The Culture of Renaissance Europe

Objective Identify some of the major cultural developments of the Renaissance

Map of Europe in 1494

Detailed Map of Italy at the time of the Renaissance

God vs the Human spirit During the medieval period, humans looked to God to answer all of life’s important questions Humanism: The actions and ideas of individuals Focus becomes more on what humans can do or what makes them happy

Literature: The Voice of the Renaissance Two major themes: Criticizing the Church Desiderius Erasmus- Praise of Folly Ideas to better society Thomas More-Utopia

Theatre William Shakespeare (late 1500’s) Romeo and Juliet Midsummer Night’s Dream Merchant of Venice Ordinary people to royalty came to watch his work

Scientific Revolution Scientific Method- using observations and experiments to prove ideas Nicholas Copernicus (1500’s) Polish astronomer who used math to show that the earth revolved around the sun Against Church teachings…earth was the center of the universe with sun revolving Copernicus waited until his death to have his ideas published

Galileo An Italian scientist in the 1600’s who created a better telescope to study the stars Confirmed Copernicus’ idea of earth revolving around the sun (heliocentric theory) Galileo arrested and put on trial…he recanted his ideas “And yet it does move”

The Printing Press Prior to 1450, all writings were copied by hand, wood blocks In 1450, Johannes Gutenburg invented the printing press making it easier to copy things moveable type-small metal pieces, each with a single raised number or letter of the alphabet

The Effect of the Printing Press Books made quicker and cheaper Books became affordable to all people Ideas spread faster and further Martin Luther’s Reformation Humanism

Questions If books become affordable to all individuals… Define humanism. How does this term relate to you.