AP Euro: Renaissance
Name five city-states in Renaissance Italy?
A. Florence B. Venice—"Queen of the Adriatic" C. Milan D. Papal States E. Genoa
The Medicis and Sforzas played a significant part in the Renaissance as: A) painters of Greek mythology B) the founders of modern science C) rulers of Italian city-states D) military leaders who defeated Islamic expansion E) members of the medieval landed aristocracy
C
During the Middle Ages, the focus of society was closely focused on the manor farm. What form of labor existed in Eastern Europe during the Renaissance period?
Eastern Europe remained mired in medieval manorialism.
"Oh highest and most marvelous felicity of man! To him it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills." The above quotation represents most closely the view of: A. a Northern humanist scholar B. a scholastic theologian C. a Calvinist preacher D. an Italian Renaissance scholar E. a Russian Czar
Pico Della Mirandola "On the Dignity of Man"===D
What are the two paintings by Raphael that are opposite each other in the Vatican?
"Disputa" and "School of Athens"
What are two famous paintings by Sandro Botticelli?
"Primavera" and "Birth of Venus"
What is philosophy?
"The love of wisdom."
What are four "isms" associated with the Renaissance and then briefly define each? Hint: Historians identify these "isms" as distinctive "modern".
1. Humanism—the belief that man can have control over his own destiny and is capable of great achievement. 2. Individualism---the "cult of the individual" as being a source of greatness and making great change (think: "Great Man Theory") became more accepted and the communal lifestyle of the medieval period (such as the manorial agricultural system of the medieval period) was in decline. 3. secularism---since the Greco-Roman world was "pagan", there was an increased reverence for the secular themes associated with these two great civilizations. The beginnings of the separation of Church and State are found in the Renaissance as secular political leaders began to assert their authority over the ecclesiastical or religious leaders. Whereas, in the medieval period, the Pope was supreme, the secular leaders started to become much more important over time. 4. realism---increased realism in art and philosophy; this could be described as neo-Aristotelian (remember, Aristotle went out and looked at the 158 types of government and classified them; whereas the more Utopian Plato had talked of his ideal republic). Thus, you see Machiavelli's The Prince. You also see the rebirth of nudes, like they had in Greco-Roman world to portray how humans actually looked in their ideal form. You also see paintings become more 3 dimensional and realistic as artists discover linear point perspective and shading.
An important feature of the Renaissance was an emphasis on: A) Greek philosophy and Latin verse B) Chivalry C) The teachings of Locke D) Alchemy and magic E) Scholastic education
A
What is a patron of the arts?
A patron of the arts is someone who supports arts and artists with financial contributions.
Raphael painted the "School of Athens". How does the "School of Athens" reflect the values held dear by Renaissance scholars and artists?
A reverence for classical Greco-Roman philosophy!!!!
In the Renaissance, Western Europe (modern Italy, France, England, Holland, Belgium) began to change their economics. These states developed more widespread trade. As a result, many serfs gradually went to the urban centers (cities) where they worked for a wage. What is the difference between a serf and a free wage laborer?
A serf is "bound to the land", whereas a slave could be bought and sold and separated from his/her family. A serf could not be bought and sold (although serfdom in Russia became so abusive that serfdom in Russia by 1800 became nearly indistinguishable from "chattel" slavery. A serf is not owned, whereas a slave is "chattel" (movable piece of property). A lord could not rape and murder a serf, whereas a slave could be raped and murdered by the slave owner.
Circle any of the following that is not an accurate statement. A. Sir Thomas More believed that "the ends justified the means." B. Machiavelli wrote his most famous work entitled, The Prince. C. More wrote, "It is better to be feared than loved." D. Machiavelli was the "father" of modern realpolitik thought. E. More wrote Utopia. F. Machiavelli became a "martyr" after refusing to sign an oath of allegiance recognizing the King of England, Henry VIII, as the head of the Church of England. G. Machiavelli was a "secular humanist" H. More was a medievalist I. More, like many northern Christian humanists, pointed out the abuses within the Roman Catholic Church, but remained a devout supporter of Church doctrine.
