Ch. 17 Section 2

Humanism Humanism is an idea based on the values of the ancient Greeks and Romans Humanist believe that the individual and human society are important. Humanist can be religious, but believe in a balance between faith and reason. It was a main principal of the Renaissance and the artwork that accompanied the Renaissance.

Hooked on Phonics During the Renaissance, educated people wrote in Latin, especially in the Church. People began to write in vernacular, or the language of the common people. IN the early 1300’s, Dante Alighieri wrote on eof the first famous works in vernacular, The Divine Comedy. The Divine Comedy tracks a mans journey from hell to heaven. It marked a change in writing and also the audience. Chaucer also wrote the Canterbury Tales during this time about the levels of English society.

Johannes Gutenburg Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press in the early 1450s. The printing press was revolutionary for several reasons: Print books more quickly More books available led to higher literacy rates Books became cheaper, and available to a larger number of people Religious and scholarly works could be debated easier

Renaissance in England In England, The Renaissance took place in writing and theater more than art. William Shakespeare was one of the greatest examples of the Renaissance in England. He wrote tragedies, comedies, and historical plays. His plays are still popular to this day, 500 years after his death. Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Much Ado About Nothing are some of his most famous works.