Birth of the Renaissance
What changes in society and in cities laid the foundation for the Renaissance?
smaller population, changes in politics, economics, and learning
In what ways was Renaissance art revolutionary?
use of perspective, revealed the subject’s personality
How did Elizabeth I contribute to the Renaissance?
She was well-educated and supported writers and artists.
Why was it important that writers began writing in the vernacular?
more accessible to everyday people, possible to read literature without learning Latin
What characteristics of David and School of Athens indicate that Renaissance artists admired classical works?
David resembles Greek and Roman sculptures; School of Athens portrays Greek scholars and shows Greek architecture.
How did increasing global contact affect Europe?
It exposed Europeans to ideas, inventions, and knowledge from Asia and the Islamic world and reintroduced the knowledge and philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome.
How were Leonardo and Michelangelo alike?
Both were “Renaissance men,” skilled in painting, sculpture, architecture, and engineering.
What can be learned about people’s daily lives from examining the painting Peasant Wedding?
where ordinary people lived, what they ate, how they dressed, how they celebrated
In what ways did Renaissance art connect to
the past?
Copied Greek and Roman styles, created religious works In what ways did it break with the past? increase in secular art, more realistic style, use of vernacular, emphasis on the individual
How was Leonardo da Vinci a “Renaissance man”?
Leonardo was a master painter and sculptor. In addition to art, he studied diverse fields such as anatomy, mathematics, optics, mechanics, geology, and botany. His notebooks, filled with sketches and notes, were proof of his innovation in and mastery of each field of study
How did humanism influence Renaissance ideas?
It focused on people and their achievements, so art and thought became more concerned with the here and now.
Why is it important that writers began writing in the vernacular?
more accessible to everyday people, possible to read literature without learning to
speak Latin
What similarities were there in the works of Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More?
Both wanted to improve society; both believed that greed caused problems.
How did printing and publishing affect social reforms?
made social reforms more widespread because information, including Christian works, was distributed more widely and freely
How do the works of Renaissance artists and architects reflect Renaissance ideas? Explain.
creations reflected a combination of science and art (Leonardo da Vinci), optimism reflected in art and architecture (exploration of light, perspective, color, shape, and dimension), revival of classical arts (Greek and Roman architectural influence, use of human body proportions)
Why did banking develop in the Italian city-states?
The economies of the Italian city-states were based on commerce. Merchants needed to be able to transfer money between different places in order to trade different goods. Banks providing this and other financial services filled this need.
At a time when few women became artists, what might have helped Artemisia Gentileschi in her chosen career?
Because her father was an artist, he may have recognized her talent and supported her interest in becoming an artist herself.
What reasons did humanists give for wanting to reform society?
They wanted people to live a Christian life. To do so they had to give up greed, corruption, and war and provide education for women and children as well as boys and men.
What are two ways that Renaissance writers established trends that are still followed by modern writers?
Many Renaissance writers wrote in their native languages instead of Latin so that people in their own country could read their writings. They also wrote as a way of expressing themselves. Modern writers continue to follow these trends.
How did Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron represent a Renaissance outlook and not a medieval one?
The Decameron reflected a distinctly secular outlook characteristic of the Renaissance. Although some religious topics were present in The Decameron, it avoided the overall serious, religious tone of the medieval period. Instead, it told realistic stories through different individual characters using humor and tragedy.
How were western Europeans able to access ancient Greek texts again?
Ancient Greek texts were preserved throughout the Islamic Empire. Many of these texts were housed in Córdoba, Spain, a center of classical learning in Islamic Spain. Jewish scholars translated these texts, along with commentaries originally written in Arabic, into Latin. Western European scholars could read these translated texts by visiting the libraries there.
How is Machiavelli’s political advice different from the traditional view?
Machiavelli suggests an individualist, pragmatic approach, focusing on the goal of remaining in power. The traditional view recommended an idealistic approach to ruling.
What are two ways in which Shakespeare’s work showed Renaissance influences?
In his work, Shakespeare drew from the classics and displayed a deep understanding of human beings combined with a high idea of human nature.
How did skepticism during the Renaissance affect science and religion?
Humanists began to question ideas and to challenge commonly held beliefs about religion and science. This practice of questioning helped lead to establishing a scientific method and transforming different sciences. Its challenging of religious ideas resulted in upheaval in the Catholic Church.
How would you compare and contrast the impact of the printing press with the impact of the Internet?
information easier to access, changes affect society, more ways to access information today, Internet spreads information faster