A, C, F A---Sir Thomas More was a devout Christian and an idealist, not a realist like Machiavelli. Machiavelli has been associated with the saying, "by any means necessary" or "the ends justifies the means." C---Machiavelli wrote this, not Saint Thomas More. F. More became a martyr for his religion after he refused to recognize the English monarch, Henry VIII, as the head of the English Church. This is why the Catholic Church made him into a Saint. The famous play, "A Man For All Seasons" is about Sir Thomas More's decision to stay true to his convictions and pay the ultimate sacrifice.
Civic humanists: A. advocated active service to the city-state B. opposed the use of public funds to patronize the artists C. supported a theocracy in Florence D. advocated a life of scholarly contemplation E. opposed the republican form of government
A---it is your "civic duty"
Why is a free wage laborer more productive than a serf laborer? Which geographic region of Europe, generally speaking, became more productive because of the switch to free wage labor?
A. A free wage laborer is able to improve his wages (in theory) by working harder and longer, thus motivating a free wage laborer to work hard. Additionally, a free wage laborer was free to move to another location (provided he/she had the means to move) and negotiate for a higher wage. A serf remains a serf no matter how hard they worked. A serf is not motivated to invent new items for the serf would not financially benefit from the new item. A serf is not motivated to work harder since harder labor would not likely result in social mobility, whereas a free wage laborer, at least in theory, has the capacity to move up the social ladder. B. Until the 19th century, eastern Europe remained mired in medieval manorialism.
Renaissance can roughly be translated to mean "rebirth". The Renaissance was a rebirth of interest in what? Two specifics needed.
A. Greek philosophy, especially Aristotle and later Plato B. Roman verse and stylized language presentation (think: Vergil) C. Greco-Roman literature and culture D. artistic achievement of Greece and Rome and a sense of the accomplishment of humans---humanism
Name three families or people who were great patrons of the arts in Renaissance Italy.
A. Medicis of Florence B. Sforzas of Milan C. Pope (Pontiff, Papacy) of Papal States surrounding Rome D. Borgias
The "rediscovery" of the works of Aristotle ushered in the era of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was characterized by all of the following:
A. a spirit of questioning of formerly accepted authority. B. growing power of secular institutions C. growing realism in art D. growing sense of individuality
In an era of increased globalization, what type of jobs are most likely to grow in the United States and what type of jobs are most likely to decrease in the United States over the next fifty years? Think demographics.
A. increase: science and math and nursing B. decrease: low tech manufacturing
All of the following were common subjects of Italian Renaissance works of art EXCEPT: A. equestrian statues B. nude figures C. portraits D. figures of mythology E. peasant life
Artists require food. Food requires money. Peasants don't have a lot of disposable income or money. Thus, peasant life is not depicted because peasants rarely pay artists and thus peasant life is not a common subject for Renaissance artists. Men of horseback looking regal and powerful are common (have you been to Lafayette Square!). The poor walked. The rich rode on horseback.
"He desired glory and excellence beyond that of anyone else. He showed favor to vernacular poetry and all the fine arts. Under him, the city was not free, but it would have been impossible for it to have had a better or more pleasing tyrant." The passage above most accurately describes: A. Lorenzo de' Medici B. John Calvin C. William of Orange D. Philip II E. Queen Elizabeth.
A—Lorenzo the Magnificent ruled at the height of Florence's "Golden Age". His death in 1492 was followed two years later by France's invasion of the Italian Peninsula. He was famous for being a great patron of the arts.
What were the "means" used to achieve President Johnson's desired "ends" stated in the previous question? A. the power broker B. stuffing ballots C. getting elected
B
How did the sources (inspiration) emphasized by Erasmus differ from the sources emphasized by Machiavelli?
