The RenaissanceThe Renaissance

1.The Renaissance in Italy1.The Renaissance in ItalyA Renaissance historian has described the A Renaissance historian has described the Renaissance as the “Prototype of the Renaissance as the “Prototype of the modern world.” This was the period in modern world.” This was the period in which people began to adopt a rational, which people began to adopt a rational, objective, and statistical approach to objective, and statistical approach to reality and to rediscover the importance of reality and to rediscover the importance of the individual and his or her artistic the individual and his or her artistic creativity.creativity.

(1). Meaning and Characteristics (1). Meaning and Characteristics of the Italian Renaissanceof the Italian Renaissance

The word Renaissance means “rebirth” . The word Renaissance means “rebirth” . specifically, a rebirth of antiquity or Greco-specifically, a rebirth of antiquity or Greco-

Roman civilization.Roman civilization.Though not entirely new, a revived emphasis Though not entirely new, a revived emphasis on individual ability became characteristic of on individual ability became characteristic of the Italian Renaissance. the Italian Renaissance.

(2).The Background of the Italia(2).The Background of the Italian Renaissancen Renaissance

Italy:Birthplace of the RenaissanceItaly:Birthplace of the RenaissanceThe city-states of northern Italy that spawnThe city-states of northern Italy that spawned the Renaissance were developed urban ced the Renaissance were developed urban centers, where people had the wealth, freedenters, where people had the wealth, freedom, and inclination to cultivate the arts to eom, and inclination to cultivate the arts to enjoy the fruits of worldly life. njoy the fruits of worldly life. In Italy ,reminders of ancient Rome’s graIn Italy ,reminders of ancient Rome’s grandeur were everywhere. ndeur were everywhere.

With the expansion of commerce and indusWith the expansion of commerce and industry, Italian feudal values of birth, military ptry, Italian feudal values of birth, military prowess, and a fixed hierarchy of lords and vrowess, and a fixed hierarchy of lords and vassals decayed in favor of ambition and indassals decayed in favor of ambition and individual achievement.ividual achievement.

(3). Humanism(3). Humanism and Individualisand Individualismm

The most characteristic intellectual movement of the The most characteristic intellectual movement of the Renaissance was humanism, an educational and cultRenaissance was humanism, an educational and cultural program based on the study of ancient Greek and ural program based on the study of ancient Greek and Roman literature.Roman literature. Humanism is the term generally apHumanism is the term generally applied to the predominant social philosophy and intellplied to the predominant social philosophy and intellectual and literary currents of the period from c. 1350 ectual and literary currents of the period from c. 1350 to c.1600. The return to favor of classics stimulated thto c.1600. The return to favor of classics stimulated the philosophy of secularism, the appreciation of worlde philosophy of secularism, the appreciation of worldly pleasures, and above all intensified the assertion of ly pleasures, and above all intensified the assertion of personal independence and individual expression.personal independence and individual expression.IndividualismIndividualism is the moral stance, political is the moral stance, political philosophy, or social outlook that stresses philosophy, or social outlook that stresses indepenpence, self-reliance and individual liberty. indepenpence, self-reliance and individual liberty.

(4). Renaissance Literature(4). Renaissance LiteraturePetrarch (1304-13Petrarch (1304-1374), “the father 74), “the father of humanism,” of humanism,” His work Secretum His work Secretum ("My Secret ("My Secret book"), was an book"), was an personal personal imaginary imaginary dialogue with dialogue with Augustine.Augustine.

Dante Alighieri Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) The (1265-1321) The greatest Italian poet greatest Italian poet and one of the most and one of the most important writers of important writers of European literature. European literature. Dante is best known Dante is best known for the epic poem for the epic poem COMMEDIA, c. COMMEDIA, c. 1310-14, later 1310-14, later named LA DIVINA named LA DIVINA COMMEDIA (COMMEDIA (Divine Divine ComedyComedy ). ).

