Writers of the Renaissance A New Kind of Literature

“How-to” Books Poets, artists, & scholars mingled with politicians at the courts of Renaissance rulers. A literature of “how-to” books sprang up to help ambitious men & women who wanted to rise in the Renaissance world.

Niccolo Machiavelli Florentine Diplomat Met many important politicians of the day, but none had more impact on him than Prince Cesare Borgia. Borgia was a cunning, cruel man, whom Machiavelli did not truly like, but he thought that a leader like Borgia was the only person who could unite Italy

Niccolo Machiavelli (continued) Unfortunately for Machiavelli, he was dismissed from office when the Medici Family came to rule Florence. The lack of a job forced him to switch to writing about politics In order to impress the Medici family & gain influence, he wrote The Prince. The Prince in Machiavelli’s “handbook” is similar to Cesare Borgia. S:\World History\Renaissance & Reformation\Videos\Machiavelli_&_the_Prince.3gp

The Prince Machiavelli advised rulers that “…the ends justifies the means.” What did he mean?

Francesco Petrarch One of the first humanists Famous scholar & teacher Also wrote poetry His sonnets to Laura, an imaginary ideal woman, are considered some of the greatest love poems in literature.

Francesco Petrarch (continued) Believed that the classical writers were committed to virtue in public & private life. Thought these writers could best be imitated by studying their writings. The study of ancient Greek & Roman literature came to be called classical education. Knowledge of classical Greek & Latin became the mark of an educated person.

Canzone #3 It was on that day when the sun's ray was darkened in pity for its Maker, that I was captured, and did not defend myself, because your lovely eyes had bound me, Lady. What happened to Petrarch in this poem?

Sir Thomas More An English Humanist Interested in the Classics What are the classics? In 1516 he published Utopia Let’s read an excerpt from that work…

Utopia “Under such a system, there’s bound to be plenty of everything, and as everything is divided equally among the entire population, there obviously can’t be any poor people or beggars.” What does More describe in this excerpt? Let’s define the word utopia…

Utopia The word utopia has come to mean “an ideal place or society.” He contrasted his life in Europe with his description of an imaginary, ideal society. The word utopia has come to mean “an ideal place or society.” In More’s imaginary world, all male citizens were equal. Everyone worked to support the society.

More on More Later in life More served under King Henry VIII of England. Because More refused to agree that the king was the supreme head of the church in England, King Henry had him executed. Some 400 years later, the Catholic Church made More a saint for his service to the Church.

Writers for a New Audience Scholars like More wrote mostly in Latin. In northern towns & cities, the growing middle class demanded new works in the vernacular. This audience particularly enjoyed dramatic tales & earthly comedies.

William Shakespeare English poet & playwright Between 1590 & 1613, wrote 37 plays that are still performed around the world today He wrote comedies, historical plays & tragedies S:\World History\Renaissance & Reformation\Videos\William_Shakespeare_Bio.3gp

Hamlet Prince Hamlet is visited by his father's ghost & ordered to avenge his father's murder by killing King Claudius, his uncle. After struggling with several questions, including whether what the ghost said is true and whether it is right for him to take revenge, Hamlet, along with almost all the other major characters, is killed. In a final duel, Hamlet is mildly cut with a sword which has been tipped with poison. In his slow death he utters what is regarded as the most famous monologue in all theater literature…

Hamlet “To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them?”

Words of Wisdom Machiavelli & Castiglione wrote “how-to” guides for nobles who wanted to rise to power. Now it’s your turn to write a “how-to” guide, but not for nobleman of the Renaissance… for the Freshman of Appoquinimink High School. Write 10 guidelines for Freshman Survival at AHS. Remember, we want to help them make it to graduation in 4 short years. So impart some wisdom! This will be collected!

Giovanni Boccaccio The Decameron Ten individuals fleeing from the plague into the countryside tell stories. The Decameron is believed to have influenced Geoffrey Chaucer and his famous book of the Canterbury Tales.

“Heaven would indeed be heaven if lovers were there permitted as much enjoyment as they had experienced on earth”

Dante Aligheri Inferno is the first part of The Divine Comedy – an epic poem Dante is guided through the nine circles of hell by the Roman poet, Virgil. Each circle gradually increases in wickedness until he finally meets Satan.

The nine circles of hell ~ First Circle (Limbo) Second Circle (Lust) Third Circle (Gluttony) Fourth Circle (Greed) Fifth Circle (Anger) Sixth Circle (Heresy) Seventh Circle (Violence) Eighth Circle (Fraud) Ninth Circle (Treachery)

Lost Here he is astray, in a gloomy woods, ready to enter.

Limbo People who did not actively sin, but who also did not actively accept Christ

Lust Paolo and Francesca Francesca was married to Paolo’s brother

Gluttony Gluttons are forced to lie in “slush” and foul Icy rain symbolizes the cold, loneliness that comes from selfishness

Greed: Popes Trying to Push Heavy Money Bags up a Hill.

Anger The wrathful fight each other in the gurgling water. They withdraw into the black sulkiness where they can find no joy. Constant anger

Fraud Geryon The face of an honest man, The furry paws of a lion Poisonous sting of a snake-like tail

The journey

Treachery Satan is waist deep in ice, weeping tears from his six eyes, and beating his six wings as if trying to escape, although the icy wind that emanates only further ensures his imprisonment. Each face has a mouth that chews on a prominent traitor