1. Introduction
Chapter Introduction
This chapter will introduce you to The Renaissance. You will learn how culture and learning in Europe changed from the 1300s through the 1500s.
Section 1: The Origins of the Renaissance
Section 2: New Ways of Viewing the World
Section 3: The Spread of New Ideas
Section 4: The Legacy of the Renaissance

2. The Origins of the Renaissance
Academic Vocabulary
theology—n., study of religious faith, practice, and
experience
The priest spent many years studying theology.
civic—adj., of or relating to citizenship or community
affairs
The judge lectured the jury members on their civic duty.
Tell students to use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. If they are unfamiliar with the terms, they can read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

3. Key Ideas During the Renaissance, economic and social
The Origins of the Renaissance
Key Ideas
During the Renaissance, economic and social
changes began to break down the feudal order.
The Renaissance began in Italian city-states that
had become wealthy through trade and finance.

4. Key Terms mercantile—related to commerce or trade
The Origins of the Renaissance
Key Terms
mercantile—related to commerce or trade
Renaissance—a great cultural revival
that swept through Europe from the
1300s through the 1500s
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

5. Key Terms patron—someone who gives money or
The Origins of the Renaissance
Key Terms
patron—someone who gives money or
other support to a person or group
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

6. Why did feudalism begin to decline?
The Origins of the Renaissance
Why did feudalism begin to decline?
Trade and industry grew. The manor system weakened.
Peasants moved to towns for work that paid wages.
Nobles also moved to towns and married into the mercantile class.
A new urban aristocracy formed. These nobles spent money on beautiful city homes.

7. What cultures were models
The Origins of the Renaissance
What cultures were models
for the Renaissance?
The term Renaissance comes from the French word for rebirth.
Renaissance thinkers rediscovered the literature, art, and learning of ancient Greece and Rome.
To many people, those cultures became models for how to live.
Help students understand the metaphor behind the term Renaissance—the idea that interest in classical culture was reborn.

8. Where did the Renaissance begin?
The Origins of the Renaissance
Where did the Renaissance begin?
Refer students to this map of the Italian City-States in the Student Edition. Point out that Italy was divided into city-states, that its location encouraged trade, and that trade spreads knowledge and ideas.

9. The Importance of Patrons
The Origins of the Renaissance
The Importance of Patrons
In Italian city-states, old aristocrats competed with wealthy merchants and bankers.
The newly rich gained status by becoming patrons of art and learning.
Patrons paid artists to make paintings and sculptures. They also paid architects to design buildings.

10. Fabulous Florence Florence was a center of commerce and banking.
The Origins of the Renaissance
Fabulous Florence
Florence was a center of commerce and
banking.
One of the most powerful banking families
in Florence was the Medici.
The Medici were patrons of the arts.
As a result, Florence became a showcase
of Renaissance art and architecture.

11. New Ways of Viewing the World
Academic Vocabulary
manipulate—v., to manage or utilize skillfully The speaker knew how to manipulate the emotions of the audience.
prestige—n., respect and admiration from others
Receiving the award increased the actor’s prestige.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. If they are unfamiliar with the words, they can read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

12. Key Ideas Renaissance thinkers looked to classical
New Ways of Viewing the World
Key Ideas
Renaissance thinkers looked to classical
learning for a deeper understanding of
human life.
Renaissance art treated both religious and
secular themes in a new realistic style.

13. Key Terms humanism—a cultural movement of the
New Ways of Viewing the World
Key Terms
humanism—a cultural movement of the
Renaissance that was based on the study of
classical works
secularism—the view that religion need not be
the center of human affairs
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

14. Key Terms vernacular—everyday spoken languages of the people
New Ways of Viewing the World
Key Terms
vernacular—everyday spoken languages of
the people
individualism—the belief that the individual
was more important than the larger community
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

15. European Ideas Change Medieval thinkers focused on faith and
New Ways of Viewing the World
European Ideas Change
Medieval thinkers focused on faith and
spirituality.
Renaissance scholars considered classical
culture to be the foundation for a “new
learning.”
Renaissance learning focused on three key
ideas: humanism, secularism, and
individualism.

16. Changes to Learning More people learned to read.
New Ways of Viewing the World
Changes to Learning
More people learned to read.
More books were printed in vernacular languages.
A few boys learned to read and write. Some went on to receive a university education.
Most girls were not educated.

