1. And Pico della Mirandola
Renaissance Humanism
And Pico della Mirandola

2. The Renaissance
“Rebirth” of Humanism of the Greeks and Romans, including their poetry, plays, science, math, astronomy, chemistry, and interest in the individual (as opposed to theological study). Back to Greek and Roman
Sculpture
Art
Music
Literature
Drama
Democracy
Philosophy
Science

3. Renaissance, continued
BEFORE the Renaissance, the Church was in control so all of these areas of human endeavor were directed to support of the Church and for worship of God.
In 1400’s (Quatrocento) Italy, France, and by 1500’s England, re- started all of these OUTSIDE of the Church control, partly because of Protestant Reformation & Science combined, and partly because of manuscripts discovered – writings from Greece & Rome
NOW a secular emphasis – not by church people, not for church people, not about God
Individualism/ Humanism: People are not TYPES, but individuals
People are not represented as primarily SPIRITUAL, but as intelligent and individual, depending on oneself, rather than the social structure

4. Renaissance Humanism
“Renaissance Humanism” = a new concept of what humans are
Emphasis on the above arts and endeavors, plus
Rich potential of human nature/ “Man’s” potential power
Free creative play of human talent in every field
The individual soul apart from all others
A person who shaped his own destiny, free in mind & spirit
Perspective in art
Study of anatomy & astronomy & biology
Less symbolism and more real, concrete reality
Intense interest in things human and earthly
Began in Italy (Quattrocento) and went to France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, England

5. Italian Renaissance Humanism
Petrarch and Laura
Also see Dante’s Divine Comedy

6. Renaissance Humanism
Michaelangelo

7. Giovanni Pico della Mirandola Oration on the Dignity of Man
The Whole Oration
After thinking a long time, I have figured out why man is the most fortunate of all creatures and as a result worthy of the highest admiration and earning his rank on the chain of being, a rank to be envied not merely by the beasts but by the stars themselves and by the spiritual natures beyond and above this world. This miracle goes past faith and wonder. And why not? It is for this reason that man is rightfully named a magnificent miracle and a wondrous creation.
If you see a philosopher judging things through his reason, admire and follow him: he is from heaven, not the earth. If you see a person living in deep contemplation, unaware of his body and dwelling in the inmost reaches of his mind, he is neither from heaven nor earth, he is divinity clothed in flesh.

8. The Early Modern Period
Another name for the Renaissance
Emphasis is on looking forward from the 15th and 16th centuries to NOW – we see the concerns and psychology of the people of the Early Modern Period as essentially akin to ourselves

9. Actual history
Specifically Fall of Constantinople (1453) to French Revolution (1789)
From a global standpoint, the most important feature of the early modern period was its globalizing character — it witnessed the exploration and colonization of the Americas and the rise of sustained contacts between previously isolated parts of the globe. The historical powers became involved in global trade. This world trading of goods, plants, animals, and food crops saw exchange in the Old World and the New World. The Columbian exchange greatly affected almost every society on Earth.
In the world, capitalist economies and institutions became more sophisticated and globally articulated. This process began in the medieval North Italian city-states, particularly Genoa, Venice, and Milan. (Early Modern Period in Wikipedia)

10. Not to mention Martin Luther
(died before Elizabeth became Queen but while Henry VIII was in power)
Began the Protestant Reformation which rocked Europe
Nailed “95 Theses” against corrupt practices like sale of Indulgences (Pardons) on door of U. of Wittenberg
“Here I stand. I can do no other.”