which allowed him to build on the foundations laid by earlier humanists like Petrarch and reach a wider audience.
• Scope of work


  Erasmus' work was more wide-ranging than Petrarch's, encompassing theology, philosophy, education, and social criticism, which allowed him to appeal to a broader audience and have a greater impact on European culture and thought.
• Writing style


  Erasmus' writing style was clear, accessible, and engaging, making his ideas and arguments more appealing to a wider audience. He wrote in Latin, the common language of European scholars, which allowed his works to be widely read and discussed.
• Travel and correspondence


  Erasmus was a prolific traveler and correspondent, exchanging letters with scholars, politicians, and religious leaders across Europe. This allowed him to build a vast network of contacts and influence and to disseminate his ideas more widely.
• Critique of the Church

  Erasmus was a vocal critic of the corruption and dogmatism of the Catholic Church, which resonated with many people who were disillusioned with the institution. His critiques helped to spur the Protestant Reformation and had a profound impact on European religious and political history.
• Johannes Gutenberg


  A historical figure from the 15th century, born in Germany, who revolutionized the way information was produced and distributed with his invention of the printing press with movable type.
• Metalsmith


  Gutenberg's original profession, which involved working with metals to create objects.
• Printing press with movable type

  Gutenberg's most famous invention, which allowed for individual letters to be arranged in any order, making it possible to print multiple pages quickly and efficiently.
• Movable type


  The individual letters used in Gutenberg's printing press, which could be moved around to create different words and sentences.
• Revolutionized


  The profound impact Gutenberg's printing press had on society, making it easier and cheaper to produce books and other printed materials, leading to a surge in literacy rates and the spread of knowledge.