Both Machiavelli (from Italy) and Erasmus of Rotterdam (modern Netherlands) were humanist scholars who read works from classical antiquity. Machiavelli emphasized the great works of the Greco-Roman tradition, and while Rotterdam was well versed in these sources as well, Erasmus emphasized the original works of Biblical text, including the "Sermon on the Mount". Erasmus was focused on cleansing the Catholic Church of abuses and returning the Church to serving the needs of the "flock" (common parishioners) and not the need of High Church officials (bishops, cardinals, Popes).
How did the sources (inspiration) emphasized by Erasmus differ from the sources emphasized by Machiavelli?
Both looked to classical sources, but the Northern Christian Humanists emphasized Biblical sources in their original as well.
How does Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" or "Primavera" demonstrate the changing attitudes of European artists and intellects during the Renaissance? Hint: Explain why either of these painting would not have been painted during the medieval period.
Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and "Primavera" both reference Greco-Roman culture. Both paintings have as their subject Roman themes and pagan gods. Pagan gods would not have been painted in the medieval period since the Catholic Church was in charge of paying for most art in the Middle Ages and "pagan gods" would not be something to be glorified.
According to Jacob Burkhardt, the famous 19th century Swiss historian, the Renaissance was: A. a period of moral decline B. an era of tremendous graft and corruption in Italian government C. a distinct break from the Middle Ages D. a period of great political unity within Italian politics E. none of these choices are correct
C
Humanism encompassed all of the following beliefs EXCEPT: A) an admiration for classical culture B) every individual had dignity and worth C) people should expect fulfillment only in the afterlife D) the idea of a well-rounded mind and body
C
Humanism encompassed all of the following beliefs EXCEPT: A. an admiration for classical culture B. every individual had dignity and worth C. people should expect fulfillment only in the afterlife D. the ideal of a well-rounded mind and body E. human nature is most vividly revealed in the Greek and Roman classics
C
Lyndon Johnson was a great power broker as a politician. He became President during the 1960's. In his first run for political office, the future President Johnson forged dead people's names on ballots in order to get elected. In this scenario, "the ends justified the means" in Johnson's mind. The "ends" in this case were: A. the power broker B. stuffing ballots C. getting elected
C
Thomas Friedman would support all of the following EXCEPT: A. globalization is part of an inevitable historic process B. moderate and progressive forces in the Middle East should be encouraged C. the Chinese and Indians, in general, have higher standards of living than most Americans. D. the development of fiber optic cable helped make the world "smaller" than it has ever been.
C
What is a "Renaissance man"? A. a great politician B. a great athlete C. a person skilled in many fields D. a vocational technician E. a skilled scholastic theologian
C
Which of the following describes a major difference between the northern Renaissance and the Italian Renaissance? a. northerners had greater concern for using only classical Latin b. northerners had a greater respect for Scholastic thought c. northerners seemed more consumed with religious piety d. southerners were more concerned with atheism
C
During the Renaissance, the most widely read book on manners, The Book of the Courtier, for the wealthy was written by:
Castiglione
The Renaissance began in northern Italy because Italy: A. was a united nation with a strong central government B. the peasants rose up and demanded to become artists C. enjoyed a favorable location for trade with the Islamic World D. was isolated from the rest of the World E. had imposed harsh restrictions on trade with the rest of the world
C—trade made northern Italian merchants in the city states of Italy rich and this wealth allowed the wealthy to invest in the "finer things in life", like sculpture, art, music, literature or the "high culture" pursuits.
