Locus of the Renaissance Economic growth was the basis for the Renaissance Northern Italy (centrally located) benefited from the crusades and the spice trade

Medieval Trade N Italian city-states evolved during the Middle Ages 12th century communes were formed by guilds Sought independence from nobility

Medieval Guilds Commercial Monopoly: Controlled membership apprentice  journeyman  master craftsman Controlled quality of the product [masterpiece]. Controlled prices Provided economic security for their members - cared for sick etc.

The Plague Changes Society What significant ways did the Plague reorder society? (Hint: Think about the film!!!!)

Medieval City-States Emerge Feudal nobility llmerges with commercial class (guilds) Produces a NEW CLASS the urban nobility Who is left out? Popolo Disenfranchised and over taxed; unsuccessfully revolted.

Late Medieval City-States Bellini, Doges of Venice City-states ruled by oligarchies or despots (signori) - façade of republican government

5 Themes of the Renaissance

Italian Renaissance Characterized by self-conscious awareness that Italians were living in a new era Artists of the Renaissance had contempt for medieval predecessors 5 Key themes : Individualism Rationalism Secularism Virtù Humanism

1. Individualism Individualism stressed: a) personality b) uniqueness c) fullest development of capabilities d) the quest for glory The worth of you Paintings signed Artist as an individual

2. Rationalism Use your own mind & draw conclusions Education, literacy, printing press etc

3. Secularism Concerned with the material world not the eternal world Lorenzo Valla On Pleasure defended pleasure Boccaccio Decameron about a worldly society. Papal interests actually encouraged worldliness Revolve around state, as opposed to church

Pico della Mirandola 1463-1494 Our destiny is not determined by anything outside of us. God has bestowed upon us a unique distinction: the liberty to determine the form and value our lives shall acquire….man is the master of his own destiny!

4. Virtú Man made best use of his resources Ability of a man to be able to make an impact on his endeavor Latin for man Quality of being a ;man as opposed to beast Excel in all that he did Act heroically & decisively for good of country

5. Humanism The study of the classics became known as “new learning” or “humanism” Humanism emphasized: a) human beings b) human achievements c) human capabilities Italian humanism became more of an interest to lay people Literary movement in Italy From Cicero - ability of man to act like a man i) Deeply religious viewed the classics in a new light ii) Studied classics to understand human nature iv) Very Christian - men and women were in God’s image v) Rejected classical ideas that opposed Christianity but sought a harmony between paganism, secularism, and Christianity. vi) Loved the language of the classics Does not mean absence of Christ But did go against the need to forsake the secular world God created the world - appreciate it

Francesco Petrarch 1304-1374 Father of Humanism One of the founders of humanist movement was Petrarch The Renaissance was the light after the gloom of the Dark Ages The Roman Empire was the peak of human civilization Glories of this world but meaning of today came from classical past Focus on Plato - more poetic/lyrical than the logical & unemotional Aristotle

Living, I despise what melancholy fate has brought us wretches in these evil years. Long before my birth time smiled and may again, for once there was, and yet will be, more joyful days. But in this middle age time’s dregs sweep around us, and we beneath a heavy load of vice. Genius, virtue, glory now have gone, leaving chance and sloth to rule. Shameful vision this! We must awake or die! Critical of medieval Latin as barbaric MA seen as a bad interval First & foremost considered himself a Christian

Sonnet to Laura If this should be love, O God, what shakes me? If Love it is, what strange, what rich delight! If Love be kind, why has it fangs to bite? If cruel, why so sweet the barb that rakes me? His sonnets became inspiration for reflective poetry

Baldassare Castiglione The Book of the Courtier The Italian Humanist - non religious Wrote for cultured elite; well-roundedness

Courtier ought to be that of arms; which I would have …I am of the opinion that the true profession of the Courtier ought to be that of arms; which I would have him follow above all else and be known among others as bold and strong and loyal to whomsoever he serves...

Niccollo Machiavelli 1469-1527 …some virtues will lead to a prince’s The Prince c.1515 …some virtues will lead to a prince’s destruction and some vices will allow him to survive.. Active in Politics: chancery of Florence; policy-shaper; exiled Hermit-like existence To prevent chaos: need an all powerful government; any means necessary Prince was supreme law, not subject to it Ignored the question of future punishment