Giovanni BoccacciGiovanni Boccaccioo (1313 –21 Decemb (1313 –21 December 1375) was an Italier 1375) was an Italian author and poet, an author and poet, a friend and correspa friend and correspondent of Petrarch, ondent of Petrarch, an important Renaisan important Renaissance Humanist and sance Humanist and the author of a numthe author of a number of notable workber of notable works including the s including the DecaDecameron,meron, On Famous On Famous Women, and his poeWomen, and his poetry in the Italian Vertry in the Italian Vernacularnacular

(5). Secular Politics-Machiavelli a(5). Secular Politics-Machiavelli and the New Statecraftnd the New Statecraft

No one gave better expression the RenaissaNo one gave better expression the Renaissance preoccupation with political power thance preoccupation with political power than Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527). n Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527).

Niccolò di Bernardo dei Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (May 3, Machiavelli (May 3, 1469 –June 21,1527) 1469 –June 21,1527) was an Italian was an Italian diplomat,political, diplomat,political, philosopher,musician,pophilosopher,musician,poet and playwright. et and playwright. Machiavelli was a Machiavelli was a figure of the Italian figure of the Italian Renaissance, and a Renaissance, and a central figure of its central figure of its political scene. He is political scene. He is best known for his best known for his works on realist works on realist political theory.The political theory.The Prince was considered Prince was considered one of most famous one of most famous treatises on political treatises on political power in western world.power in western world.

2:The High Renaissance inside 2:The High Renaissance inside and outside of Italyand outside of Italy

(1) Renaissance Art(1) Renaissance Art The essential meanings of the RenaissaThe essential meanings of the Renaissa

nce is conveyed through its art, particunce is conveyed through its art, particularly architecture, sculpture, and paintlarly architecture, sculpture, and painting. Renaissance examples of all three ing. Renaissance examples of all three art forms reflect a style that stressed prart forms reflect a style that stressed proportion, balance, and harmony.oportion, balance, and harmony.

The great Renaissance artists included The great Renaissance artists included Leonardo da Vinci(1452-1519),MichelaLeonardo da Vinci(1452-1519),Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), and Rapngelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), and Raphael Santi (1483-1520).hael Santi (1483-1520).

Leonardo di ser PierLeonardo di ser Piero da Vincio da Vinci (April15,1(April15,1452-May 21, 1519) It 452-May 21, 1519) It is primarily as a paiis primarily as a painter that Leonardo nter that Leonardo was and is renownewas and is renowned. Two of his works, d. Two of his works, the the Mona LisaMona Lisa and and TThe Last Supperhe Last Supper occu occupy unique positions py unique positions as the most famous, as the most famous, most reproduced anmost reproduced and most parodied pord most parodied portrait and religious ptrait and religious painting of all time,ainting of all time,

Leonardo di ser PierLeonardo di ser Piero da Vinci . o da Vinci . Mona LiMona Lisasa

Leonardo da Vinci(1452-1519). The Last SLeonardo da Vinci(1452-1519). The Last Supperupper

Michelangelo di LodoviMichelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni co Buonarroti Simoni (March 6, 1475 – Februa(March 6, 1475 – February 18, 1564), commonly ry 18, 1564), commonly known as Michelangelo,known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissa was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculpter, arnce painter, sculpter, architect, poet and enginchitect, poet and engineer. his versatility in theer. his versatility in the disciplines he took up e disciplines he took up was of such a high ordewas of such a high order that he is often considr that he is often considered a contender for thered a contender for the title of the archetypal e title of the archetypal Renaissance, along witRenaissance, along with his rival and fellow Ith his rival and fellow Italian Leonardo di ser Pialian Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinciero da Vinci . .

David By MichelangDavid By Michelangelo Buonarrotielo Buonarroti

Raphael Sanzio, usuallRaphael Sanzio, usually known by his first nay known by his first name alone (April 6 or Mme alone (April 6 or March 28,1483–April 6, 1arch 28,1483–April 6, 1520)was an Italian pai520)was an Italian painter and architect of tnter and architect of the High Renaissance , he High Renaissance , celebrated for the perfcelebrated for the perfection and grace of his ection and grace of his paintings and drawingpaintings and drawings. Together with Miches. Together with Michelangelo and Leonardo langelo and Leonardo da Vincida Vinci he forms the the forms the traditional trinity of grraditional trinity of great masters of that pereat masters of that period. iod.

