2. What is humanism? A philosophy that developed during the Renaissance that focused more on the potential of man and less on the doctrine of the Catholic Church (like the beliefs of the Middle Ages)

3. Characteristics of Humanism The study of classical works from Greece and Rome led to Humanism

4. Characteristics of Humanism Humanists had a secular world view, which meant they focused on worldly rather than spiritual matters

5. Dante Lived before the Renaissance (during the High Middle Ages, or at the end of the Medieval period) but his writing had Renaissance and Humanist characteristics He wrote in the vernacular (Italian, common language) He wrote about personal experiences, not just religion His most famous book, The Divine Comedy, gave importance to the classical author, Virgil.

6. Petrarch The Father of Humanism Generated the movement to uncover classical writing Focused on the works of Virgil and Cicero

7. Erasmus Christian Humanist Wrote In Praise of Folly, which criticized the corruption and superstition of the Catholic Church Translated Greek texts of the New Testament Thought everyone should be able to read the Bible