1. Focus Question #6 How did Writers Influence the Renaissance Worldview?

2. The Influence of Writers
Pride and identity developed in states across Europe as the Monarchy became more stable.
Writing was being published in peoples own language instead of always in Latin.
Because people published books in their own languages now, there needed to be consistency in the vocabulary, spelling and grammar of each language.
Keeping the language consistent also gave writers, readers, and speakers a common identity.

3. Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) Famous early English writer
Wrote the Canterbury Tales
About social and political circumstances of the time
Used humorous stories of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral

4. Sir Thomas More ( )
He was an important advisor to King Henry VIII
Advocated for religious tolerance
Was executed for not denouncing the Roman Catholic Church
In 1935 (400 years after his death), he was declared a saint for his unwavering belief in the Roman Catholic church and dying for his faith
Write Utopia
Describes an ideal world with no problems
Influenced the education system in England which began placing more emphasis on humanities and the ideals of Renaissance humanism.
Utopia

5. Francois Rabelais (1494-1553) Wrote Pantagruel
A series of books about the adventures of a giant named Gargantua and his son Pantagruel.
His books made fun of parts of society he thought should be changed
He wanted to entertain people while also educating them.
His writing was a good example of humanist interest in questioning all aspects of society and existence.
His books were banned by the Church, but read by many.

6. Pleiade (mid-1500s)
This was actually a group of seven French Renaissance poets
Pleiade is a constellation of 7 stars of equal brightness)
They believed literature in France should be written in French not Latin, and that it should imitate classical Roman and Greek literature.

7. William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
One of the most widely read authors of all time.
Studied worldwide for his inventive use of language and insight into human nature
The themes in his writings have been abundantly reproduced in movies, books, music, and video games.
His works have been translated into languages across the globe.
Wrote for people of all classes, but were very popular with the lower class.
Discipline

8. How did writers influence the Renaissance worldview?
Review What You Know!
How well could you respond to Focus Question #6?
How did writers influence the Renaissance worldview?