1. Writers of the Renaissance
A New Kind of Literature

2. “How-to” Books
Poets, artists, & scholars mingled with politicians at the courts of Renaissance rulers.
A literature of “how-to” books sprang up to help ambitious men & women who wanted to rise in the Renaissance world.

3. Niccolo Machiavelli Florentine Diplomat
Met many important politicians of the day, but none had more impact on him than Prince Cesare Borgia.
Borgia was a cunning, cruel man, whom Machiavelli did not truly like, but he thought that a leader like Borgia was the only person who could unite Italy

4. Niccolo Machiavelli (continued)
Unfortunately for Machiavelli, he was dismissed from office when the Medici Family came to rule Florence.
The lack of a job forced him to switch to writing about politics.
In order to impress the Medici family & gain influence, he wrote The Prince.

5. The Prince Machiavelli advised rulers that
“…the ends justifies the means.”
What does that mean?
Record an example of this occurring in everyday life.
HINT!

6. Francesco Petrarch One of the first humanists Famous scholar & teacher
Also wrote poetry
His sonnets to Laura, an imaginary ideal woman, are considered some of the greatest love poems in literature.

7. Francesco Petrarch (continued)
Believed that the classical writers were committed to virtue in public and private life.
The study of ancient Greek and Roman literature came to be called classical education.
Knowledge of classical Greek and Latin became the mark of an educated person.
What did we say was another word for Greek and Roman influence?

8. Canzone #3
It was on that day when the sun's ray was darkened in pity for its Maker, that I was captured, and did not defend myself, because your lovely eyes had bound me, Lady.
What happened to Petrarch in this poem?

9. Sir Thomas More An English Humanist Interested in the Classics
What are the classics?
In 1516 he published Utopia
Let’s read an excerpt from that work…

10. Utopia
“Under such a system, there’s bound to be plenty of everything, and as everything is divided equally among the entire population, there obviously can’t be any poor people or beggars.”
What does More describe in this excerpt?
Let’s define the word utopia…

11. Utopia The word utopia has come to mean “an ideal place or society.”
He contrasted his life in Europe with his description of an imaginary, ideal society. The word utopia has come to mean “an ideal place or society.”
In More’s imaginary world, all male citizens were equal. Everyone worked to support the society.

12. More on More
Later in life More served under King Henry VIII of England.
Because More refused to agree that the king was the supreme head of the church in England, King Henry had him executed.
Some 400 years later, the Catholic Church made More a saint for his service to the Church.

13. Yes, this will be graded 
Your Utopia!
Characteristics of Your Utopia
Written Description
Name of Utopian Nation
Geographical Location
Politics and Governmental Style
Economy and Trade
Social Values
Slogan that summarizes the societies’ most important goals.
What is your view of what a perfect world should be?
Please see handout.
Yes, this will be graded 

14. Writers for a New Audience
Scholars like More wrote mostly in Latin. In northern towns & cities, the growing middle class demanded new works in the vernacular.
This audience particularly enjoyed dramatic tales & earthly comedies.

15. William Shakespeare English poet & playwright
Between 1590 & 1613, wrote 37 plays that are still performed around the world today
He wrote comedies, historical plays & tragedies
S:\World History\Renaissance & Reformation\Videos\William_Shakespeare_Bio.3gp

16. Hamlet
Prince Hamlet is visited by his father's ghost & ordered to avenge his father's murder by killing King Claudius, his uncle.
After struggling with several questions, including whether what the ghost said is true and whether it is right for him to take revenge, Hamlet, along with almost all the other major characters, is killed. 
In a final duel, Hamlet is mildly cut with a sword which has been tipped with poison.  In his slow death he utters what is regarded as the most famous monologue in all theater literature…

17. Hamlet
“To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them?”

18. Words of Wisdom
Machiavelli & Castiglione wrote “how-to” guides for nobles who wanted to rise to power.
Now it’s your turn to write a “how-to” guide, but not for nobleman of the Renaissance… for the Freshman of Appoquinimink High School.
Write 10 guidelines for Freshman Survival at AHS. Remember, we want to help them make it to graduation in 4 short years. So impart some wisdom!
This will be collected! 

19. Giovanni Boccaccio The Decameron
Ten individuals fleeing from the plague into the countryside tell stories.
The Decameron is believed to have influenced Geoffrey Chaucer and his famous book of the Canterbury Tales.

20. “Heaven would indeed be heaven if lovers were there permitted as much enjoyment as they had experienced on earth”

21. Writing Sample
Today we will examine another piece of famous Renaissance literature. Dante’s Divine Comedy vividly describes the nine layers of hell. Your task is to describe the ninth, and most wicked, level of hell. Utilize as many of your senses as possible in your description (taste, touch, vision, smell, hearing, etc).

22. LEVEL TITLE DESCRIPTION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Name: ____________________________________
Directions: Use this graphic organizer to take notes during the classroom discussion regarding Dante’s Inferno.
LEVEL TITLE
DESCRIPTION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

24. Dante Aligheri
Inferno is the first part of The Divine Comedy – an epic poem
Dante is guided through the nine circles of hell by the Roman poet, Virgil.
Each circle gradually increases in wickedness until he finally meets Satan.

25. The nine circles of hell ~
First Circle (Limbo)
Second Circle (Lust)
Third Circle (Gluttony)
Fourth Circle (Greed)
Fifth Circle (Anger)
Sixth Circle (Heresy)
Seventh Circle (Violence)
Eighth Circle (Fraud)
Ninth Circle (Treachery)

26. Lost
Here he is astray, in a gloomy woods, ready to enter.

27. Limbo
People who did not actively sin, but who also did not actively accept Christ

28. Lust
Paolo and Francesca
Francesca was married to Paolo’s brother

29. Gluttony Gluttons are forced to lie in “slush” and foul
Icy rain symbolizes the cold, loneliness that comes from selfishness

30. Greed: Popes Trying to Push Heavy Money Bags up a Hill.

31. Anger The wrathful fight each other in the gurgling water.
They withdraw into the black sulkiness where they can find no joy.
Constant anger

32. Fraud Geryon The face of an honest man, The furry paws of a lion
Poisonous sting of a snake-like tail

33. The journey

34. Treachery
Satan is waist deep in ice, weeping tears from his six eyes, and beating his six wings as if trying to escape, although the icy wind that emanates only further ensures his imprisonment.
Each face has a mouth that chews on a prominent traitor

36. Writing Sample Rubric
Please see handout.