17. New Subjects Sometimes artists would include wealthy or
New Ways of Viewing the World
New Subjects
Sometimes artists would include wealthy or
important people as characters in paintings.
Painting portraits of individuals also become
more common.
Increasingly, Renaissance artists began to paint
subjects that were not religious.
Much Renaissance art has classical subjects.

18. Academic Vocabulary exaggeration—n., overstatement for effect
The Spread of New Ideas
Academic Vocabulary
exaggeration—n., overstatement for effect
A great deal of humor is based on the use of exaggeration.
linen—n., cloth made from the flax plant Clothes made of linen are popular in hot weather.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. If they are unfamiliar with the words, they can read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

19. Key Ideas Northern Renaissance thinkers promoted
The Spread of New Ideas
Key Ideas
Northern Renaissance thinkers promoted
religious and social reforms.
The development of printing increased
literacy and helped spread new ideas.

20. Key Terms utopia—an imaginary, ideal place or society
The Spread of New Ideas
Key Terms
utopia—an imaginary, ideal place or society
satire—a kind of writing that uses ridicule or
sarcasm to criticize vice or folly
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

21. Key Terms engraving—an art form in which an artist
The Spread of New Ideas
Key Terms
engraving—an art form in which an artist
etches a design on a metal plate with a
needle and acid
censor—to remove material from
published works or to prevent their
publication
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

22. Renaissance Ideas Spread
The Spread of New Ideas
Renaissance Ideas Spread
During the Renaissance, ideas spread more rapidly than in the past.
Scholars studied in Italy and took the new ideas of the Renaissance back to their home countries.
Many northern scholars wanted to use the new learning to reform society and the Church.

23. Literacy and Censorship
The Spread of New Ideas
Literacy and Censorship
The increase in reading materials encouraged literacy.
Publishers printed medical manuals, travel accounts, and broadsheets.
People published criticisms of the Catholic Church.
The Church began to censor what people could read. It published a list of prohibited books.

24. Academic Vocabulary artificial—adj., unnatural or human-made
The Legacy of the Renaissance
Academic Vocabulary
artificial—adj., unnatural or human-made
During our last vacation, we swam in an artificial lake.
melancholy—adj., depressed or sad Jane was in a melancholy mood after her friend moved away.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms they may encounter in the section. If they are unfamiliar with the words, they can read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

25. Key Ideas The art and architecture of the Renaissance
The Legacy of the Renaissance
Key Ideas
The art and architecture of the Renaissance
helped shape Western ideas of form and
beauty.
Renaissance authors such as Dante,
Shakespeare, and Cervantes created classics
that are still read today.

26. Key Terms proportion—a way of balancing the parts
The Legacy of the Renaissance
Key Terms
proportion—a way of balancing the parts
of a design to make a pleasing whole
linear perspective—a mathematical
system for representing three-
dimensional space on a flat surface
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

27. Key Terms sonnet—a poem of 14 lines with a fixed rhyming pattern
The Legacy of the Renaissance
Key Terms
sonnet—a poem of 14 lines with a fixed
rhyming pattern
picaresque—related to a style of fiction
that has a series of comic episodes
usually involving a mischievous character
Students should use the Word Wise feature in the Renaissance chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

28. Building During the Renaissance
The Legacy of the Renaissance
Building During the Renaissance
Renaissance architects copied classical architecture. They used the column, round arch, and dome.
Architects designed structures to be beautiful because of their harmony and proportion.
Filippo Brunelleschi built a famous domed cathedral.
He also discovered the rules of linear perspective to show three dimensions on a flat surface.

29. Artists of the Renaissance
The Legacy of the Renaissance
Artists of the Renaissance
The phrases “Renaissance man” and “Renaissance woman” describe people with many different talents.
Leonardo da Vinci was talented at painting, drawing, engineering, architecture, and music.
Michelangelo Buonarroti was a painter, sculptor, architect, and poet.
Some women became accomplished rulers, artists, and writers, during the Renaissance.

30. How did William Shakespeare change the English language?
The Legacy of the Renaissance
How did William Shakespeare
change the English language?
Refer students to the feature on Shakespeare in Section 4 and the chart about well-known phrases that originated in works by the English playwright and poet. Have students use what they read in the section to discuss why Shakespeare is still studied.