Cowper Madonna bCowper Madonna by Raphael Santiy Raphael Santi

The School of AthensThe School of Athens by Rap by Raphael Santihael Santi

(2): The Spread of the (2): The Spread of the RenaissanceRenaissance

Aided by the invention of printing, the Aided by the invention of printing, the Renaissance spread to Germany, France, Renaissance spread to Germany, France, England, and Spain in the late fifteenth England, and Spain in the late fifteenth and the sixteenth centuries. In its and the sixteenth centuries. In its migration northward, Renaissance migration northward, Renaissance culture adapted itself to conditions culture adapted itself to conditions different from those in Italy—particularly different from those in Italy—particularly the strength of lay piety. the strength of lay piety.

Desiderius Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (c. 146Roterodamus (c. 1466-1536) Erasmus was 6-1536) Erasmus was a classical scholar wa classical scholar who wrote in a "pure" ho wrote in a "pure" Latin style and enjoLatin style and enjoyed the Sobriquet "Pyed the Sobriquet "Prince of the Humanirince of the Humanists." He has been calsts." He has been called "the crowning glled "the crowning glory of the Christian ory of the Christian humanists. “ He behumanists. “ He belongs the credit for longs the credit for making Renaissance making Renaissance humanism an interhumanism an international movement.national movement.

French and English French and English HumanismHumanism

Francois Rabelais (c. 1494-c. 1553), a Francois Rabelais (c. 1494-c. 1553), a former monk, exemplified the humanist former monk, exemplified the humanist spirit in France. In response to religious spirit in France. In response to religious dogmatism, Rabelais asserted the dogmatism, Rabelais asserted the essential goodness of the individual and essential goodness of the individual and the right to enjoy the world rather than the right to enjoy the world rather than be bound by the fear of a punishing God.be bound by the fear of a punishing God.

Francois Rabelais Francois Rabelais (c. 1494-April 9. 1(c. 1494-April 9. 1553), was a major 553), was a major FrenchFrench RenaissanRenaissance writer, doctor ce writer, doctor and humanist. Hand humanist. He is regarded as ae is regarded as an avant-garde wrin avant-garde writer of fantasy, satiter of fantasy, satire, the grotesque, re, the grotesque, dirty jokes and badirty jokes and bawdy songs. in 153wdy songs. in 1532 he published hi2 he published his book, s book, PantagruePantagruell, ,

The most influential humanist of the The most influential humanist of the early English Renaissance was Sir early English Renaissance was Sir Thomas More (1478-1535). His most Thomas More (1478-1535). His most famous book is famous book is UtopiaUtopia, the first major , the first major utopian treatise to be written in the West utopian treatise to be written in the West since Plato’s republic and one of the since Plato’s republic and one of the most original works on the entire most original works on the entire Renaissance.Renaissance.

Thomas More Thomas More (1478-1535). (1478-1535). was an English was an English lawyer, author, lawyer, author, and statesman and statesman who in his who in his lifetime gained a lifetime gained a reputation as a reputation as a leading leading humanist humanist scholar. His scholar. His most famous most famous book is book is UtopiaUtopia

William Shakespeare (1564-1616), widely William Shakespeare (1564-1616), widely considered the greatest playwright the considered the greatest playwright the world has ever produced, gave world has ever produced, gave expression to Renaissance values—honor, expression to Renaissance values—honor, heroism, and the struggle against fate heroism, and the struggle against fate and fortune.and fortune.

William William Shakespeare (26 Shakespeare (26 April 1564 – 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616 ) was April 1616 ) was an English poet an English poet and playwright, and playwright, widely regarded widely regarded as the greatest as the greatest writer in the writer in the English Language English Language and the world's and the world's pre-eminent pre-eminent dramatist. He is dramatist. He is often called often called England's England's national poet and national poet and the “Bard of Avon" the “Bard of Avon" (or simply "The (or simply "The Bard"). Bard").

(3): The Renaissance and the (3): The Renaissance and the Modern AgeModern Age

The renaissance, then, marks the birth of The renaissance, then, marks the birth of modernity; in art; in the idea of the individmodernity; in art; in the idea of the individual’s role in history and in nature; and in ual’s role in history and in nature; and in society, politics, war, and diplomacy. society, politics, war, and diplomacy. The revival of antiquity by the humanists diThe revival of antiquity by the humanists did not mean, however, that they identified cd not mean, however, that they identified completely with it. The revival itself was donompletely with it. The revival itself was done too self-consciously for that. e too self-consciously for that.