Italian and Northern Humanism

Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance on the value of human beings. The idea of humanism started around the early to mid-14th century starting with Petrarch, who is considered to most, as the “father of humanism.” Petrarch’s expertise in the promotion of this study earned him the name as the first great humanist. Humanism first started to become popular in the mid-15th century though during the Italian Renaissance due to many factors but at the same humanism was spreading all throughout Europe and became increasingly popular in Northern Europe, but didn’t spread as fast. With humanism spreading around in different areas of the world it was safe to assume that the teachings and practice of humanism from these areas would also be

The Renaissance, or the reawakening, was the burst of sudden interest in Greek and Roman culture. Artists like Michelangelo, and writers like Shakespeare, were popularised. The Renaissance’s base lied on humanism, or the idea that individuals should pursue their own interests. However, humanism was not exclusive to the Renaissance. Humanism impacted the Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, and Protestant Reformation by encouraging individual thought, causing people to learn from each other, and pressing people to criticise traditions, and authority.

Arguably the greatest and longest impacting movement brought about by the forward thinkers of the Renaissance was humanism. Humanism was a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasized the human potential to attain excellence through direct study of the literature, art, and civilization of the classical Greek and Roman societies (Merriam-Webster). The scholars and believers in humanism sought to change the course of society away from the narrow pedantry of medieval scholasticism and utilitarianism. Humanism was a basic desire for every citizen to be able to speak with eloquence and read and write with clarity, so that common citizens were capable of engaging in the civic life of their communities (Gray). The movement also emphasized the value of a human being as well as the importance of rational thought rather than blind faith in spiritualism or superstition. It also pushed people to explore human desires and pleasures while also enriching their minds. The influential nature of humanism was far reaching and most notable for its effects on Renaissance art, literature, and philosophy.

The renaissance started a humanism movement in Italy that was discovered by classical Greek philosophy. It mainly started in Florence and humanism strengthened and spread among the rest of Europe. “Humanism consisted of a study of classical remains and classical texts, it was not new: medieval scholars had done plenty of that, especially in Italy, where the relics of the classical past lay literally all around” (Cook) It renewed the confidence in the ability of humans to determine what was true and what was false. It was the philosophy of life was that without theism and other supernatural beliefs would lead to ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good for humanity.

Humanism was a very key and important part of the Renaissance outlook on education because it led to a further study of Greek and Roman culture. Humanism led to many Greek and Roman influences on the Renaissance period.

The Italian humanism was able to change an individual's role of society through education, civic humanism, and individualism in art. In the Middle Ages the world was barbaric, but the Renaissance was able to transform many individuals into civilized citizens for their community, civic humanism. Individualism and secularism are both important aspects of the Italian Renaissance that derived itself from humanism.

Humanism played a huge role in the Italian Renaissance as it changed the landscape of the Italians. The definition of Humanism is “an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.” It relation to the Italian humanism It’s the influence of behavior that relate to the goodness of humanity as all humans are good. The Italians were influenced by the romans because the romans have done great things even though in the views of Christian they deserved to go to hell.

One of the main ideas that developed in the Italian Renaissance was Humanism. Humanism started in Italy because the Father of Humanism named Petrarch lived in Italy. Humanism is the idea that humans can attain happiness and should individually strive for achievement in life. A key characteristic of humanism includes a belief in the worth of individual life. Humanistic scholars studied philosophy, literature, and history of classical civilizations.

Thesis: Although Italy, the birthplace of Renaissance humanism did not undergo the Protestant Reformation, through its emphases on the ability of mankind and the necessity to translate, read, and decipher original texts, Renaissance humanism played a major role in paving the way for the Protestant Reformation in other European countries.

