14th Century to 17th Century The Renaissance 14th Century to 17th Century

The Renaissance Renaissance means . . .

The Renaissance Renaissance means . . . Rebirth. Before the Renaissance, people who could read usually read the Bible or other Church related documents. So what exactly was “reborn” during the Renaissance? Interest in what we now call “classical” arts and philosophy. These are the ancient Greek and Roman works that were largely forgotten during the Middle Ages. Interest in science, art, philosophy, and history also increased.

The Renaissance Where did the Renaissance begin? Most scholars believe the Renaissance began in Italy in the late 13th or early 14th century. Italy had a different kind of society that was more conducive to a new way of thinking. They also had more access to the Greek and Roman works that helped spark the Renaissance.

The Renaissance The relationship between the Catholic Church and the scientific community is a good example of the friction that existed between religion and humanism. A scientist named Galileo supported a very controversial theory called “helio-centrism.” What do you think this term means? Helio means . . . ?

The Renaissance The relationship between the Catholic Church and the scientific community is a good example of the friction that existed between religion and humanism. A scientist named Galileo supported a very controversial theory called “helio-centrism.” What do you think this term means? Helio means . . . ? Sun Centrism obviously means . . . ?

The Renaissance The relationship between the Catholic Church and the scientific community is a good example of the friction that existed between religion and humanism. A scientist named Galileo supported a very controversial theory called “helio-centrism.” What do you think this term means? Helio means . . . ? Sun Centrism obviously means . . . ? Center So Heliocentrism is . . . ?

The Renaissance So heliocentrism is the theory that the sun is at the center of the solar system. The Pope did not like this idea and ordered Galileo not to publish it. When Galileo published it anyway he was imprisoned for eight years. People were beginning to accept the validity of the scientific method, even when it yielded results opposing established church doctrine.

The Renaissance What is Humanism? Humanism is a way of looking at life with an emphasis on man’s role in the universe. It places less emphasis God’s role. This does not mean that all or most humanists were atheistic--but it does mean that man was expected to take an active role in working out the path for his own life, instead of just leaving everything to God. According to the Italian humanist and writer Plutarch, the aim of life for a humanist is to attain virtue.

The Renaissance What is Humanism? Humanists asked what key question about life? What is a human being? What is a good life? How do I lead a good life?

The Renaissance--Michelangelo Michelangelo was one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance. From 1508-1512 he worked on a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

The Renaissance--Michelangelo Michelangelo’s painting depicts many scenes from Genesis, the first work of the Bible. Although its subject is Biblical, this painting is, in a sense, humanistic. Why?

The Renaissance--Michelangelo The painting shows many images of human Biblical characters. These humans are just as prominent as the image of God that appears in the painting. In a sense, Michelangelo was symbolically putting man on God’s level.

The Renaissance--Michelangelo Michelangelo’s painting shows man as noble and perfectible, the way many other Renaissance artists also perceived man. This is a stark contrast to the Middle Ages view of mankind as sinfully marred and weak.

The Renaissance--The Printing Press Around 1440, Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press that used movable type. The Latin Bible, in 1455, was the first book printed on Gutenberg’s press. This made printing faster and cheaper than ever before.

The Renaissance--The Printing Press The Democratization of Knowledge For the first time in human history, it become possible for people to learn and share many ideas across national and class boundaries. This process is called the “democratization of knowledge.” No longer was knowledge attainable only by the upper classes. The printing press brought knowledge to vast numbers of people, benefiting from rising literacy rates, and in turn creating a desire for even more people to become literate.

The Elizabethan Period Queen Elizabeth ruled England from 1558-1603 This period was relatively peaceful for England, which allowed the arts time to develop and flourish. The theatre was particularly popular. Two of its most famous playwrights were Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.