If you referred to a person as "Machiavellian", you would means that the person is: A. extremely wealthy B. a heavy contributor to a charitable foundation C. interested only in money D. not bound by moral considerations in gaining an objective
D
Italian women artists of the Renaissance and Baroque era were able to achieve recognition as artists primarily as a result of their: A. commissions from governments B. work painting religious scenes in churches C. role as important teachers in art schools D. commissions from wealthy patrons E. marriage to other famous artists
D
Jared Diamond would believe in all of the following ideas EXCEPT: A. "geography is history" B. human contact with certain types of domesticated animals influence human resistance to these animals C. the geographical layout of the Eurasian land mass on an East-West Axis encouraged trade and communication. D. Yali had less "cargo" because of innate intellectual deficits
D
Machiavelli's work may be described in ALL of the following ways EXCEPT: A. He wrote The Prince. B. Many rulers turned to his book for practical guidance in running a state. C. He believed Italy was weak and divided, and that only a powerful Florence could unite Italy and protect her from foreign invasion. D. The Catholic Church approved of Machiavelli's works since he accepted Christian values.
D
The term "humanism", when applied to Renaissance Italy, refers primarily to the: A. renewed interest in the scientific methods at many Italian universities. B. Capitalist values advanced by leading Italian merchant bankers. C. Antireligious movement among Italian intellectuals D. Scholarly interest in the study of the classical cultures of Greece and Rome. E. Primarily a rejection of the modernism and a desire to return to monastic (monasteries) movement.
D
Which of the following was NOT characteristic of the works of Baldassare Castiglione? A. He wrote the Book of the Courtier B. He believed that the nobles was born, not made. C. He believed that the perfect "courtier" should be skilled in the military arts, but also gain a classical education and adorn his life with the arts. D. Nobles should reject the virtues of chivalry
D
Which of the following was not a leading city in the Italian Renaissance? A. Florence B. Venice C. Milan D. Constantinople
D---Constantinople was the capital and most important city in the Byzantine Empire (aka the Eastern Roman Empire that did not collapse under the onslaught of "barbaric" invasion in 476 C.E.). The walls of Constantinople were destroyed by the cannons of the Ottoman Turks in 1453 C.E. After that, Constantinople (became Istanbul in the 20th century) was the capital of the Ottoman Empire until its collapse in 1917-1919. It was a hugely important trading location, especially prior to the discovery of the ocean route to Asia mastered by Europeans in the 16th century (remember Spain and Portugal).
Which of the following was not characteristic of the Italian Renaissance? A. realism in art B. "rediscovery" of the literature of classical antiquity C. competition between city-states in Italy D. emphasis on scholastic education E. emphasis on liberal arts education
D---scholastic education is associated with the medieval period. Aquinas in the 13th century was a great scholastic.
Which of the following is not associated with feudalism (medieval Europe's political and military system)? A. Lords gave fiefs to loyal knights B. Lords promised protection for serfs C. Serfs provided lords with labor (service) D. Serfs had a high degree of social mobility E. Serfs were "bound" to the land
D---social mobility was not a characteristic of medieval feudalistic Europe. Social mobility increased in western Europe and thus the development of the bourgeoining bourgeoisie in western European society; compared the mired in medieval manorialism associated with eastern Europe.
Which is not characteristic of medieval Europe? A. it was the high point of power for the Roman Catholic Church B. there was conflict between the Pope and secular rulers over land and appointment of Church officials C. land was the basis of power in a feudal economy D. widespread scientific progress and discovery characterized the period from 500-1200 A.D. E. the Black Death killed around 25% of the European population between 1347-51 A.D.
D---the great thinkers of the medieval era (a.ka. the Middle Ages, a.k.a. the "Dark Ages" as the Renaissance scholars called the period) were focused on the subject of theology.
Which of the following describes the political and economic environment of much of fifteenth century Italy? A. three large states dominated by a wealthy landed aristocracy B. control of most of Italy by the papacy, who encouraged mutual cooperation with the Ottoman Empire. C. A strong dual monarchy shared between Venice and Florence D. Many independent city-states governed by prosperous merchant oligarchies. E. Support of the arts in Italy by the Czar of Russia
D---the urban societies saw a struggle between the landed aristocracy and the merchant elites. In capitalist nations that became more urbanized and more centered around cities, the urban merchant elites over time came to rule, as is the case in Italy. Money was starting to become power and the merchants had more disposable money than did the landed aristocrats on their country estates.
