1. The Renaissance Society The society of the Renaissance will look different from that of the Middle Ages and many other time periods we have studied. Look for the differences that we see in this time. What is similar and different? How might this tie to the Humanist ideas of the time?

2. The Birth of Knowledge: Guttenberg Printing Press In 1455, a inventor created a machine that changed the world. In 1455, a inventor created a machine that changed the world. Johannes Gutenberg created a printing press with movable type used by goldsmiths and an old wine press. Johannes Gutenberg created a printing press with movable type used by goldsmiths and an old wine press. This machine produced in 50 yrs more written works than all the writing in the history of the world! This machine produced in 50 yrs more written works than all the writing in the history of the world! Making books became quick and cheap, so anyone could buy one, or many. Making books became quick and cheap, so anyone could buy one, or many. Reading amongst all classes of people increase and fuel the questions of the Humanists of the time. Reading amongst all classes of people increase and fuel the questions of the Humanists of the time. Higher levels of reading leads to people writing as well, so you get your first new novels and histories in hundreds of years. The most read book was the Bible, followed by The Travels of Marco Polo and many others. Higher levels of reading leads to people writing as well, so you get your first new novels and histories in hundreds of years. The most read book was the Bible, followed by The Travels of Marco Polo and many others.

3. Common Bond: Music Renaissance society was a music based society, with music taking a central place in many people’s lives. Renaissance society was a music based society, with music taking a central place in many people’s lives. Most people in the Renaissance could read and play music. It was a skill that all classes could learn. Most people in the Renaissance could read and play music. It was a skill that all classes could learn. Because of this you see lots of music in Renaissance culture, and it make an appearance in church and homes. Because of this you see lots of music in Renaissance culture, and it make an appearance in church and homes. Music was used for everything from entertainment to courtship. Men would compose songs and sign them to the ladies they courted. Guys, try singing to get a date. Music was used for everything from entertainment to courtship. Men would compose songs and sign them to the ladies they courted. Guys, try singing to get a date.

4. Renaissance Social Structure Renaissance Society was split into four “estates”, meaning social classes. Renaissance Society was split into four “estates”, meaning social classes. The highest was the Nobility. Although less important during the Renaissance, Nobles had $$$ to support trade and be patrons. Made up 3% of the population. Had to be born into a noble family, like royalty. Nobles were educated and trained for specific jobs. The highest was the Nobility. Although less important during the Renaissance, Nobles had $$$ to support trade and be patrons. Made up 3% of the population. Had to be born into a noble family, like royalty. Nobles were educated and trained for specific jobs. The main group of people in the Renaissance were peasants. Peasants were legally free in the Renaissance and most were townsfolk split into three groups: patricians (wealthy traders) and burghers (shop keepers, artisans, artists) These new social classes were a result of trade and wealth in Europe after the plague. Some 50% of the people were in this class! Huge increase over the Middle Ages! The main group of people in the Renaissance were peasants. Peasants were legally free in the Renaissance and most were townsfolk split into three groups: patricians (wealthy traders) and burghers (shop keepers, artisans, artists) These new social classes were a result of trade and wealth in Europe after the plague. Some 50% of the people were in this class! Huge increase over the Middle Ages! The workers were the lowest of the estates. (farmers, builders, servants, grunts) Living pitiful lives of hard work and little money, these people did little better than the Serfs of the Middle Ages. Made up about 40%. The workers were the lowest of the estates. (farmers, builders, servants, grunts) Living pitiful lives of hard work and little money, these people did little better than the Serfs of the Middle Ages. Made up about 40%. Lastly you had the clergy, members of the church, who remained powerful and rich and made up around 7% of Europe’s population. Lastly you had the clergy, members of the church, who remained powerful and rich and made up around 7% of Europe’s population.

5. Family, Marriage, and Women Life for women in the Renaissance was two sided. Many woman were seen as the image of beauty and could be educated, but this was rare. Life for women in the Renaissance was two sided. Many woman were seen as the image of beauty and could be educated, but this was rare. Women were still under the control of their family, specifically their father. They had to have permission to do everything, but were allowed many new privileges. Woman also became more accepting and excepted for their beauty, with the idea that woman were a muse, or inspiration, for artists. Women were still under the control of their family, specifically their father. They had to have permission to do everything, but were allowed many new privileges. Woman also became more accepting and excepted for their beauty, with the idea that woman were a muse, or inspiration, for artists. Marriage was used for business and people would have been paired with their spouse at as early as 3 yrs old. Marriage was a contract, not a choice.  Marriage was used for business and people would have been paired with their spouse at as early as 3 yrs old. Marriage was a contract, not a choice.  Families would also include a dowry, or an amount of money that would be paid to the groom upon the marriage. Almost like a bribe! Families would also include a dowry, or an amount of money that would be paid to the groom upon the marriage. Almost like a bribe! Woman cared for the children in a family, and the father was the ultimate authority in the home. Children didn’t simply become adults, the father of the family had to go before a judge and free his children. Some were not considered “adults” until their late 20s! Woman cared for the children in a family, and the father was the ultimate authority in the home. Children didn’t simply become adults, the father of the family had to go before a judge and free his children. Some were not considered “adults” until their late 20s!

6. Getting an Education: University As increased learning and reading returns, so does education. As increased learning and reading returns, so does education. Humanism lead to new schools, called Universities, where established to study the “humanities” or liberal arts. Humanism lead to new schools, called Universities, where established to study the “humanities” or liberal arts. The study of history, philosophy, letters, logic, poetry, math, astronomy, and music were taught at these schools. The study of history, philosophy, letters, logic, poetry, math, astronomy, and music were taught at these schools. Unfortunately, few woman were allowed at these universities and most had to get their education by themselves. Those that did learned reading, music, poetry, and dance. Woman were not taught the math or the other ideas above, as they were seen as too complicated for woman. UMMM…NO.  Unfortunately, few woman were allowed at these universities and most had to get their education by themselves. Those that did learned reading, music, poetry, and dance. Woman were not taught the math or the other ideas above, as they were seen as too complicated for woman. UMMM…NO. 

7. Learning the Vernacular: Local Languages As printing increases during the Renaissance, so does the use of the vernacular, or the language of a certain area. As printing increases during the Renaissance, so does the use of the vernacular, or the language of a certain area. This means that instead of one language, some areas used more than one, or had one major and one or more minor languages. This means that instead of one language, some areas used more than one, or had one major and one or more minor languages. Many people of the Renaissance were bi or tri lingual. They might be able to speak Venetian, read German or Italian, and write in Latin! Many people of the Renaissance were bi or tri lingual. They might be able to speak Venetian, read German or Italian, and write in Latin! Depending on the area you lived, different languages and written languages were used, so traders and shopkeepers learned the trading languages they needed to do business! Depending on the area you lived, different languages and written languages were used, so traders and shopkeepers learned the trading languages they needed to do business!

8. Ren Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlgrPprAjw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlgrPprAjw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlgrPprAjw