Note Taking Verbatim is the least effective way to take notes DO NOT just copy word for word what is on the slides or in the book. THINK about what is said and summarize it Notes should be considered a work in progress NOTES should be reviewed after class and checked for clarity Notes should be used as study guides for tests The more notes that are taken, the better. If while taking notes you have a thought or connection to other texts, write it down!

Note Taking Starting Questions What is being defined in the presentation? To which general category does each item introduced belong? What characteristics does the speaker present that separate the item from other things in this general category? What evidence (examples or explanations) does the speaker present that supports the evidence? What other advice to you have for note taking?

The Renaissance

Leaving the Middle Ages What was the typical life of most people in the Middle Ages?

What is the Renaissance? Means “Rebirth” Originally started in Italy Renaissance ideas soon spread beyond Italy to northern Europe by means of trade, travel, and printed material, influencing the art and ideas of the north.

A Book Revolution Printing Press Mid-1400s, Johannes Gutenberg cast letters of alphabet on metal plates, locked metal plates on wooden press; perfected movable type printing Result, one of most dramatic upheavals world has ever known Printed word available to more people and prompted more people to read

A Book Revolution Gutenberg’s first publication, 1,282-page Bible Printers soon appeared in other cities, made books quickly, inexpensively Explosion of printed material quickly spread Renaissance ideas

Philosophers and Writers Northern humanists expressed their own ideas Combined interests of theology, fiction and history Created philosophical works, novels, dramas, and poems

Humanism Developed during the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth centuries, As a response to the challenge of Mediæval scholastic education, emphasizing practical, pre-professional and - scientific studies. Scholasticism focused on preparing men to be doctors, lawyers or professional theologians, and was taught from approved textbooks in logic, natural philosophy, medicine, law and theology Humanists persuaded others to act virtuous Now known as humanities (history, English, art, poetry, rhetoric, etc.)

Desiderius Erasmus Combined Christian ideas, humanism Wrote of pure, simple Christian life, educating children Fanned flames of discontent Roman Catholic Church censored “If you keep thinking about what you want to do or what you hope will happen, you don't do it, and it won't happen.”

Sir Thomas More More’s best-known work, Utopia, contains criticisms of English government, society He described a world where there is freedom and harmony between individuals and Kings He believed society should be based on reason and with reason/ conversation there should not be war or conflict

Christene de Pizan Italian-born writer focused on role of women in society Married at 15 and widowed 10 years later Grew up in French court of Charles V; turned to writing when widowed Championed equality, education for women Europe’s first professional writer – 41 complete works in her lifetime

Shakespeare Many believe English playwright William Shakespeare greatest writer Plots not original, but treatments of them masterful Drew inspiration from ancient, contemporary literature Knowledge of natural science, humanist topics expressed in plays Use of language, choice of themes made plays appealing even to uneducated Plays helped spread ideas of Renaissance to mass audience Focused on lives of realistic characters, unlike morality plays By Shakespeare’s death, 1616, London scene of thriving theatre district

Artists Like literary counterparts, northern European artists influenced by Italian Renaissance Adopted Italian techniques Italian artists tried to capture beauty of Greek, Roman gods in paintings Northern artists and Italian Artists both interested in Christian Art (as hired by Pope or English Crown) Northern artists tried to depict people as they really were

Northern Renaissance Art Often bright colors Depicted people as slender with flowing lines Great appreciation for beauty and detail

Jan Van Eyck Arnolfini Wedding, 1434 (Wall Detail to right)

Hans Holbein The Ambassadors