Whereas the feudal nobility (large landowners) had dominated life in the Middle Ages, a new social class emerged in the late Middle Ages and during the Renaissance. The urban nobility (read: Medicis and Sforzas) made mad money in a modern manner. What does the example of the route to power of the Medici family indicate about the changing nature of economics in Western Europe as this region emerged from the Middle Ages? In essence, how was the economy of western Europe changing in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance?
During the Middle Ages, land was the basis of power. The Medicis of Florence rose to power by accumulating a vast fortune in trade and banking. The rise of modern market capitalism was characteristic of the modern period. However, not all of Europe was engaged in free wage labor market capitalism during the early period. Which geographic regions of Europe remained mired in medieval manorialism throughout the early modern period and into the 19th century (think: where did serfdom still exist by 1800?)? Eastern Europe, portions of southern Spain; southern Italy. To this day, these regions remain poorer.
All of the following were characteristics of the Italian Renaissance EXCEPT: A. rediscovery and celebration of the classics of Greek and Roman antiquity B. city states dominated by merchant princes C. appreciation of the characteristics of virtu as found in the works of Cicero D. the creation of extensive amounts of secular art E. widespread adoption of new religious ideas in Italy
E---the Italians remained largely Roman Catholic; the North would challenge the Roman Church. The South of Europe, the areas in closest proximity to Rome, remained largely Roman Catholic Christian, whereas the North would break from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century (Protestant Reformation, except Catholic Ireland).
Renaissance artists viewed the medieval past with: A. no clear sense that their own age was distinct from the medieval period B. great interest because the 13th century mosaics challenged artists with their originality C. the same reverence that they held for classical antiquity D. tremendous respect for the achievements in medieval science E. disdain for what they perceived to be its backwardness
E---this is why the Renaissance artists referred to the medieval period as the "Dark Ages"
During the Middle Ages, land was the basis of power. The Medicis of Florence rose to power by accumulating a vast fortune in trade and banking. The rise of modern market capitalism was characteristic of the modern period. However, not all of Europe was engaged in free wage labor market capitalism during the early period. Which geographic regions of Europe remained mired in medieval manorialism throughout the early modern period?
Eastern Europe; in fact, the plight of the peasants in the early modern Europe, resulted in a return to a more harsh serfdom; whereas, the western Europeans moved toward market capitalism and social mobility and away from manorialism.This does not mean that lords lost control over their manor estates even in areas of western Europe that moved away from serfdom toward paid agricultural labor. You must remember that England remained a country ruled for much of its history by landed aristocratic interests even though serfdom began to die with the Black Death in England. The aristocrats in England had huge country estates which provided "jobs" for the local population. Butlers, servers, waiters, cooks, gardeners, stable boys, carpenters, woodsman, builders, etc. were employed by the aristocrats using the wealth generated from the vast landholdings passed down from generation to generation as part of English law. It wasn't really until WWI that the "class system" of English society began to wane. Today, these massive estates in England do not have nearly as many servants and England's nobility knew a more honored position in the 19th century than in the 21st, but the Queen and House of Lords remain today to remind us of a bygone era. Imagine what it was like living in Russia as a serf. Serfdom in Russia became progressively more oppressive and cruel as the landed aristocracy gained more localized control and the serfs suffered under the cruel whip of the Russian aristocrat, in many instances (see how to avoid the sweeping generality).
The Renaissance humanism spread from Italy to northern Europe. The humanism of the north took on a different tone that related to the problems within the Roman Catholic Church at the time. Who were two Northern Christian humanists who talked about the abuses found in the Church (nepotism, absenteeism, worldliness, uneducated clergy, politicization of the papacy, etc.), but were attempting to reform the Church from within?
Erasmus of Rotterdam In Praise of Folly and Sir Thomas More Utopia. These northerners were intensely critical of the human abuses in the Catholic Church and called for reform, especially of the priesthood and the High Church officials. However, neither Erasmus or More called for a revolutionary movement designed to break away from the Church. However, both men would inspire others, including Luther and Calvin, to take criticism one step further and move toward a complete break with the Papacy. As the old saying goes, "Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched."
