Chapter 17 Sections 1 & 2 The Renaissance The Renaissance

Today’s Goal  Essential Question(s) What were the characteristics that led to the emergence of the Renaissance?

End of Middle Ages Europe suffered from war & plague People began to question institutions & religion Breakdown of feudalism Writers & artists began to express new spirit & experiment w/new styles Europe suffered from war & plague People began to question institutions & religion Breakdown of feudalism Writers & artists began to express new spirit & experiment w/new styles

Beginnings of the Renaissance Renaissance = rebirth or revival of art & learning

1. Thriving city-states Plague brought economic changes – merchants began to pursue other interests Plague brought economic changes – merchants began to pursue other interests

Italian City-States: The Five Powers Naples, Papal States, Milan, Florence, Venice No central gov’t Competing city-states Naples, Papal States, Milan, Florence, Venice No central gov’t Competing city-states

Florence Center of Renaissance culture One of wealthiest cities Republic, but basically ruled by the Medici family Center of Renaissance culture One of wealthiest cities Republic, but basically ruled by the Medici family Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence Palazzo Vecchio

2. Merchants & the Medici Wealthy middle class emerged which dominated politics & stressed individual achievement Powerful banking family, the Medici

Cosimo de Medici – won control of Florence’s gov’t Lorenzo de Medici (“the Magnificent”) came to power in 1469

3. Classical heritage of Greece & Rome Drew inspiration from ruins of Rome Studied ancient Latin & Greek literature Drew inspiration from ruins of Rome Studied ancient Latin & Greek literature

Study of classics led to Humanism Humanism focuses on human potential & achievements Studied classics such as history, literature, & philosophy – today known as the “humanities” Humanism focuses on human potential & achievements Studied classics such as history, literature, & philosophy – today known as the “humanities”

Renaissance writers change literature Wrote either for self-expression or to portray individuality of subjects Francesco Petrarch – father of Renaissance humanism –Sonnets to Laura Wrote either for self-expression or to portray individuality of subjects Francesco Petrarch – father of Renaissance humanism –Sonnets to Laura “True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.”

Giovanni Boccaccio –Composed the Decameron, a series of stories that discuss realistic, tragic, and comic views of life Giovanni Boccaccio –Composed the Decameron, a series of stories that discuss realistic, tragic, and comic views of life Renaissance writers change literature “Do as we say, and not as we do.” “People tend to believe the bad rather than the good”

Classical & Worldly Values Humanists suggested one could enjoy life without offending God Society was secular (worldly, not based on religious themes) Humanists suggested one could enjoy life without offending God Society was secular (worldly, not based on religious themes)

Patrons of the Arts Patrons = financially supported artists Wealthy used arts to demonstrate own importance Church leaders spent money on art Patrons = financially supported artists Wealthy used arts to demonstrate own importance Church leaders spent money on art

Renaissance Man Known as “universal man” Excels in many fields: the classics, art, politics, combat Baldassare Castiglione’s The Courtier (1528) Known as “universal man” Excels in many fields: the classics, art, politics, combat Baldassare Castiglione’s The Courtier (1528) Castiglione

Upper-class women should know classics & be charming Inspire but not create art Little role in politics Upper-class women should know classics & be charming Inspire but not create art Little role in politics Isabella d’Este Renaissance Woman

Answer/Summary of Essential Question What were the characteristics that led to the emergence of a Renaissance?