1. Intellect in the Renaissance Role of Humanism and the Rise of the Individual

2. Meaning and Characteristics of the Italian Renaissance Renaissance = Rebirth Key Terms of the Renaissance Individualism ?? Secularism ?? Humanism ?? Emphasis on and interest in the unique traits of each person An intellectual movement in Ren. Italy based on the study of the Greek and Roman classics. The process of becoming more concerned with material, worldly, temporal things and less with spiritual and religious things.

3. The Individual God-given ingenuity could/should unravel the secrets of God’s universe Man’s fate could be controlled and improved Sense of liberation due to awareness of human potential Virtú = man (vir) self-sufficient self-confident takes advantage of opportunities Wisdom + Virtue = Humanism

4. Humanism & New Learning Cultivation of the liberal arts of antiquity Moral Philosophy, Grammar & Logic, Rhetoric, Mathematics, Astronomy, Poetry & Music [vs. scholasticism (medicine, law, theology)] Pietro Paolo Vergerio (1370-1444) freedom = development of full potential Rise in biblical scholarship based on critical study of original Hebrew and Greek texts Getting back to the beginnings without the help of the clergy Vittorino da Feltre (Mantua, 1378-1446) sound mind deserves sound body (physical education) But what about girls??? What were they to study???

5. Humanism & Politics cultivation of authors, such as Cicero, Homer, Virgil Leonardo Bruni, The New Cicero – glorification of Cicero as politician + author; life of participation and activity ethics independent of Christianity – moral greatness of individual and one’s ability to discover truth & wisdom Civic humanism: Humanists should be involved in government and use their rhetorical training in the service of the state.

6. (some more) Humanists Francesco Petrarch, 1304-1374 “Father of the Italian Renaissance”; first man of letters (litterae humaniores ) liberal education = “art of living” = life infused with ethical values  “Christ is my God; Cicero is the prince of the language.” Lorenzo Valla (1407-1457) The Elegances of the Latin Language Purification of medieval Latin, stress use of Latin over the vernacular, identifies the growth stages of Latin Baldesar Castiglione, 1478-1529 The Courtier (conduct book for ideal courtier) Described the model Renaissance gentleman as one with artistic, athletic, and intellectual skills (Renaissance Man) Niccolo Machiavelli, 1468-1527 The Prince, 1513