The "rediscovery" of the works of Aristotle ushered in the era of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was characterized by all of the following EXCEPT: A. a spirit of questioning of formerly accepted authority. B. growing power of secular institutions C. growing realism in art D. growing sense of individuality E. unquestioned reliance on the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church
E—Homer, Vergil, Machiavelli are read!!!
You were assigned to read the chapter in your textbook on the Renaissance. The text had an extensive portions of the chapter on social change during the Renaissance. Which of the following was not part of the society of the Renaissance? A. clocks allowed Europeans to quantify time, and along with the printing press and the cannon, gave Europeans a distinct advantage over the Maya in central America and the Chinese. B. With respect to love and sex, the Renaissance witnessed a downward shift in women's status. In contrast to the medieval tradition of relative sexual equality, the Renaissance humanists laid the foundations for the bourgeois double standard. C. In an age when theft was punishable by mutilation, the rape of a noble, marriageable girl was punished by a fine or six months imprisonment. D. the devil was often represented as a black man in medieval and early Renaissance art E. women of the upper classes gained a higher degree of sexual equality during the Renaissance than did their peers amongst the peasant classes.
E—sexual roles for men and women and the widespread belief that women were inferior ("undeveloped males"---from Aristotle through Aquinas---as more people were educated, they learned of the supposed "weaknesses" of women and women became associated with temptation---this hurt the status, especially of upper class women). There tended to be more equality in the lower classes by necessity, as lower class marriages required cooperation to avoid starvation!
The Renaissance began in northern Italy because Italy:
Geography is history---had a favorable location of trade with the Islamic world. The Islamic world had one of the great libraries in the world. The Muslims had preserved the great works of classical antiquity, which was the basis for the humanist movement associated with the Renaissance.
I gave you an article entitled, "Grit". In a single sentence, explain the main idea of the article?
Got grit—you will need it to study for this exam. Grit is the determination to set a goal and work each day toward achieving that goal; it is the characteristic found in successful people and grit becomes a habit of the mind if lived on a daily basis.
Raphael painted his "Disputa" on an opposite wall in the same room as his "Sachool of Athens". What is the subject of his "Disputa"?
Great "fathers of the Church" or theologians in history. Ergo, Rpahael loves both faith as witnessed by his depiction of great theologians in his "Disputa", while simultaneously embracing the "reason" of Greco-Roman philosophy as witnessed by his masterpiece, "School of Athens" (his depiction of great philosophers with Plato and Aristotle at center).
How did the liberal arts education of the Renaissance (education was still only an elite practice) differ from the scholastic education of the Middle Ages? You will need to define both systems. What was the purpose of a liberal arts education and how did it differ from the scholastic education offered in the Middle Ages? Hint: Baldassare Castiglione's Book of the Courtier. Juxtaposition required.
In medieval Europe, the Church dominated education. Therefore, the focus of education was on theological scholarship. In the modern era, we began to become reinvigorated by the greatness of classical Greece and Rome, and therefore look at the new cannon of studies which included Greek philosophy, Latin verse, history, rhetoric, literature, in addition, to math and science. In short, the liberal arts education was a more well rounded education based in classical literature and philosophy, whereas the scholastic education focused narrowly on theology, law, and medicine.
What was the connection between Islamic scholars of the Middle Ages and the humanists in Italy during the Renaissance?
Islamic scholars preserved works of classical antiquity, thus these works of Aristotle and later Plato could be "rediscovered" by Western intellectual and academics. These "rediscovered" works of classical antiquity would inspire the Renaissance infatuation with classical antiquity and reinvigorate Western thought.
About what percentage of society at the time of the Renaissance was comprised of the landed aristocracy or urban nobility?
