The Renaissance Begins

1. How did humanism influence the growth of learning?
Humanists influenced artists to carry on classical traditions and popularized the studies common to classical education.

2. How did ideas about piety and a simple life change?
although people remained devoutly catholic, the spirit of society was secular. Church leaders and the wealthy believed they could enjoy life without offending God.

3. What role did patrons of the arts play in the development of Renaissance ideas?
They spent money to help artists and architects create works of genius.

4. What effects did the emphasis on individuals have on painters and sculptors? They painted portraits of prominent citizens, showing what was distinctive about each; they glorified the human body in natural postures; they developed perspective to enhance realism.

5. How did writers reflect Renaissance values in their work?
They wrote in the vernacular; they wrote either for self-expression or to portray the individuality of their subjects.

6. How did the writing of Petrarch, Boccaccio, and Machiavelli demonstrate the values of humanism?
Petrarch wrote sonnets about Laura, an ideal woman; Boccaccio wrote about the follies of his characters in the Decameron, and machiavelli wrote about the imperfect conduct of humans in the prince.

Terms and Names:
renaissance- the rebirth of art and learning the began in northern Italy around 1300.
humanism- an outlook focusing on human potential and achievements.
secular- worldly rather than spiritual and concerned with here and now.
patron- people who financially support the arts.
perspective- an artistic technique that indicates three dimensions.
vernacular- the native language, rather than classical latin.