The Renaissance

General Characteristics Rebirth of Greco-Roman ideals Architecture & Art Continues literary revival of Greek & Roman classics Individualism Strong Christian/religious overtone Greater secularism New scientific values Age of Recovery Elite movement

Transition Period Decentralized feudalism to political centralization Agricultural economy to commercial economy Church dominated to secular control of thought & culture

Italian Renaissance Begins in Italy– spreads northward Italy– not unified– divided into city-states Despots in Milan & Venice Florence De Medicis Cosimo de Medici Lorenzo the Magnificent Merchant class but still despots Patrons of the arts

Humanism Studied original Latin & Greek texts Liberal arts program Dignity of humankind– virtuous action– virtu Humanities– what makes us human

Francesco Petrarch Father of Humanism Letters to the Ancient Dead Love sonnets Attacked scholasticism– secular & Christian values do not always coexist peacefully Wrote in Italian-- vernacular

Giovanni Boccaccio Decameron Tales about the plague in Florence Social commentary on sexual & economic misconduct

Plague

Lorenzo Valla Exposed errors in Latin Vulgate Exposed the Donation of Constantine Original texts Anachronistic language Exposed errors in Latin Vulgate

Education Studied Greek & Roman classics Revival of physical activity Rhetoric & grammar Value of learning Focus on Plato Well-rounded– focus on liberal arts Embraced humanism agenda

Renaissance Literature Baldassare Castiglione Book of the Courtier Well-rounded man; Renaissance man Christine de Pisan Lyric poetry The City of the Ladies Niccolo Machiavelli The Prince Strong ruler to unite Italy Handbook for keeping power

Renaissance Art Rise of secularism although religion was still important Focuses on the individual & emotions No longer about the afterlife Perspective Chiaroscuro Idealistic but natural

Italian Politics Not united-- loyal to city-state Savonarola rules Florence Protects from French invasion by Charles VIII Executed in 1498 for antipapal policies and ridiculous morality Pope Julius II Pushed out the French Granted Concordat of Bologna in 1516

Italy-- Economics Dominated commerce until 15th century Banking Medici family Slave labor Merchants– middle class

Italian Society Marriage: Arranged Move up or down in society Children Wet nurses Large families 50% mortality rate before age 20

The Northern Renaissance

Characteristics Created favorable climate for Reformation Influenced by Italian Renaissance Religion played a more influential role Wrote for lay audiences & the educated Writers– more diverse backgrounds

Christian Humanism AKA Northern Humanism Original texts but emphasized religious texts & religious questions Focused on sources of early Christianity, the Scriptures, & writings of Augustine Emphasized a simple religion that had been distorted by the Church’s theologians Use Christian sources to progress & improve– to reform the Church & its laity. Emphasis on education to reform humankind

Erasmus Most famous Christian humanist Colloquies– dialogues to satirize religious behavior Adages– published proverbs Reform individuals by studying the classics & the Bible– power of education Greek edition of New Testament Praise of Folly– also a satire Handbook of a Christian Knight– Christianity should guide people– not the Church Placed on Index of Prohibited Books

Sir Thomas More Utopia (1516)– idealistic life based on Christian principles New social system– cooperation replaces power & fame No private property– communal ownership Religiously devoted to the Church Clash w/ Henry VIII-- executed

Printing Press 1450s, Johann Gutenberg invented printing w/ movable type Printing– profitable new trade & profession Tool for propaganda Challenges to political authority Mass production of indulgences Literacy increases

Compare & contrast the two types of humanism & the two Renaissances

The New Monarchies

Characteristics Uniform law & order Legitimate source of authority Army Taxation Makes & enforces law Desire for absolute control– no division of power w/ church

England Tudor dynasty– Henry VII Prohibited livery & maintenance Wars of the Roses Lancasters vs. York Lancasters win Prohibited livery & maintenance Star Chamber– royal court Limited by Parliament

France Louis XI– Valois line Power over taxation Power over clergy Pragmatic Sanction– Church controlled its affairs Concordat of Bologna– Pope has annates King appoints bishops & clergy

Spain Ferdinand & Isabella Reconquista– built a national feeling based on Christianity Expulsion of Jews & Moors Spanish Inquisition Conquest of Granada-- 1492

Holy Roman Empire Princely states, priestly states, & free cities Emperor elected– actually weakened his power Habsburg family dominated emperorship Gained control over large tracts of Europe Universal monarchy Other nations feared absorption into this empire