Less than 10%. Nobility was a "status symbol". If you were of "noble" birth, you held a esteemed position in society. Think of the words "noble" and "classy". A noble decision. A classy person. Words mean things!
History, art, literature, moral philosophy, and rhetoric were described by Renaissance writers as:
Liberal arts
"If a Prince wants to maintain his rule, he must learn how not to be virtuous, and to make use of this or not according to his need." This quotation is attributed to:
Machiavelli
"...It is, then, much safer to be feared than to be loved...for touching human nature, we may say in general that men are untruthful, unconstant, dissemblers, they avoid dangers and are covetous of gain. While you do them good, they are wholly yours...but when (danger) approaches, they revolt." Who was the author of this passage and what was the title of his most famous book?
Machiavelli, The Prince (Florence, wrote for Medici)
Whereas the feudal nobility (large landowners) had dominated life in the Middle Ages, a new social class emerged in the late Middle Ages and during the Renaissance. The urban nobility (read: Medicis and Sforzas) made mad money in a modern manner. What does the example of the route to power of the Medici family indicate about the changing nature of economics in Western Europe as this region emerged from the Middle Ages? In essence, how was the economy of western Europe changing in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance?
Medicis made money in a modern manner of market capitalism. They made money as merchants and bankers. In the medieval period, the landed aristocratic elite had power as society was based on the distribution of land. In the modern period, wealth in the form capital became the basis for power.
During the late Middle Ages and into the modern period, Eastern Europe returned to a form of labor that "bound" peasants to the lord's land. What type of economic system came to dominate Eastern Europe during the early modern period?
Medieval manorialism (read: serfdom)
I am famous for my statues of "David" and "Moses" and for my frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Who am I?
Michelangelo
How is Michelangelo's "David" characteristic of Renaissance art?
Michelangelo's "David" is both a glorification of the human form, but also a tribute to the Biblical tradition since the subject is from the Bible. Ergo, this is both a tribute to humanism and faith, as Aquinas made possible.
Sir Thomas More was a medievalist communalist. Describe how the humanistic emphasis on individualism differed from the medieval manorial tradition?
More emphasized the needs of the community over the needs of an individual, whereas the modern trends have been toward the needs of the individual to be protected from the encroachment of the community. Thus, rugged individualism or acting in your own individual self-interest soon came to challenge the medieval emphasis on the individual being subservient to the community.
"O highest and most marvelous felicity of man! To him it is granted to have whatever he chooses to be whatever he wills." The excerpt is from:
Pico della Mirandola, On the Dignity of Man
Explain how Raphael's "Disputa" and "School of Athens", which hang opposite of each other in the Vatican, illustrates the concept of the compatibility of "Faith and Reason" as discussed by St. Thomas Aquinas.
Raphael's "Disputa" pays tribute to the great "Churchmen" and his "School of Athens" pays tribute to the great secular thinkers (Greek and Roman---Plato and Aristotle at the center). This shows that you can have reverence for both "Faith" and "Reason" simultaneously as a mark of a well rounded intellect; whereas the Middle Ages had been focused most entirely on only "Faith", the Renaissance was made possible when Aquinas said that the traditions of both Greece and Rome and Christianity are not incompatible, but actually, reinforcing.
Renaissance can roughly be translated to mean "rebirth". The Renaissance artists and intellectual considered their era to be a rebirth of interest in what?
Reverence for "Classical Antiquity": Greek philosophy (Aristotle and Plato); Roman literature and Cicero's language; humanism; Greco-Roman culture, art, architecture, etc.
Who was the 13th century scholastic theologian/philosopher who helped bring about the distinction between theology and philosophy?
St. Thomas Aquinas
Lorenzo Valla's demonstration that the "Donation of Constantine" was fraudulent weakened the papacy's claim: A. that Lutheranism was a heresy B. of supremacy over the Orthodox Church C. that good works were necessary for salvation D. to extensive territories in Italy E. to supremacy over church council
The "Donation of Constantine" was a document that was used by the Pope to justify vast landholdings in Italy as being given to the Church by Constantine. Valla investigated this document and found words in the document that did not come into use until well after Constantine was deceased, thus proving the document a forgery. It seems that someone who wanted the Church in control of Italian lands had created a forged document. Historians began to look back at the primary documents to draw conclusions and no longer accepted on face the "assumed" reliability of secondary sources.
