Renaissance Flashcards
What were the causes of the Renaissance?
An explosion of creativity in art and writing, the black plague, war- a series of religious wars that were carried out by Christian crusaders in the Middle Ages, crusades- people who travelled and learned things and educated people, and men and women trying to bring back classical Greece and Rome. They rethought the position of life.
Why did Italy play such a major role in the Renaissance?
It was an ideal breeding ground for the Renaissance with rich merchants, and thriving cities. And Italy’s urban city-states.
Describe the major players of Florence who set the standard of humanist thoughts and actions.
Cosimo de Medici- was a dictator for Florence and won Florence’s government; influenced members of the council by giving them loans. Lorenzo de Medici- kept up the appearance of a government. Petrarach- a law student; poet; his writing were about is idolized love Laura; his writings shaped the modern Italian language. Rich merchants- trading and sponsoring artists
How did the interactions with the Middle East affect the economics of Europe?
When the Hundred Years War between France and England ended, urban merchants became wealthy enough to trade and sponsor artists in Europe.
How did the riches of the East affect the homes, clothing, and food of Europeans?
People became more wealthy so people could afford silk and different fabrics, people tasted spices and sugar for the first time, and people could afford nice things in their houses.
Why were the arts influenced by the classical Greek and Roman style?
The Greek and Roman style gave humanists the ideas about individuality.
Describe the most prominent artists and their subject matter.
Leonardo de Vinci- was interested in how things worked; and painted his discoveries. Michelangelo- used a realistic style to depict the human body. Raphel Sanzio- used perspective to advance realism. Donatello- realistic sculpture.
What types of thoughts were reflected in the works of writers of the Renaissance?
The Renaissance ideal of human dignity reflected in the works of writers. Machiavelli- wrote the Prince (how ruler’s should do whatever is necessary to gain power no matter how cruel it is) Donte- why we have a visual of hell.
Why did the Renaissance not affect Spain or France?
Because they were under strong monarchs and didn’t want the Renaissance ideas or religious changes.
What factors slowed the northward movement of the Renaissance?
a new French king launched an invasion through Northern Italy in 1494 which made artists and writers flee the area. Mountain ranges and riverways stumped traveling.
What was the subject matter of the northern painters?
Northern painters were trying to portray realism, religion, and people. Identified that men should get credit.
What made Desiderius Erasmus the father of northern Humanism?
Erasmus was a Christian humanist who wrote the Prince of Folly. In this book, he criticized merchants, scholars, and priests. He believed in a Christianity of the heart and that all people should study the Bible.
What was the subject matter of Thomas Moore’s Utopia?
The book was about an imaginary place with no greed, corruption, or war. In the book, Utopians had little use of money. Government officials are not out to get things for themselves.
Why was William Shakespeare the most famous Renaissance English writer?
His works display a masterful command of the English language and vernacular and a deep understanding about humans and their flaws.
