Humanities 103 Exam 312102012 Q1 In Renaissance History

Humanities 103exam 312102012q1in Renaissance History And Religion

In Renaissance History and Religion, Renaissance" literally means "rebirth." It refers especially to the rebirth of learning that began in Italy in the fourteenth century, spread to the north, including England, by the sixteenth century, and ended in the north in the mid-seventeenth century (earlier in Italy). During this period, there was an enormous renewal of interest in and study of classical antiquity. Since the Renaissance was more than a "rebirth." It was also an age of new discoveries, both geographical (exploration of the New World) and intellectual. Both kinds of discovery resulted in changes of tremendous import for Western civilization. In science, for example, Copernicus () attempted to prove that the sun rather than the earth was at the center of the planetary system, thus radically altering the cosmic world view that had dominated antiquity and the middle Ages.

In religion, Martin Luther () challenged and ultimately caused the division of one of the major institutions that had united Europe throughout the middle Ages--the Church. In fact, Renaissance thinkers often thought of themselves as ushering in the modern age, as distinct from the ancient and medieval eras. Study of the Renaissance might well center on five interrelated issues. First, although Renaissance thinkers often tried to associate themselves with classical antiquity and to dissociate themselves from the middle Ages, important continuities with their recent past, such as belief in the Great Chain of Being, were still much in evidence. Second, during this period, certain significant political changes were taking place.

Third, some of the noblest ideals of the period were best expressed by the movement known as Humanism. Finally, as it developed during the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation was a movement that had profound implications, not only for the modern world in general, but specifically for literary history. Just as Renaissance Humanists rejected medieval learning, the Reformation seemed to reject the medieval form of Christianity. (It should be noted, however, that both Catholics and Protestants were Humanists, though often with different emphases.) In the early sixteenth century, the German monk Martin Luther reacted against Church corruption, the sort depicted, for example, by Chaucer in the Canterbury Tales.

In Renaissance Art and Architecture, painting, sculpture, architecture, and allied arts produced in Europe in the historical period called the Renaissance. Broadly considered, the period covers the 200 years between 1400 and 1600, although specialists disagree on exact dates. The word renaissance literally means "rebirth" and is the French translation of the Italian rinascita. The two principal components of Renaissance style are the following: a revival of the classical forms originally developed by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and an intensified concern with secular life–interest in humanism and assertion of the importance of the individual.

The Renaissance period in art history corresponds to the beginning of the great Western age of discovery and exploration, when a general desire developed to examine all aspects of nature and the world. Italy had always been an important educational center, attracting numerous students from abroad and sending its own scholars to work in countries beyond the Alps. Well before the end of the 15th century, the ideas and interests of the Italians humanists had spread in much of Western Europe. Humanism was promoted not only by scholars trained in Italy, but also by those who had traveled in Italy and adopted the humanists ideas, such as English theological John Colet and German poet Conrad Celtis.

Pico Della Mirandola believed that our destiny takes shape by the way we shape ourselves; we are free to acquire any destiny we wish. The Oration on the Dignity of Man explains why man is the most wonderful of all creations. Mirandola points out the opinion of Abdala de Saracen and Hermes Trismegistus the Egyptian priest. It states that nothing is more wonderful than man, who is considered a great miracle. Some of the reasons given for the magnificence of human nature are that man is close to the gods, he masters over the lower creature, and he is the nodal point between eternity and time. Mirandola thinks that these may be good reasons why man is wonderful, but he also considers the fact that man is so much more than this past mentioned.

Man has ranks that even the stars, and minds beyond this world envy. Mirandola feels that these may be good reasons why man is wonderful, but he also considers the fact that man is so much more than this past mentioned. Man was like nothing else that had already been made, he was completely unique. Another reason why man is so magnificent according to Mirandola is that god gave no limitation as far as place to live or function that is his choice alone; man enjoys the freedom of choice. God gave man his own desires and judgment to acquire whatever wants.

All other things have a limited nature and are bound by our laws. Man, who was placed in the center of the world has the power to degrade him into the lower forms of life, like beasts. He has the power contained in his intellect and judgment to be reborn into the higher forms, the divine. Still another reason why man is so great is that he shapes himself. However, when an animal is born it has all that it will ever have at that time.

