The Italian Renaissance

Useful definitions

¨ Renaissance is a French word meaning rebirth- rebirth in that they resumed a civilization like that of the Greco-Romans

¨ The basic institutions of Europe originated in the Middle Ages

¨ Renaissance marked a new era in thought and feeling

¨ It pertained to high culture and hence to a limited number of persons

Definitions Continued

¨ Italian Renaissance involved the whole area of culture which is neither theological nor scientific but concerns moral and civic questions about what man ought to be or ought to do.

¨ Purely secular attitude appeared

¨ Life was no longer seen by leading thinkers as a brief preparation for the life after

Why Italy?

¨ Geography is Destiny

¨ Benefits of Medieval trade routes

¨ Venice and Genoa

Why Italy Continued

¨ Merchants made fortunes in commerce

¨ Lent money to Princes and Popes and thus made more money as bankers

¨ Rejoiced in the beautiful things and psychological satisfactions that money could buy

¨ Outlook was secular

Why Italy Cont.

¨ Italian towns were independent city –states

¨ Italy did not exist as a unified state

¨ Towns competed against each other-civic pride

Changing Attitudes

¨ What arose in Italy was a new conception of man himself

¨ This world was so exciting that another world need not be thought of

¨ What captivated the Italians was a sense of mans tremendous powers.

¨ Formerly there was a disdain for the things of the world. Now a life of involvement was also prized.

Terms and Quotes

¨“The whole glory of man lies in activity” Leonardo Bruni

¨Virtu: The quality of being a man- demonstration of human powers