1. Renaissance Rebirth The Norton Anthology of World Literature 1500-1650 Volume C

2. Significant Challenges These aspects posed a significant challenge to notions of Europe’s and humankind’s centrality in the world: –Columbus’s so-called discovery of Americas –New scholarly methods for interpreting ancient texts –Copernicus’s scientific theories –Galileo’s astronomical observations

3. About the Renaissance Series of literary and cultural movements in the 14 th, 15 th, and 16 th centuries Began in Italy –Expanded into Germany, France, England, and other parts of Europe Studied Ancient Rome and Greece –Classical education Ancient texts Poetry History Rhetoric Moral philosophy Humanism –Emphasizes the worth of the individual

4. Humanism Dominant intellectual movement of Renaissance Philosophy that people were rational human beings Emphasized the dignity and worth of the individual Humanities: promotion of a new educational curriculum –Included grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and ethics

5. Humanist Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) –First great humanist –Contemporary poet –Studied and collected ancient texts during his travels –Influenced: Giovanni Boccaccio Niccolò Niccoli Coluccio Salutati

6. Scholasticism Concentrated on study of logic, science, and metaphysics, or the nature of reality Humanists believed scholastics failed to instill respect for public duty Prepared students for training in: –Medicine –Law –Theology Believed to focus on the intellectual development while Humanist focused on the whole self: intellectual, physical, and moral development

7. Characteristics of the Renaissance Rediscovery of classical literature and art Middle Ages: –Interest in classical literature, especially Latin and Latin translations of Greek –Confined to professional activities of theologians, philosophers, and writers –Served a specialized interest and purpose Renaissance: –People from all aspects of society (Kings, Queens, merchants and soldiers) studied classical art and literature. –Amateurs who studied for the pleasure of it –Existed largely for their own sake, objects of ideal beauty or learning

8. Curiosity and Objectivity Intense interest in the visible world Interest in the knowledge derived from concrete sensory experience During the Renaissance, the focus turned from religious issues to the morality of human actions

9. Individualism Individual is seen for his or her unique talents Potential of the individual became significant Brought about an emphasis on education –Intellectual: Scholarship –Writing of Sonnets –Physical: Swordsmanship Wrestling Renaissance: Ideal person is not bound to one discipline. Specialization like that in the Middle Ages is not encouraged.

10. Artists –Middle Ages: Focus on otherworldliness and on glorifying God Humble and remained anonymous –Renaissance: Valued glory and renown Signed their works