Man is crated with seed of every kind. Whichever ones he plants are what he becomes; unlike a spiritual being will be whatever he is, for eternity. And because he transforms himself into any form and becomes any creature he wants to, he is to be the most admired. Machiavelli’s idea of a “perfect” man or prince is very superficial and there seems to be a desire to be the all-powerful being, God. Machiavelli describes this man as without conscience or any moral ethics, he is ruthless and without respect of faith.

The Machiavellian man has a putrid mind, and is willing to reach its highest by means of deceit, violence, fierce competition, cruelty, corruption, and deceiving oneself. He is a man who tries to deceive people and himself. A liar only lies to himself, no matter the consequence; the prince will strive, because he is merciless. Machiavelli does try to portray a prince that is both good and evil, but both cannot exist in a prince’s mind. The prince, just as evil, only does well when it is to his advantage.

He is only concerned with his appearance and wealth. He appears to be a great leader, but inside he is wicked and horrid. The Machiavellian prince covers his true identity with a mask of deceit; he no longer needs to lie because he uses what comes to his advantage, be it good or evil. The Machiavellian prince is a person with no dignity or moral standards. Mirandola describes a man who is the complete opposite of the Machiavellian prince.

He describes man as being a unique being, as the most exquisite masterpiece of God. Mirandola la advises that we should not take our abilities lightly, but use these special qualities or gifts to our advantage, not to cause others pain and humiliation as in The Prince. Man should let a holy ambition enter into his soul, so that he should not just want to be average, but strive after the highest and use all his strength to achieve it. Man is a being that shapes him; if he turns out good or bad that is up to him. Furthermore, man is able to achieve anything as long as he sticks to it and tries his best.

Unlike the Machiavellian man, Mirandola expresses faith in man’s decision, he does not need to use deceit to get where and what he wants, he needs only faith and reason. It is up to man what happens on that fateful day, the Day of Judgment, in which he can either take his rightful place next to God or Satan. When Plotinus and other philosophers who would become known as the Neoplatonists formulated their ideas in the third century, they never intended to start a new school of philosophical thought. Likely, their intention was to express the teachings of Plato as they understood them. Neoplatonism posits that individual souls can be reunited with the original source, an infinite divinity from which all other life emanates.

Little did the Neoplatonist thinkers know that their influence would span centuries, from the mystical and religious thought of antiquity to Renaissance art, and continuing to the spiritual and religious thought of the present. Renaissance music is European music written during the Renaissance, approximately . Defining the beginning of the era is difficult, given the lack of abrupt shifts in musical thinking during the 15th century. The process by which music acquired "Renaissance" characteristics was a gradual one, and musicologists have placed its beginnings from as early as 1300 to as late as the 1470s. In addition, the Italian humanist movement, rediscovering and reinterpreting the aesthetics of ancient Greece and Rome, influenced the development of musical style during the period.

In Renaissance Performing Arts, the increasing reliance on the interval of the third as a consonance is one of the most pronounced features of early Renaissance European art music. Polyphony, in use since the 12th century, became increasingly elaborate with highly independent voices throughout the 14th century: the beginning of the 15th century showed simplification, with the voices often striving for smoothness. This was possible because of a greatly increased vocal range in music – in the middle Ages, the narrow range made necessary frequent crossing of parts, thus requiring a greater contrast between them. Shakespeare updated the simplistic, two-dimensional writing style of pre-renaissance drama. He focused on creating “human” characters with psychological complexity. Hamlet perhaps is the most famous example of this.

In Renaissance Literature, I think the most, best captures of the work in the field of Renaissance poem is the Shakespeare. The upheaval in the accepted social hierarchy allowed Shakespeare to explore the humanity of every character regardless of their social position. Even monarchs are given human emotions and are capable of making mistakes. Shakespeare utilized his knowledge of Greek and Roman classics when writing his plays. Before the renaissance, these texts had been suppressed by the Catholic Church. Until the early 19th century, this article deals with literature from Britain written in English; then America starts to produce major writers and works in literature. America and Ireland produced many of the most significant works of literature in English, and after World War II writers from the former British Empire also began to challenge writers from Britain.