From art brought on by the Medici family, to literature produced by some of the most well-known and renowned authors, concepts of humanism emerged. This then resulted in a more positive outlook on life during the Italian Renaissance. Moreover, Francesco Petrarch, the “Father of Humanism,” paved the way for successful eras in Florence, the epicenter of the Renaissance. The conditions of Rome as described by both Baldassare Castiglione and Dante Alighieri crucially inspired the artistic and literary Renaissance of Italy. Reviving Rome lead to a faith in humans, allowing revolutions to build off of the past, as opposed to starting from the beginning. Obviously key factors as demonstrated by the infamous writers Baldassare Castiglione and Dante Alighieri forever and crucially impacted western

Rhiana Bishop CHY4U Mrs.Ritsma September 15th, 2017 Humanism and the Italian Renaissance Many people today do not know what humanism is. Even if they don't what it is, many people in this world are humanist. Humanism is the idea behind humanism is the life on earth can be filled with the value not just items, but abilities and individual worth, as well as that humans, can achieve great things. The humanist movement started with a man named Martin Luther. Luther was a German monk who posted what is now known as the 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg’s Castle (Newman 50). These theses are what started the Reformation and the Renaissance. In the Renaissance was very influenced by the Martin Luther and humanism. The art the writer and the architecture were all majorly influenced by humanism. This is because that it is more acceptable to have beautiful paintings, awe-inspiring novels, and amazing buildings created not just for religious use but for enjoyment. Leonardo DA Vinci (1452-1519), Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), Donato Donatello (1386-1466), Sofonisba Anguissola (c.1532-1625) these are some of the prodigious artist known all over the world. Every one of these artists started in the Renaissance era of art. Each one of these artists created art that still inspires artist today. Before the reformation and humanism came into the picture almost all became famous for the works that they did in the Renaissance. The reason these artists became more famous is the art that is much more lifelike and that captures more detail than the art that came before the Renaissance. Some of the art done in the Renaissance that is still based on belief.in many paintings, in the Medieval era, there were paintings of Mother Mary and baby Jesus they were portrayed as gods. But as they were painted in the Renaissance era, they were painted as average people from that time. Every artist famous or not became very popular with the growing support of humanism. Niccolò Machiavelli, Edmund Spenser, Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More. theses are a few of the famous writers in the Renaissance. The most well known are Thomas More was a well-known humanist at the time. More was trained as a lawyer and he dedicated to the classic learning

The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy around the 1500’s to about the 1700’s. Florence, Italy was the mecca of this rebirth because at the time Florence was extremely wealthy and the people of the city had political freedom and those new ideals of the Renaissance were not being condemned in Florence as they were other cities. This was a time where the arts and the logic of one’s own mind was valued rather than criticized, the antiquated medieval ideals no longer matched the needs of those who were living during the early Renaissance. Eventually, a term for this way of thinking arose and was called Humanism, and what humanism is, is an ideology where humans can lead themselves to create a prosperous life and instead of leaning on supernatural forces for answers. Humanists believe that humans have enough logic to create conclusions themselves. This brand-new way of thinking caused a lot of controversy because it did question God’s ability and the church’s power, but the ideas behind it are still heavily used today, even in the 21st century. Humanism in the early Renaissance is important because it called for thinking with reason, it allowed an appreciation for human body and mind, inspired authors and caused a shift in power.

Humanism describes the emphasis that was revived in the Renaissance when the Liberal Arts were used to distinguish man from beasts. Through letters--or scholarship--was sought a rebirth of spirit and spiritual freedom and justification of the claim to rational autonomy. In essence, the Renaissance was a revival of the capacities and powers of the ancients.

The gigantic effect that education had on Renaissance society was greatly stimulated by the new development of humanism. Humanism was responsible for the curiosity of many intellects during the Renaissance, which ultimately led to the discoveries and developments that made the Renaissance such a remarkable time. It proposed a different way of thinking, unprecedented by scholars. Without humanism and the educational interest that it brought about, the Renaissance would not be known as the explosion of culture that it is considered today.

The philosophy of humanism exerted a new viewpoint on the educational system. The idea that true happiness is the result of eternal salvation was introduced by humanist teachers. The Italian poet Petrarch, delighted in studying the works of Cicero, explained that “when we come to think or speak of religion, that it, of supreme truth and true happiness, and of eternal salvation, then I am certainly not a Ciceronian… but a Christian” (doc.5). Education was important in the creation of well rounded individuals, but humanists believed that religion is the key to true happiness. In addition to their beliefs about the effects of religion on society, humanists promoted the study of language and literature to develop strong social skills. This ultimately broadened every aspect of Renaissance society. Establishing social skills can reward a person with “... the personal satisfaction he will take in this, in this way he will never want for pleasant entertainment with the ladies who are usually fond of such things” (doc.4). Although social transformation