How was the political landscape of Italy different from the political landscape emerging in Spain, France and England during the 16th century and the Era of New Monarchies? Hint: Use the word "sovereignty" in your answer.
The Italians lacked unity until the 19th century, instead being divided into many different city states. The New Monarchies in England, France and Spain emerged as singular sovereign nations in the 16th century and thus were able to utilize a nation's resources toward a single foreign policy. This explains why Italy and Germany were used as the battle grounds for the other great powers. It also explains why the Atlantic Powers (along with geography) emerged as the dominant region in Europe (the discovery of the New World and trade routes to Africa didn't hurt).
In the late Middle Ages, a scholar in the Christian Church named Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote about the importance of both FAITH and REASON. The great Renaissance artist Raphael painted to great paintings that stand next to each other in the Vatican. One of these paintings was the "School of Athens" (a painting paying tribute to great philosophers of Greece and Rome). The other painting is titled, "Disputa"(a painting paying tribute to the great Christian "fathers"). What does this tell us about how the Renaissance differed from the Middle Ages?
The Middle Ages was almost exclusively associated with religion (FAITH), whereas the Renaissance intellectual did not abandon FAITH, but also embraced REASON (philosophy of classical antiquity). Raphael demonstrates the capacity of Renaissance intellectuals to embrace both the FAITH tradition ("Disputa"), while simultaneously embracing the Philosophy of classical antiquity in "School of Athens".
How is Botticelli's "Primavera" symbolic of how Renaissance artists viewed themselves in relation to the "Dark Ages" (their term, not mine)?
The figures in Botticelli's "Primavera" references Roman mythology and is a secular theme. Additionally, the painting is very realistic looking, more like a picture than ever before.
Who arranged marriages amongst the elite in Renaissance Italy?
The male dominated society usually had arranged marriages between the families of the wealthy elite. These were politically arranged marriages, not necessarily love marriages. Remember how the Hapsburgs grew to such a large empire---marriage!!! Remember why Catherine de Medici
How did the printing press and the use of the vernacular impact European society? Be specific
The printing press made written works more affordable (manuscripts are really expensive to make!!!!). The use of the vernacular made literacy possible for the mildly educated. While Latin remained the language of the elite across Europe (Newton wrote his scientific treatises in Latin in 1687, the use of the vernacular grew and each nationality developed its own literary tradition. The growth of the use of propaganda and the reach on an individuals idea spread rapidly---think of the influence of Luther's "95 Theses" made possible by the printing press. In short, the printing press and the use of the vernacular made higher rates of literacy a possibility.
When Holy Roman Emperor Charles V visited Titian, he stooped to pick up the artist's dropped paintbrush. How does this action demonstrate the changing attitude toward the artist during the Renaissance?
The reverence for the arist was part of the development of the Renaissance; artists became "rock stars". Great fame achieved by being an artist as the artist was elevated in status.
What is theology?
The study of religion.
Briefly define humanitas? Ask Mr. White.
The study of the humanities or the study of the human condition.
Dante Alighieri wrote his Divine Comedy. Chaucer wrote the "Canterbury Tales". Miguel de Cervantes wrote Don Quixote.. These men were the first to write using the ____________ in his respective country. During the 1450's, Gutenberg published the Bible using his new invention, the printing press.
Vernacular---language spoken by the common person; when you combine the use of the vernacular and the invention of the printing press, you have a massive growth in literacy and propaganda and education, as a larger % of society are exposed to works of literature. Also, the price of copy (printed word) declined dramatically, since the printing press did not require individual to recopy manuscripts, as had been the case in the medieval scriptoria.