And Pico della Mirandola Renaissance Humanism And Pico della Mirandola

The Renaissance “Rebirth” of Humanism of the Greeks and Romans, including their poetry, plays, science, math, astronomy, chemistry, and interest in the individual (as opposed to theological study). Back to Greek and Roman Sculpture Art Music Literature Drama Democracy Philosophy Science

Renaissance, continued BEFORE the Renaissance, the Church was in control so all of these areas of human endeavor were directed to support of the Church and for worship of God. In 1400’s (Quatrocento) Italy, France, and by 1500’s England, re- started all of these OUTSIDE of the Church control, partly because of Protestant Reformation & Science combined, and partly because of manuscripts discovered – writings from Greece & Rome NOW a secular emphasis – not by church people, not for church people, not about God Individualism/ Humanism: People are not TYPES, but individuals People are not represented as primarily SPIRITUAL, but as intelligent and individual, depending on oneself, rather than the social structure

Renaissance Humanism “Renaissance Humanism” = a new concept of what humans are Emphasis on the above arts and endeavors, plus Rich potential of human nature/ “Man’s” potential power Free creative play of human talent in every field The individual soul apart from all others A person who shaped his own destiny, free in mind & spirit Perspective in art Study of anatomy & astronomy & biology Less symbolism and more real, concrete reality Intense interest in things human and earthly Began in Italy (Quattrocento) and went to France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, England

Italian Renaissance Humanism Petrarch and Laura Also see Dante’s Divine Comedy

Renaissance Humanism Michaelangelo

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola Oration on the Dignity of Man The Whole Oration After thinking a long time, I have figured out why man is the most fortunate of all creatures and as a result worthy of the highest admiration and earning his rank on the chain of being, a rank to be envied not merely by the beasts but by the stars themselves and by the spiritual natures beyond and above this world. This miracle goes past faith and wonder. And why not? It is for this reason that man is rightfully named a magnificent miracle and a wondrous creation. If you see a philosopher judging things through his reason, admire and follow him: he is from heaven, not the earth. If you see a person living in deep contemplation, unaware of his body and dwelling in the inmost reaches of his mind, he is neither from heaven nor earth, he is divinity clothed in flesh.

The Early Modern Period Another name for the Renaissance Emphasis is on looking forward from the 15th and 16th centuries to NOW – we see the concerns and psychology of the people of the Early Modern Period as essentially akin to ourselves

Actual history 1453-1789 Specifically Fall of Constantinople (1453) to French Revolution (1789) From a global standpoint, the most important feature of the early modern period was its globalizing character — it witnessed the exploration and colonization of the Americas and the rise of sustained contacts between previously isolated parts of the globe. The historical powers became involved in global trade. This world trading of goods, plants, animals, and food crops saw exchange in the Old World and the New World. The Columbian exchange greatly affected almost every society on Earth. In the world, capitalist economies and institutions became more sophisticated and globally articulated. This process began in the medieval North Italian city-states, particularly Genoa, Venice, and Milan. (Early Modern Period in Wikipedia)

Not to mention Martin Luther 1483-1546 (died before Elizabeth became Queen but while Henry VIII was in power) Began the Protestant Reformation which rocked Europe Nailed “95 Theses” against corrupt practices like sale of Indulgences (Pardons) on door of U. of Wittenberg “Here I stand. I can do no other.”