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The Renaissance, often characterized as a "rebirth," marked a profound transformation in European history, encompassing developments in art, science, religion, philosophy, and literature. Starting in Italy in the fourteenth century, this era spread across Europe, fundamentally altering Western civilization's intellectual and cultural landscape. Central to this period was a renewed interest in classical antiquity, which fueled innovations in various scholarly and artistic fields. This essay explores the multifaceted aspects of the Renaissance, focusing on its historical significance, philosophical ideas, artistic achievements, and literary expansions.

Historical and Religious Context

The Renaissance signifies more than just a revival of classical learning; it represents a cultural renaissance that fostered new discoveries and challenged established doctrines. The period's intellectual awakening was epitomized by figures like Copernicus, who proposed a heliocentric model of the universe, radically altering the medieval cosmic worldview. Concurrently, religious upheaval was catalyzed by Martin Luther's Reformation, which questioned Church authority and sparked divisions within Christianity. These developments reflected a broader shift toward individualism and inquiry, setting the stage for modern scientific and religious thought.

Philosophy and Humanism

Philosophically, the Renaissance was deeply influenced by humanism, emphasizing human potential, individual agency, and the importance of classical philosophy. Pico della Mirandola’s "Oration on the Dignity of Man" exemplifies this outlook, celebrating human possibilities and the capacity for self-shaping. Mirandola argued that humans possess the unique freedom to ascend or descend in their spiritual and intellectual pursuits, positioning man as a mediator between the divine and the earthly. This emphasis on human agency contrasted sharply with medieval notions of human limitation, fostering a worldview where human effort and reason could unlock divine-like achievements.

Scientific Revolution and Cosmology

The scientific advances of the Renaissance exemplify the era's spirit of inquiry. Copernicus' heliocentric model challenged the geocentric worldview inherited from antiquity, leading to a scientific revolution that questioned long-held assumptions about the universe. Such discoveries signified a shift from reliance on religious authority toward empirical observation and rational analysis. This transformation had a lasting impact on Western science, paving the way for future breakthroughs and the development of the modern scientific method.

Art and Architecture

In art and architecture, the Renaissance was characterized by a revival of classical forms and a focus on secular, human-centered themes. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo mastered techniques such as perspective, chiaroscuro, and anatomical accuracy, bringing a new realism and depth to their works. The architecture of the period incorporated classical orders and symmetry, exemplified by structures like St. Peter's Basilica. These artistic pursuits reflected the Renaissance's broader cultural values, emphasizing the importance of individual creativity and the exploration of human nature.

Literature and Performing Arts

The literary landscape flourished during this period, with William Shakespeare standing out as a quintessential figure. His plays, informed by classical knowledge, explored complex human emotions and moral dilemmas, breaking away from rigid medieval storytelling. Shakespeare's characters exhibit psychological depth, and his works reflect the Renaissance ideals of individualism and human experience. Similarly, Renaissance music evolved with an increased appreciation for consonance and polyphony, influencing the trajectory of Western music development.

Comparison of Philosophical and Cultural Perspectives

Distinct among Renaissance thinkers were Pico della Mirandola and Machiavelli. Mirandola celebrated human potential and divine free will, advocating for an optimistic view of man's capacity to shape his destiny. In contrast, Machiavelli’s concept of power, exemplified in "The Prince," portrayed a more pragmatic, often ruthless approach to politics, emphasizing deceit and self-interest. These perspectives illustrate the contrasting views on human nature—aspirational versus pragmatic—that coexisted during the Renaissance, shaping modern understanding of ethics, power, and human agency.

Conclusion

The Renaissance was a transformative epoch that reshaped Western thought and culture. Its legacy persists today in scientific inquiry, artistic expression, and philosophical discourse. The era’s emphasis on human potential, coupled with revolutionary discoveries and artistic achievements, laid the groundwork for the modern age. Understanding this period’s multifaceted nature illuminates the roots of contemporary intellectual and cultural practices, highlighting the enduring influence of Renaissance ideals on the evolution of Western civilization.

References

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• King, R. (2000). Renaissance Humanism and the Arts. Oxford University Press.
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