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The Descent Of Mount Ventoux Analysis

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Petrarca’s Ascent of Mount Ventoux gives the reader a deeper understanding of what the image of human thought and psychology was during the time. The writing gives insight into concepts critical to the Renaissance such as awakening, search for self, humanism, meaning of happiness and secularism. Additionally, it tries to understand an individual’s position and duty in the world. The development of inner thought in the writing is unique because it was not present in earlier texts, meaning that there is greater importance being placed on oneself and that one’s thoughts are just as valid and carry just as much weight as the teachings of God. Petrarch cites classical and Early Christian texts as a source to explain his own life…show more content…
He also notes that he read Roman history in which King Philip, who waged war against the Roman people, ascended Mount Haemus in Thessaly, where he claimed that he could see both the Adriatic and Black sea from the summit. Petrarch’s mention that he wants to follow in their footsteps show that he draws no distinction between aristocrat and himself and that he views himself as equal. Petrarch places himself in the shoes of historically significant individuals and tries to relive their experiences. At the top of the mountain, Petrarch has a sudden sense of remorse; he cites to himself how “This day marks the completion of the tenth year since you gave up the studies of your boyhood and left Bologna…How many and how great were the changes you have had to undergo in your moral habits since then”, Petrarch expresses a sense of nostalgia and self-disgust for living a materialistic lifestyle. He is upset that his studies have not adequately prepared him for leading a meaningful life and that he now has nothing to show for his hard work. It is noted that on his way down he did not say a word, which represents the uncorrupted/ pure human thought.
His frequent citation of classical literature throughout the text shows how much antiquity was admired during the Renaissance. Once Petrarch reaches the top he reads the Augustine’s Confessions from which he reads “And men go to admire the high mountains, the vast floods of the sea, the huge streams of the rivers, the circumference
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