Unit 3: The Humanist Approach Social Studies 8 Unit 3: The Humanist Approach

Humanism and Civic Humanism Humanism is the belief that every individual is important and that everyone should develop all of  their skills and talents to share with the world. Civic Humanism goes a step further.  Civic Humanists not only believe that it is a person’s right to learn and grow, but their responsibility; a person should learn all that they can about history and political issues, so that they can improve their society.

Humanism can also be described as…

The Four Humanist Beliefs The Power of Reason (think for yourself!) People Must Have an Open and Curious Mind Achievement Through Learning and Intelligence A Person Should be Well-Rounded (a Renaissance man or woman)

Renaissance, Religion, and Antiquity During the Renaissance there is a shift from religion to reason.  What does this mean? Before humanism, people sought answers about life’s mysteries in religion and their faith, but during the Renaissance they began turning to knowledge, reason, and thinking as well.  They certainly didn’t forget about their faith, but it was no longer the be all and end all – religion had some competition.  Now people could turn to things like science, art, literature, and their own thoughts to find answers for life's mysteries as well as religion.    Where did these ideas originate? In the classic works of antiquity (Ancient Greece and Rome)

Timeline of Events: Antiquity to the Dark ages to the renaissance

The Four Types of Renaissance Art Painting Sculpting Architecture Literature

Painting HUMANS are now the subject of art, for example, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.   Elaborate buildings and landscapes also gain popularity as the subject of art and paintings, and religion begins to take a back seat.  We no longer think of religion as the star of the show – religion absolutely has its place, but what we really want to see is the individual human, each person as they are individually, not as a group!   At this point, artists began signing their names on their work, why do you think that is?

Paintings: Medieval Vs. Renaissance What’s the difference?

Sculpting Sculpting involved work on buildings and statues. It was previously seen as a skilled trade, and sculptors were skilled labourers, but during the Renaissance, they elevated their profession to that of an art form. One of the most notable humanist sculptures is Michelangelo's David. It is a perfect example of Humanism for many reasons.   Firstly, David’s furrowed brow shows that he is contemplative.  He is clearly thinking and concerned - a concept that may not seem revolutionary now, but certainly was at the time.   David also represents a figure from the Bible who was the only person, willing and able, to defeat Goliath - a much larger man, who everyone was scared of.  David eventually defeated goliath using his wits; he killed Goliath by hitting him in the head with a stone and a slingshot. This represents the humanist idea that intelligence can win over strength.  Furthermore, the David represents the idea that a normal man can be a hero.  The David is proportionately an average man, yet he represents a figure who was able to do what no one else could.

Literature: Medieval (Dark Age) vs. Renaissance Medieval literature, when existent (printing press invented in 1453), involved mainly religious concepts and themes.  It was typically printed in Latin, which only the nobility could typically read or understand. Renaissance writing, firstly, was written in the vernacular (the language of the people/area), it focused on never before seen topics such as love, personal opinion, and social commentary/criticism, and  it was often inspired by classical Greek and Roman writing.   How do you think this affected religion?  Would religion gain power or fade into the background? Why do you think the Medieval period was called The Dark Ages. Religion faded into the background.  That is not to say that it wasn’t still important, but Religion now had competition!

Architecture “Solid, useful, and Beautiful”

Other Notable Humanists Desiderius Erasmus was a very religious man, but he was also a scholar.  He famously said, “When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.” He edited a new Greek-Latin version of the New Testament Christine de Pisan: First female humanist writer. She was educated in France at the court of King Charles V and argued that a woman should be judged on her abilities and virtues, and not her gender. Petrarch was the leading poet of his time, and a sort of Renaissance love guru.  He wrote hundreds of love poems to one woman named Laura. Ex: Oh blessed be the day, the month, the year, the season and the time, the hour, the instant, the gracious countryside, the place where I was struck by those two lovely eyes that bound me; and blessed be the first sweet agony I felt when I found myself bound to Love, the bow and all the arrows that have pierced me, the wounds that reach the bottom of my heart.

Review Slide *****REVIEW ALL TERMS***** Humanism is: the belief that every individual is important and everyone should develop their talents and share them with the world. Civic Humanism on the other hand: means using those talents, as well as knowledge of history and political matters to better society. The Four Humanist Beliefs are: The Power of Reason, Have an Open and Curious Mind, Achievement Through Learning and Intelligence, A Person Should be Well-Rounded. During the Renaissance, humanists looked to _____ to find answers to life’s mysteries: reason (knowledge or thinking). Where did humanist inspiration come from: in the classical works of Ancient Greece and Rome During the Renaissance, what became the main subject of art work: humans – specifically, the body in great detail. How do we know that Renaissance artists were proud to be recognized for their accomplishments? They signed their work. What was the most common subject of Medieval writing? Religion. What was new about Renaissance literature (4 things)? Written in the vernacular, about love, questioning of traditional ways, inspired by classical Greek and Roman writers. What was a major result of this shift in literature? Religious leaders began losing power. Define vernacular: language of the common people or area. Define Patron: a person who pays/supports artists in their craft. Define Renaissance man or woman, and list the example given in class ;) - a well-rounded individual – m&ms. Who is Petrarch? the leading Renaissance, humanist poet of his time, who wrote hundreds of love poems to one woman named Laura. Otherwise known as the Renaissance Love Guru  A perfect example of humanist art is ______ by ______. The David by Michelangelo . Who wrote the first Greek-Latin Bible? Desiderius Erasmus, a great humanist scholar and devout Christian. Who said, “Women should be judged on their abilities and virtues, and not their gender”? Christine de Pisan Where was Christine de Pisan educated? The French Court of King Charles V. List 4 types of Renaissance Art: Painting, Sculpting, Architecture, and Literature. Who painted the Mona Lisa? Leonardo Da Vinci. What two types of skilled labourers elevated their status to “artist” during the Renaissance? Architects and Sculptors. *****REVIEW ALL TERMS*****

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