Renaissance Lives Notes
1. Petrarch
a. Intellectual and cultural
Cicero and Virgil were important figures in Italy, and they were used as models for the reformation of society.
The Church lost control of its non-religious matters.
People believed that the solution to the problems of the present was solved by focusing on morals.
At the center of the culture of the Renaissance was the need for a change, and the people believed that a revival of past culture could help.
The Church’s power was misused but people were still religious
b. Political and Diplomatic
He took up the role of an ambassador but failed to bring Italy power.
The politics in Italy were influenced very much so by the Catholic Church.
Petrarch wanted the old roman republic to return.
c. Social and Economic
Entrepreneurs wished to have a better society with more humanity
Petrarch held a role in the church, went to law school and also studied medicine.
Writers using their native languages in their literature boosted the literacy ability in the places they went.
Petrarch wanted the Greek and Roman values such as morality and virtue to be instilled into the education system.
2. Jan Hus
a. Intellectual and cultural
Prague was a cultural breeding ground for Germans, Slavs, Jews and Italians.
He studied the arts at Charles University in Prague.
His death by burning at the stake later on caused a rebellion.
In a compromise, the papacy allowed priests of the Hussite Church to give the chalice to the congregation at mass.
b. Political and Diplomatic
He was backed by King Wenceslas in the belief that all doctrine must be based off the bible.
After Wenceslas sided with the Germans in their rivalry against the Czechs, Hus spoke out against the Germans trying to influence Bohemian affairs saying, that Czechs should be the rulers of the Czechs and Germans should be the rulers of Germans.
His political backing from Queen Sophie and Wenceslas, allowed him to make his mark in history.
Hus protested at the popes’ money raising campaign of indulgences, when Wenceslas told Hus to back off or he will not protect him anymore, Hus still pushed forward.
The pope closed all churches, ended all baptisms, marriages, and burials. Hus would not let this general excommunication sit over his people so he left Prague.
c. Social and Economic
Southern Bohemia was run by Feudalism
Became a preist when he was 31.
He became rector of Charles University in 1409.
Excommunicated by the archbishop of Prague for open protest of the burning of Wyclif manuscript.
3. Titian
a. Intellectual and Cultural
Venice had a distinct cultural influence due to the population of Muslims, Jews, Slavs, and Germans.
Art in Venice was based to imitate real life scenery.
Appointed Chief painter to the government of Venice.
Knighted by Charles V unusual for an artist.
b. Political and Diplomatic
Venice was only controlled by a small group of elite patricians.
There were grand processions used to show serenity, unity, and harmony of the citizens.
Titian had political influence now that he was in such a high class.
c. Social and Economic
Venice was at the center of the Mediterranean and fostered trade with other
Artists were respected to the point where they were not of the class of doctors, scholars, or international merchants, but they were ranked higher than the common manual labor trades.
During Titian’s life time the views above changed; Artists were welcomed into the highest social and political circles.
Around 1500 Titian was welcomed into the highest level of European society.
4. Albrecht Durer
a. Intellectual and Cultural
Life in the German areas of the Renaissance was dominated by clusters of thriving and cosmopolitan cities.
Some were independent and although they were not rich they were filled with commerce, learning, and the arts.
Intelligent craftsmen made guns, bullets, bells, toys, locks, and other useful tools.
