The Renaissance in Italy and Humanism

I. What was the Renaissance? A.Rebirth (or “rediscovery” of what?) These writings and ideas seemed to offer meanings which were applied to every aspect of life:

B. What is “humanism” according to Renaissance scholars?

C. Jacob Burkhardt: A Swiss historian who wrote in 1860, “Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy”. His Main Points:

D. Historians’ criticisms of Burkhardt Ignores the continuity between a. b.

E. Most scholars agree, however, the Renaissance was a time of transition from the medieval to the modern world. WHY?

What made it possible for the Renaissance to begin in Italian city-states? II. Why Italy? A.Central__________________________. 1. Key Italian city-states: 2. Each 3. Had NOT a lot of _____but a lot of____. a. b.

B. Money (revenue that flowed into the city from ______) a. b. c. d. e. f.

C. Proximity to…? 1. a. b.

D. Patron Support…of what? (What is a “patron”?) 1.The patrons = 2.They supported =

III. Political Life in the City-States A.Independent because they were not dominated by B.MOST had evolved into _______by the 15 th c 1. This term means 2. WHY did this occur? C. The de Medici Family & Florence

D. Signoria 1.The council of men who governed Florence 2.These men were chosen from 3.Cosimo de Medici was able to keep those loyal to him on the ____________.

The de Medici…continued Piero de Medici Lorenzo de Medici Giovanni de Medici Podesta

E.Class Conflict in Florence (4 distinguishable groups)

Film Clip of the de Medici Family of Florence

IV. Humanism Definition: The scholarly study of __________________ and __________________________ both: for __________________and in the hope of

A. Historical Interpretations of Humanism This is KEY:

B. Humanists promoted a “liberal arts” program What is a liberal arts program? 1.Humanism fostered new attitudes and ideas that are distinctly “modern”, most importantly new attitudes and ideas about the _______________________. *

2. Francisco Petrarch ( ) a)the “Father of Humanism” b)Few Italians of the time appreciated c)Then came Petrarch (his story…in brief)

3.Pico della Mirandola (b d.1494) Died far too young  a). Wrote Oration on the Dignity of Man, which was remarkably original for its time. b)As a philosopher, he stressed: 1) learning and ___________ 2) ONLY human beings could 3) Helped artists

4. Goal of Humanist Studies a)Be… b)Placed heavy emphasis on the study of

5. Castiglione ( ) Wrote: Book of the Courtier What is a “courtier”? a) The perfect courtier according to Castiglione?

6.Giovanni Boccaccio ( ) Wrote: Decameron a) A collection of

7.Lorenza Valla ( ) Wrote: Donation of Constantine a) Through research, he proved “what” to be a forgery?

8. Galen and Vesalius A. Galen (died 216 A.D.): a)Greek physician who lived in the Roman Empire b) Dissected _________ & _____ c)The 4 Humors: B.Vesalius ( ) a)Founder of ________ _________. b)Disproved many of __________ assertions. c)What sets him apart =

Vesalius

V. “Virtu” The word is used to attribute some kind of value to conduct or action. In accordance with Renaissance ideals, “virtu” refers to: striving for excellence and being a virtuous person or... those excelling gifts which God gave to the to the soul of man, greatest and preeminent above all other earthly animals." The man of virtù ( think “virtuoso”), aims at reasoned and examined control of his own thoughts, intentions, and actions and also of his surroundings.

VI. The New Secular Spirit A.Medieval culture emphasized spiritual values and salvation B.Renaissance culture was far more interest in the pleasures of material possession. C. Renaissance families openly enjoyed fine music, expensive foods, and beautiful works of art.

VII. The “isms” of the Renaissance 1.Secularism 2.Humanism 3.Individualism REMEMBER it this way: H I S