Renaissance Handout Notes
renaissance handout notes.doc
Read p.330/331
Renaissance – means “rebirth” or “revival”
The Renaissance was a “rebirth” of the Greek/Roman ideas/ideals.
Italians decide to try to become famous again; like Roman Empire had been.
Church less powerful and more open to new ideas (ex. nude statue never would have been
allowed in sight in M.A. now church is buying these for best cathedrals!)
Radical shift in ideas about humans and their relation to God.
This began in Italy….Why?
• home of ancient rome (could see old artifacts/architecture of glorious civilization)
• feudal system hadn’t established itself in Italy as it had in Europe
• Italy had an economy based on trade = more cosmopolitan
Heart of the Italian Renaissance in Florence, Italy
• wealthiest (trade)
• banking, manufacturing
• finest artists, writers, thinkers
• Italy’s cultural capital; magnificent buildings, paintings & statues
Europe changing:
• famine/plague
• hundred’s year war
• loss of confidence in church
Then…PRINTING PRESS !!!……………..
allowed Europeans to read classical work and see Italian art/architecture
1st time information is spread so widely, used to take years to do everything by hand in the past
*Philosophy/Literature*
Humanism – the focus on human concerns and classicism during the renaissance years.
emphasis on life on earth rather than rewards in heaven.
humanities – grammar, poetry, history studied
As people were less influenced by church, they began studying literature the church wouldn’t
have allowed them to in the past (ie: Roman stories with multiple gods)
“During the middle ages, the harshness of life and the teachings of the
church motivated people to prepare themselves for a better life in
heaven. The Renaissance humanists, on the other hand, embraced life
on earth in all its forms. They discarded the view that society and
material values were evil, seeking instead to improve humans and
society through enlightened education and action. Thus the
Renaissance was a period of optimism, self confidence, and explosive
creativity” p. 336
Philosophy – Renaissance thinkers began studying philosophy and theorizing.
Niccolo Machiavelli
(Italy)
¾ book “The Prince” (a handbook for rulers)
• ruler should not hesitate to use violence and deception to achieve stability
• question: “Is it better for a ruler to be feared or loved?”
• answer: better for a ruler to be feared!
Thomas More
(England)
¾ book “Utopia”
• criticized such evils as war, poverty, religious persecution
• society should be based on justice, tolerance, kindness
• *ironic; he gets executed for criticizing king’s divorce*
William Shakespeare
¾ books Romeo & Juliet, etc.
• greatest writer in English literature; a product of the Renaissance
Miguel de Cervantes
(Spain)
¾ book “Don Quixote”
• comedy showing how medieval knights have become antiquated.
Painting, Sculpture & Architecture
The achievements most readily associate with the Renaissance are painting, sculpture, and
architecture. Not only did they copy classical models, they also invented new styles &
techniques. No other age in European history has produced so many great painters, sculptors
and architects.
Michelangelo
¾ “David” & Sistine Chapel
Leonardo da Vinci
¾ “Mona Lisa” & “Last supper”
¾ also a scientist, engineer & inventor.
Sculpture & Architecture
Sculptors studied human antonomy, made lifelike statues accurately showed muscles, joints,
Nudes became popular again (David) (p. 330)
Architects turned their attention to constructing symmetrical buildings, domes, columns, friezes.
see Florence’s domed cathedral (p. 345 for ex.)
BUSINESS AND TRADE
manufacturing ↑
as church ↓ power, moneylending and charging interest is allowed.
capitalism ↑, wealth by business profits.
PRINTING PRESS; used to take years, now hours, plus cheap paper (learned from Chinese)
Gutenberg perfected it; so good; no change in machine for next 500 years!
