The Middle Ages v. The Renaissance

Philosophy The Middle Ages  Scholasticism Studied the ancient writers in order to understand God Interpreted the classics in a Christian sense Essentially tried to combine the teachings of the Bible with classical writings Used logical reasoning to analyze historical problems The Renaissance  Humanism Admiration and emulation of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Philosophy of enjoying this life, instead of just waiting for the next one. The glorification of humans and the belief that individuals are can do anything. The belief that humans deserved to be the center of attention.

Literature The Middle Ages  Dante’s The Divine Comedy  Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales  Francois Villon’ s The Grand Testament  Christine de Pisan The Renaissance  Castiglione’s The Courtier  Machiavelli’s The Prince  Thomas More’s Utopia

Ideal Man The Middle Ages  The ideal man was the pious man  Went to Church and was obedient to the Church  Conducted his duties by his family and God The Renaissance  Castiglione’s The Courtier Broad background in various academic subjects Dance, music, the arts Could compete in sports Knew how to conduct politics and economics

Religion The Middle Ages  Crisis in the Church Babylonian Captivity The Great Schism  Leads to a decline in papal prestige  Many people begin to question their devotion to the church Not necessarily religion The Renaissance  Trend toward secularism Basic concern with the material world  Intellectuals inclined to skepticism  Broad masses were not nearly as affected

Sculpture The Middle Ages  Statues usually reflected religious themes  Nudity was minimal or used in terms of morality The Renaissance  Appreciation for the human form – ideal perfection  Imitation of Greco- Roman themes  Realism

Art The Middle Ages  Paintings were lacking in depth and perspective.  Paintings usually lacked a background.  Always themed religiously and usually focusing on heaven or holy people.  The paintings were not realistic, and made no sense geometrically or mathematically.  The subjects did not show any emotions, except for calm or piety. The Renaissance  Emulation of the Ancient Greeks and Romans.  Good use of depth in paintings.  Linear (further away = smaller) and atmospheric (further away = hazier) perspective.  Paintings began to have more detailed backgrounds.  Not necessarily religious, more focus on earthly themes and humans.  More realistic, geometrically precise and mathematically accurate.  Subjects showing signs of more emotion.  Contraposto posture, in which the subject is shifting his or her balance.

Architecture The Middle Ages  Romanesque style of architecture Rounded arches Darker interiors Thick walls, small windows  Gothic style Taller, airy Stained glass Pointed arches The Renaissance  Emphasis on form and balance  Introduction of the dome  Recreation of classical elements such as columns

Technology The Middle Ages  Mostly agricultural in nature The Renaissance  The printing press  Clocks  Shipping

Marriage and Family The Middle Ages  Some deliberate pre- marriage pregnancy  Parents took the lead in arranging marriages  Women married in their twenties  Men around 30  Traditional family gender roles for husband and wife  No divorce The Renaissance  Not much changed  Many were financial convenience marriages  Marriage age actually decreased  Traditional gender roles  Women’s status declines

Status of Women The Middle Ages  Women were the primary caregivers for home and children  Excluded from many craft guilds  Women seen as fundamental to success of their families The Renaissance  Increase in women working outside of the house  Status of upper class women decline More stress on women’s role in the home Women seen as inferior to men Excluded from public life  Generally women received a modest education

Politics The Middle Ages  Loosely tied to the monarchy  Close relationship between monarchies and the papacy  Rulers have an obligation to act as moral role models Idealist view of government The Renaissance  Italian City states- Oligarchies  Loose federation  Trend towards centralization in other countries  Separation from the papacy  The ends justify the means