European Renaissance

Renaissance Literally means “rebirth” but encompasses more – “artistic creativity, extraordinary zest for life,” “opulence & magnificence, … individual achievement” and restoration of classical scholarship (humanism) Time period overlapped with Middle Ages, beginning with Petrarch in 14th century and ending around the 17th century with the restoration of the monarchy and the new Age of Reason

Renaissance A period of widespread change in scientific discoveries, geographic discoveries, and scholarly methods. Also a time of religious power, with the Inquisition contradicting scientific discovery So much change led to some philosophical uncertainty Strong desire to renew ancient Greek and Roman culture; educated people spoke and wrote Latin

Renaissance Despite prominence of religion and religious controversy, people were preoccupied with temporal, earthly interests more than with the afterlife, which contrasts with the culture of the Middle Ages Code of behavior involved emphasis on virtue, fame, and glory, with “virtue” defined more as the attempt to live life utilizing one’s skill and talent to the best of one’s ability. Church and State bound together, with papacy exercising military and spiritual power

Renaissance Henry VIII broke from Catholic church in England and declared himself head of Church of England (so he could divorce his wife and marry his mistress!) People began to question purpose and meaning of life (existentialism) “The joining of philosophical and imaginative thinking in literary expression is characteristic of the Renaissance, which cultivated the idea of ‘serious play.’”

Francis Petrarch 1304-1374 (Italian) Lived during Middle Ages, but his work fits in the Renaissance ideology “dedicated himself to the recovery of classical learning” Famous instead for 366 lyric poems in the vernacular, created a new sonnet Trained in law for 10 years but chose classical studies and became a diplomat-scholar for popes and princes.

Petrarch Petrarchan or Italian sonnet form = octave and sestet with a turn (volta) usually after the octave and rhyme scheme either abba abba cd cd cd or abba abba cde cde or some similar variation