1. The Renaissance

2. Renaissance, A Rebirth
Rebirth of antiquity or Greco-Roman civilizations
Recovery from the Black Death and all its consequences
Revived emphasis on individual ability (humanism and secularism)
New idea of the well-rounded or universal person

3. Begins in Italy England and France in Hundred Years’ War
Urban region with many cities
Cities had wealthy merchants to patronize the arts
Concentrated in the city of Florence
Medicis
Does spread to the North

4. Values of the Renaissance
Humanism: celebration of the individual
Fame: seen in portrait painting and autobiographical writing
Shift from glory of God to personal glory
Secularism: enjoyed worldly pleasures
Classical learning of the Greeks and Romans
Is humanism bad? Is secularism bad?
Signed names to art
Worldly pleasures: after Black Death wanted to enjoy life b/c it could end; fine food, wine, jewelry, clothing and musice

5. The Renaissance Man “Universal Men” Excelled in many fields
Strove to master almost every art
“Man can do anything if he will.” –Leon Battista Alberti

6. The Renaissance Man Well educated in Greek and Latin classics
Charming, polite, witty
Could dance, write poetry, sing, play music
Physically graceful and strong
Skilled in riding, wrestling, and swordsmanship

7. The Renaissance Woman As educated as a man Knew the classics
Could write well
Charming
Could paint, play music, dance
BUT…. Not expected to seek fame as men did
Expected to inspire but not write poetry or create art
Did not take part in public/political life like men
Had little political, economic, or social influence
A muse
Only wealthy, noble women had much say in public life

8. Niccolo Machiavelli The Prince Advice for rulers
“the end justifies the means”
“it is better to be feared than loved”