1. Main Ideals of the Renaissance

2. Major concern was a life of active engagement
The life of the mind must eventually contribute to the bettering of one’s city state
Reflection and action promoted virtu

3. Humanism Fascinated by humans and their potential
Studied Latin and Greek classics as well as ancient church fathers
Advocated liberal arts program

4. Humanism had several parts….
Secularism
Focus attention on the here and now
Education, manuals, and treatises on civility all reinforced the notion that humans stood to gain rewards in the temporal world

5. Classics
Ancient values and aesthetics told a captivating story with humans at the center
Individualism
Focus on learning and human affairs should concern the individual

6. Power
The Renaissance was at heart about human control of the environment
Aimed to provide society with intellectual tools that could be used to master everything

7. First humanists were orators and poets
Also taught rhetoric within the universities
When not employed at universities, princely and papal courts sought their talents as secretaries, speechwriters and diplomats

8. The Tuscan Triumvirate
Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio
Called the Tuscan Triumvirate because of their association with Florence, the major city of the region of Tuscany

9. Dante Alighieri
Regarded as the first author of the Italian Renaissance
Best known for the Divine Comedy

10. Petrarch Renowned for his love lyrics, in the forms of sonnets
Developed the Italian sonnet
14 lines
1 group of 8 lines
1 group of 6 lines
Each has their own rhyme scheme

11. Other writers…. Boccaccio Best known for the Decameron Machiavelli
The Prince
Adopted a secular and amoral view of politics
Ruler should be concerned with the preservation of his own authority

12. Castiligione
Wrote the Book of the Courtier
Presented the rules of gentlemanly behavior
Cellini
Wrote a revealing autobiography

13. Lorenzo Valla
Applied the methods of linguistic and historical analysis to demonstrate that the Donation of Constantine was a forgery